Scotland
Affric Kintail Way
Coming soon
- On trail 13.9 mi 22.4 km
- Walking time 6–7 h
- Ascent 310 m 1,000 ft
- Descent 640 m 2,100 ft
- Difficulty Moderate
Over the M62 and Blackstone Edge to Stoodley Pike and the Calder.
Section 3: Standedge to Calder Valley map
Example stay Badger Fields
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
"The worst part of the journey is behind you," wrote Wainwright: "from now on the Pennine Way can be enjoyed." From Standedge the path follows the moor edges north, crosses the M62 on a high footbridge, and climbs to the gritstone of Blackstone Edge. After a pub on the A58 it follows flat reservoir drains for miles, under the eye of the stone monument on Stoodley Pike, then drops into the Calder Valley between Hebden Bridge and Todmorden.
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Start of section
Standedge
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The M62 footbridge
The Way crosses England's highest motorway on a slender footbridge, traffic roaring below, then climbs onto the moor beyond.
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Navigation in cloud
Blackstone Edge
A line of gritstone boulders along the moor edge. In cloud, follow the cairns and poles; in clear weather the views run west over the Manchester plain.
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Lunch
The pub on the A58
One of the few places to eat on the stretch, where the path meets the road below Blackstone Edge. Then the long, flat reservoir drains begin.
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Stoodley Pike
A stone monument on the moor edge that watches the whole second half of the day, then the steep drop through fields and woods to the Calder.
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End of section
Calder Valley
Section 3: Standedge to Calder Valley overview
The ground
- Gritstone edge
- Level tracks
- Reservoirs
Edges and level drains, with traffic never far away. Easier than the two days before it, with plenty of flat walking. Less scenic too, in the official guide's view, until the views open over the Calder Valley.
Stops
Refreshments
- The official guide names a pub and
- probably
- a snack van on the way; the pub is on the A58 below Blackstone Edge. Hebden Bridge
- about 1 mile (1.6 km) off route
- has shops
- cafés and beds
Toilets
- No source used for this section names a public toilet
Before you go
Opposite direction
Calder Valley to Standedge
Walked north to south, you climb out of the Calder Valley to Stoodley Pike, follow the drains past the reservoirs to the pub on the A58, cross Blackstone Edge and the M62, and finish on the moor at Standedge, where there is one bed on the line.
End of section
Standedge
Standedge to Calder Valley FAQ
Where do I stay in the Calder Valley?
Hebden Bridge has the most beds, about 1 mile (1.6 km) off route. Blackshaw Head, Jack Bridge and Colden are on the far side: a longer day, but tomorrow starts at the top of the climb. Mankinholes, before the valley, makes the day shorter. Our plans use Badger Fields at Blackshaw Head.
Is Standedge to the Calder Valley a hard day?
No. It has plenty of flat walking on drains and edges, and only Blackstone Edge needs care in bad weather. The steep part is the drop to the valley at the end.
Can I download a GPX for Standedge to Calder Valley?
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
Day 3 on the 15-day carries on up to Blackshaw Head. 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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