Scotland
Affric Kintail Way
Coming soon
- On trail 16.1 mi 25.8 km
- Walking time 7–8 h
- Ascent 920 m 3,000 ft
- Descent 830 m 2,700 ft
- Difficulty Moderate
Up out of the Calder and across the Brontë moors to Ickornshaw.
Section 4: Calder Valley to Ickornshaw map
Cross-check: Pennine Way route description on National Trails . The walk follows that page's sixteen days, checked 17 October 2026. Distance and climb are measured on our line between these ends, not taken from its mile figures.
The walk
A cruel climb out of the Calder Valley, through pastures full of lambs in spring, starts the day. Then the mood changes: the yellow grasses of Heptonstall Moor, the Walshaw Dean reservoirs, and the moor to Top Withins, the ruined farmhouse thought to have inspired Wuthering Heights. The path drops to Ponden Reservoir near Haworth, then climbs again over the bleaker Ickornshaw Moor to Cowling and Ickornshaw. Some of these landscapes, says the official guide, seem especially dreamy and ruminative.
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Start of section
Calder Valley
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Heptonstall Moor
After the climb out of the Calder, a long stretch of open moor, yellow with grass in late summer, toward the Walshaw Dean reservoirs.
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Top Withins
A ruined farmhouse high on the moor, thought to have inspired Wuthering Heights. A good place to stop and take in the empty country around it.
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Off route: Haworth
Ponden
The path drops to Ponden Reservoir. Haworth, the Brontës' village, is about a mile away; Ponden Hall is the night on our longer plans.
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Ickornshaw Moor
A bleaker climb and a last moor before the path comes down to Cowling and Ickornshaw, at the edge of the Aire valley.
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End of section
Ickornshaw
Section 4: Calder Valley to Ickornshaw overview
The ground
- Steep start
- Open moor
- Reservoirs
Two moors and Brontë country, with a steep start. Relatively undemanding for the Pennine Way, says the official guide, but the climb out of the valley is steep and both moors need care in cloud.
Stops
Refreshments
- The official guide mentions a legendary little shop and a pub on the way. Haworth
- a little off route near Ponden
- has cafés
- shops and beds. Ickornshaw and Cowling have few beds; the stays on our line are self-catering
Toilets
- No source used for this section names a public toilet
Before you go
Opposite direction
Ickornshaw to Calder Valley
Walked north to south, you climb from Ickornshaw over Ickornshaw Moor, drop to Ponden, cross the Brontë moor past Top Withins and Heptonstall Moor, and finish with a steep descent into the Calder Valley.
End of section
Calder Valley
Calder Valley to Ickornshaw FAQ
Is Top Withins really Wuthering Heights?
It is the ruin thought to have inspired the house in the novel. The Pennine Way passes right by it on the moor between Walshaw Dean and Ponden.
Can I stay in Haworth?
Yes. It is a little off route with a good range of facilities, and some walkers stay there. On our longer plans the night is Ponden, about a mile from Haworth.
Where do I stay at Ickornshaw?
Ickornshaw and Cowling have few beds, and the stays on our line are self-catering, so carry supper in and check that your bag can be left. Book early.
Can I download a GPX for Calder Valley to Ickornshaw?
Yes. Use the GPX button at the top of this page. It is this section's line, for Garmin, Komoot, or your phone. Open the planner if you want a file built around your overnight stops.
Walk this as a day
Ends Day 4 on the 15-day. Open the planner on that preset, then export a full-trip or per-day GPX.
Open in planner Read the 15-day itinerary
Full-trip and per-day GPX files. Free, no account.
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