The most iconic symbol of Upper Calder Valley’s skyline, Stoodley Pike monument dominates the surrounding Pennine landscape for miles and miles.
Peering over Todmorden and Hebden Bridge, the structure is found at the summit of Stoodley Pike hill and continues to be one of West Yorkshire’s most popular rambling destinations.
Attracting droves of visitors each and every year, the monument is only accessible on foot with numerous walking routes available from the nearby towns of Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd.
How high is Stoodley Pike?
Stoodley Pike is a 400-metre (1,300 ft) hill situated in the South Pennines of West Yorkshire, while Stoodley Pike Monument sits atop of this hill – standing at a further 37 metres (121 ft) high.
Easily visible on the horizon for miles around, it’s even possible to spot the monument from as far as Halifax and Bradford!
Why was Stoodley Pike Monument Built?
Designed in 1854 by local architect James Green, Stoodley Pike Monument was finished in 1856 when peace was officially declared at the end of the Crimean War.
Unknown to many ramblers however, an earlier commemorative structure actually existed at the top of Stoodley Pike way before the one we see today.
Started in 1814 to commemorate the defeat of Napoleon and the surrender of Paris, the original monument was completed in 1815 after the Battle of Waterloo; marking the end of the Napoleonic Wars.
Standing strong on top of Stoodley Pike for just shy of 40 years, it unfortunately collapsed in 1854 after a lightning strike and years of heavy weathering from the elements.
Can you go inside Stoodley Pike?
Yes! Stoodley Pike Monument is open to visitors and contains a 39-step staircase spiralling up to the top where you can take in the gorgeous moorland views on offer.
Please be cautious during the climb however, since the stairs are quite narrow and it can get pretty dark due to the monument having no windows. To err on the safe side, the National Trail actually recommends bringing a torch along.
To enjoy the views from the tip of Stoodley Pike however, you’ll first have to lace up those walking boots since the only way to reach the monument is on foot!
Stoodley Pike Walk (From Hebden Bridge) – Route Info
Route Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Distance: 10km (6 miles)
Route Time: 2-3 hours
Start and Finish Point: Hebden Bridge, HX7 6AA
With several routes to choose from, our personal favourite has always been the circular trek from Hebden Bridge.
It’s a cracking countryside trail and finishing the hike in Hebden Bridge means you can always treat yourself to some good pub-grub in centre afterwards.
With Hebden Bridge officially being the first town to join the ‘Walkers are Welcome’ program, Stoodley Pike Circular is actually one of the main routes promoted by the scheme.
‘Walkers are Welcome’ is simply an initiative started in 2007 with the sole purpose of encouraging towns to be as welcoming towards walkers as possible.
One of its main goals is to ensure public footpaths well-maintained and well-signposted – so safe to say you should have no trouble navigating your way around this trek!
For a detailed step-by-step breakdown of the trail, be sure to check out the National Trail PDF here.
FAQs
How long is the Stoodley Pike walk?
Depending on your pace and how long you’d like to spend at the top of Stoodley Pike, average finishing times for this walk usually fall in the 2-3 hours range.
How difficult is the Stoodley Pike walk?
With the Stoodley Pike walk from Hebden Bridge coming it at just 10 kilometres (6 miles), the ramble isn’t too taxing but definitely far enough to get a good workout in.
The incline segment up Stoodley Pike may prove a little arduous for those who aren’t really accustomed to walking, but it’s still more than doable for the vast majority of people without much issue.
Who owns Stoodly Pike?
Situated on Langfield Common, which is classed as a Special Conservation Area (SCA), Stoodley Pike is the responsibility of Calderdale Council.
Where to park for Stoodley Pike?
If you’re taking the Stoodley Pike hike from Hebden Bridge, simply park up in the centre of the village. Some of the main carparks in town include:
| Car Park | Address |
| St. Pol Square Car Park | St. Pol Square, Hebden Bridge HX7 8EX |
| Garden Street Car Park | Garden St, Hebden Bridge HX7 8AQ |
| Station Rd Car Park | Station Rd, Hebden Bridge HX7 8AU |
| Market Place Car Park | 4 St George’s St, Hebden Bridge HX7 7BX |
Further Resources
For more great walks in the vicinity of Stoodley Pike, be sure to trawl through our blog post on the ‘Best Walks In Hebden Bridge’!
Happy walking 🚶🚶
