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Hardcastle Crags is a wooded Pennine valley of more than 400 acres near Hebden Bridge, where tumbling streams, waterfalls and stacks of millstone grit shelter the northern hairy wood ant. At its heart stands Gibson Mill, built in 1805 as one of the first cotton mills of the Industrial Revolution and now, with no link to the national grid, the Trust's flagship sustainable building, housing the Weaving Shed Cafe, a volunteer-run second-hand bookshop and changing exhibitions. Four Trust trails of 1.25 to 3 miles sample its 15 miles of footpaths, from the riverside Mill walk with its stepping stones to the Railway Trail along the old line laid to build the reservoirs on the tops. Dogs are welcome under close control in the woodland and on a lead in the courtyard, cafe and ground floor of the mill, with leads required from March to July for nesting birds. Reviewers say the paths are rocky and slippery after rain, so wear boots, and advise arriving early because the pay-and-display car parks at Midgehole and Clough Hole fill quickly; both take coins only, members park free, and the climb to the mill from Clough Hole is steep.
Due to forecast high winds, Gibson Mill, the Weaving Shed Café and toilets will be closed on Sunday 25 Oct. We advise against entering the woodland, as no staff will be on site. We hope to reopen on Monday 26 Oct, subject to post-storm safety checks.
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Dog friendly
1.25 miles (2km), moderate, 1 hour, from Lower Midgehole car park (grid ref SD988291, pay and display, members free, coins only) to Gibson Mill along the stream, crossing stepping stones. Mostly well-maintained path with narrow sections that become wet and slippery by the stream and some uneven rocky ground.
Dog friendly
1.25 miles (2km), moderate, 30 minutes, from Upper Midgehole car park (grid ref SD987291, pay and display, members free) through a stand of pines to the Slurring Rock outcrop with views over the Hebden Valley. Some uneven paths and steep climbs; not suitable for wheelchairs.
Dog friendly
2 miles (3.2km), moderate, 1 hour, from Gibson Mill (grid ref SD972298) along the edge of a mill dam and close to the stream, past cliffs, waterfalls and beech woods. Stony path, very uneven in places, a stream crossing on stepping stones that can be unstable or slippery when water levels rise, muddy riverside sections after rain; not suitable for wheelchairs. Gibson Mill has no general parking: walk from Midgehole or Clough Hole car parks (steep from Clough Hole), Blue Badge holders may pre-book a space at the mill.
Dog friendly
3 miles (4.8km), challenging, 2 hours, circular from Gibson Mill (grid ref SD972298) through woods, alongside the stream and dams and along the higher slopes, partly on the old railway used to build the reservoirs on the tops. Uneven, narrow paths with steep climbs and descents, a stepping-stone stream crossing and muddy sections; not suitable for wheelchairs. Parking as for the Crags Constitutional walk.
