Walking (moderate)

Status:	Active, open to new members
Leader:	Moderate Walking Group
Group email:	Walking (moderate) group
When:	Weekly on Thursday mornings 10:00 am

Walks will generally start at 10:00 unless otherwise shown (to fit in with public transport).

Walks generally run every week on a Thursday & are anything between 6.5 and 9 miles long over usually hilly terrain. (see programme below & examples of some elevation profiles in photos above). We usually walk at an average pace of around 2 to 2.5 miles per hour. The ‘walks’ are suited to people who are used to hiking.

Map numbers refer to the Ordnance Survey 1:25000 range of maps. Estimated durations do not include lunch or other breaks.

Our walks have an experienced leader who will ensure no-one gets left behind. The u3a provides third party insurance for members on the walks but does not cover personal accident/injury - we are all responsible for our own safety.

Stout walking boots or at the very least good walking shoes are recommended and poles are always useful. Always come prepared for the terrain and weather (waterproofs!) Winter walking particularly can be very muddy!

Our walks can sometimes be quite strenuous and are mostly suitable for people with some experience of hilly terrain. If you are wanting less strenuous walks, you may be interested in the Walking (easy) group (this group usually walk for around 2 hours, covering 3-4 miles on routes involving some hills and stiles but avoiding anything too strenuous).

For more information, or if you would like to join the Moderate Walking group, please email the group coordinator at: u3amoderatewalkinghv@outlook.com

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If you are not sure which group would be best for you, drop a line to noreply@u3abeacon.org.uk who will put you in touch with relevant group leaders.

U3A Moderate Walks Programme

11th June Sandy Cooke’s Study / Holme Moss / Holmfirth

Meet at the bus station in Holmfirth at 10.00 to catch the 29 bus to Snittle Gate. We will walk up to Cook's Study, past the shooting butts and on to Holme Moss. From there the walk goes over the moors to Issues Road and then back to Holmfirth. It is very muddy/boggy in places so good boots and walking poles are recommended. Total elevation gain is 212m.

If the weather is wet/windy, there will be an alternative walk at a lower level.

The walk is about 9 miles in total but it is possible to cut off into Holme Village and catch the 314 at 14.27 or 15.24 or the H7 at 14.18 or 15.18.

18th June Cathy Oxspring

10 am start from Oxspring Sports Field, Sheffield Road, S36 8AY. Grid ref SE272019
8.5 miles
1,221 ft elevation gain

25th June Anthea Marsden

CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS

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Walking Programme July-September 2026

2nd July Robin Brooklands to Broadstone

Meet at Brooklands Nursery, Brooklands, Scholes, Holmfirth HD9 1UJ

Brooklands to Broadstone Reservoir and back, a distance of about eight and a half miles.

Refreshments in Brooklands cafe afterwards.

9th July John & Susie Morton Wood Circular (amended for weather conditions)

Walk Leaders: Susie and John

Start: New Mill car park 10am

Route: From New Mill through the woods to Hepworth, through Morton Wood on the Kirklees Way. The walk will be a short one - up to Little Cake at the top of Morton woods where we will return using the HVC walk - about 5 miles.

Distance: approx 5 miles, fairly easy walking.

16th July NO WALK VOLUNTEERED

23rd July Anthea Dowry Castle and Castleshaw

Brun Clough car park (on left of A62 beyond Marsden, postcode OL3 5LT) along Millstones Edge to the sites of Dowry Castle and Castleshaw Roman fort. 7 miles .

30th July Lesley Blackpool Bridge Circular 

Walk leader: Lesley Rattigan Tel: 07736176757

 Meet: Meet 10.00am in the car park in the quarry on the north side of Digley Dam, GR OL 1 111 073.

Walk details: A moderate walk to Blackpool Bridge round from Digley, with a lunch stop in Holme village.

Length and difficulty:

 6.5 miles

Terrain:

 There could be mud in places. A walking pole is useful but not essential.

6th August Judith. Honley - Castle Hill - Farnley Tyas

Meet for 10.00 start in Honley Station yard. HD9 6LD secret.cheese.bike

Parking in Station Road (school holidays) or at the bottom of Gynn Lane where the walk will finish. 

  We will climb up to Castle Hill through Upper Park Wood Nature Reserve, by Stirley Farm and through Hall Bower. Then on to Farnley Tyas by way of the Farnley Estate. Return via Ludhill Farm, West Wood and the railway line. 

  The terrain is woods, fields and quiet roads. Views in all directions. 

Distance: About 6.5 miles

Elevation: 1000 ft

Estimated time: 4 hours

13th August

20th August Cathy

27th August Debbie

3rd September

10th September Jo & Sandy

17th September Debbie

24th September

1st October John & Susie

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I am always in the process of updating the page with our walks programme as people get back to me with details. This is an on-going process as leaders always update me with the latest details after doing a recce of their walk closer to the date of their walk.

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