Slaithwaite Circular Walk
- Michael Palmer
- Feb 5, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Slaithwaite Circular Walk – 4.99 Miles Through the Colne Valley
Looking for a circular walk around Slaithwaite that can be a good choice when Yorkshire's field paths are muddy? Our 4.99-mile Slaithwaite Circular Walk combines the hills of the Colne Valley with village scenery, industrial heritage and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.
Lyn and I personally walked, photographed and GPS recorded this route for The White Shire.
We'd rate it as easy overall, although there's a steep uphill section near the start that certainly gets the legs working.
Once you've tackled that initial climb, we found the rest of the walk much easier going.
One of the reasons we particularly like this route is that it's a useful option when some of our more rural field walks are extremely muddy.
Slaithwaite Circular Walk at a Glance
Distance: 4.99 miles
Route type: Circular
Difficulty: Easy overall – steep uphill section near the start
Location: Slaithwaite
County: West Yorkshire
Area: Colne Valley
Nearby: Huddersfield, Marsden, Linthwaite and Golcar
Terrain: Paths, tracks, canal towpath and some steep ground
Highlights: Slaithwaite, Colne Valley scenery, Huddersfield Narrow Canal and textile heritage
Good for: A walk when surrounding field paths are particularly muddy
Walked and photographed by: Michael and Lyn Palmer, The White Shire
About Our Slaithwaite Circular Walk
Lyn and I found this a really enjoyable walk.
We'll get the main warning out of the way first.
There's a steep climb near the beginning.
It's not technically difficult, but you'll certainly know you're going uphill.
Take your time and don't let the start put you off, because once you've gained the height, the route becomes much easier.
At 4.99 miles, it's also a nice distance for a morning or afternoon walk.
A Good Walk When the Fields Are Muddy
This was one of the things we particularly liked about the route.
Anyone who regularly walks around Yorkshire knows what some countryside footpaths can become like after weeks of winter rain.
Mud isn't necessarily a problem – it's part of countryside walking – but sometimes you simply don't fancy wading through it for five miles.
This Slaithwaite route can be a useful alternative when some of the surrounding field walks are particularly wet.
That doesn't mean we can guarantee you'll stay completely mud-free. Conditions naturally change with the weather.
But it's certainly a route we'd consider when looking for an alternative to heavily waterlogged field paths.
Where is Slaithwaite?
Slaithwaite sits in the Colne Valley, around five miles west of Huddersfield in West Yorkshire.
Locally, you'll often hear it pronounced “Slawit”.
The village sits amongst the Pennine hills between Huddersfield and Marsden, with the River Colne and Huddersfield Narrow Canal running through the valley.
It's a landscape where Yorkshire's industrial history and surrounding countryside sit side by side.
Slaithwaite: A Brief History
Slaithwaite's history is closely connected with the woollen textile industry.
The wider Colne Valley became internationally known for producing high-quality woollen and worsted cloth, and mills became some of the most prominent buildings in the valley. (Let's Go Huddersfield)
Water provided power for early industry, while later developments in canals and railways made transporting materials and finished goods considerably easier.
The result was a landscape where mills, workers' housing, waterways and steep Pennine countryside existed remarkably close together.
You can still see that mixture today.
Slaithwaite's Textile Heritage
Textiles provided employment for generations of families throughout the Colne Valley.
Mills dominated communities such as Slaithwaite and nearby Marsden.
Although many of those mills no longer manufacture cloth, their buildings remain an important part of the landscape.
Some have found completely new purposes.
Globe Mills in Slaithwaite is one example, having been transformed from its former textile use into a modern mixed business development. (Let's Go Huddersfield)
That's something Lyn and I encounter regularly on our Yorkshire walks – old industrial buildings surviving because they've been adapted rather than demolished.
The Huddersfield Narrow Canal
The Huddersfield Narrow Canal is one of the most interesting features of Slaithwaite.
The canal crosses the Pennines between Huddersfield and Greater Manchester, passing through Slaithwaite and Marsden before reaching the famous Standedge Tunnel.
For industry, waterways such as this provided an efficient way of moving heavy materials and manufactured goods.
Today, the canal has a completely different role.
It's a lovely place for walking.
A Canal Brought Back to Life
The Huddersfield Narrow Canal has its own remarkable story.
After industrial use declined, sections of the canal became derelict.
The Huddersfield Canal Society was formed in 1974 with the ambitious aim of restoring it.
After 27 years of campaigning and restoration work, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal reopened to through navigation in May 2001. (huddersfieldcanal.com)
So when you're enjoying the towpath today, you're walking beside a waterway that could easily have disappeared.
Walking Beside the Canal
After the hills, the canal provides a completely different walking experience.
Towpaths are one of our favourite features on Yorkshire walks.
They're generally easy to follow, there's usually something happening on the water, and the industrial heritage adds interest along the way.
The contrast works particularly well at Slaithwaite.
You've got steep Pennine hills on one part of the walk and relatively gentle waterside walking on another.
Slaithwaite Spa
One piece of Slaithwaite history surprised us.
Slaithwaite was once known as a spa destination.
Mineral springs in the area were commercially developed during the early 19th century, and in 1825 a spa bath and swimming pool opened beside the River Colne and Huddersfield Narrow Canal.
For almost a century, visitors came to Slaithwaite to take the waters, and it was even described in Victorian times as the “Harrogate of the Colne Valley”. (Huddersfield Hub)
It's difficult to imagine when you're walking through the village today.
Slaithwaite Moonraking
Slaithwaite is also famous for its Moonraking tradition.
The story has become part of local folklore and is celebrated through the Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival.
Whatever the precise origins of the tale, it's another example of the strong local identity found throughout the Colne Valley.
For Lyn and me, traditions like this make Yorkshire villages much more interesting than simply somewhere to pass through.
Walking Through the Colne Valley
The Colne Valley provides a dramatic setting for this route.
The valley sides rise steeply from the settlements below, which explains that climb near the start.
But climbing has an advantage.
Views.
Once you've gained some height, you get a much better appreciation of the surrounding landscape.
You can also see how villages, mills, roads, waterways and countryside have all developed within the narrow valley.
Is the Slaithwaite Circular Walk Difficult?
We'd rate our 4.99-mile Slaithwaite Circular Walk as easy overall, but there's an important qualification.
There's a steep uphill section near the beginning.
If you don't regularly walk hills, you'll probably find this section more strenuous.
We simply took our time.
Once we'd completed the initial climb, we found the remainder of the route much easier.
So don't judge the entire walk by the first section.
What is the Terrain Like?
This route is particularly useful when you're trying to avoid extremely muddy field paths.
You'll encounter a mixture of paths, tracks and canal towpath.
That said, this is Yorkshire and we're not promising spotless walking shoes.
Rain, leaves, frost and general weather conditions can still affect surfaces.
We'd always recommend suitable walking footwear.
How Long is the Slaithwaite Circular Walk?
Our GPS-recorded Slaithwaite Circular Walk measures 4.99 miles. (The Whiteshire)
How long it takes depends on your walking pace.
The steep climb at the beginning may slow you down slightly, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
Lyn and I don't rush our walks anyway.
We're normally taking photographs, looking at buildings and stopping whenever something catches our attention.
Is the Slaithwaite Walk Suitable for Beginners?
Possibly, provided you're comfortable tackling the steep climb at the start.
The overall distance is under five miles and we found the majority of the route straightforward.
If you're completely new to walking or struggle with steep gradients, however, the opening section could feel challenging.
Take it steadily and stop when you need to.
Once you're over that section, things become easier.
Is Slaithwaite Worth Visiting?
Definitely.
Slaithwaite has developed into a really interesting Colne Valley destination.
The canal runs through the village, historic textile buildings remain prominent and there are independent shops, cafés and places to eat and drink.
That means you can easily combine the walk with spending some time exploring the village itself.
Slaithwaite also has good transport connections, including its railway station. (Let's Go Huddersfield)
What Else Can You Explore Near Slaithwaite?
Marsden is the obvious nearby destination.
The Huddersfield Narrow Canal connects the two villages, and continuing towards Marsden eventually brings you to Standedge Tunnel.
Huddersfield lies in the opposite direction.
The wider Colne Valley also provides plenty more opportunities for walking, particularly if you don't mind tackling some proper Yorkshire hills.
Explore More West Yorkshire Walks
If you've enjoyed our Slaithwaite route, Lyn and I have personally explored plenty more walks throughout West Yorkshire.
Or browse our complete Yorkshire collection:
Looking for somewhere else to visit?
About Michael and Lyn
Michael and Lyn Palmer explore Yorkshire together on foot, personally walking, photographing and GPS recording the routes featured on The White Shire.
Our walking guides combine our first-hand experience with practical information, local history and the character of the villages, towns and countryside we discover along the way.
We're not professional hikers. We simply enjoy getting out together, finding somewhere interesting to walk and discovering more of Yorkshire as we go.
Slaithwaite is exactly the sort of place we enjoy.
There's countryside, industrial heritage, a canal, an interesting village and enough climbing to make you feel like you've earned the easier sections.
Slaithwaite Circular Walk
Our GPS-recorded Slaithwaite Circular Walk measures 4.99 miles.
Lyn and I would rate it as easy overall, but be prepared for a steep uphill section near the start.
Take your time on that first climb.
Once you've got it behind you, the route becomes much easier and you can enjoy the Colne Valley scenery and the gentler canal-side sections.
It's also a route we'd consider when Yorkshire's field paths have become particularly muddy.
For us, the combination of hills, canal, village and industrial heritage makes this a very enjoyable way to explore Slaithwaite on foot.
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