Directions to Grassington Lead Mines:

These instructions are to be used alongside a map.

1. Wherever you manage to park in Hebden, you need to head to the road bridge crossing Hebden Beck, and then start your walk on High Green, which will lead you out of the village and towards Hole Bottom (a tiny hamlet with a name that always makes me chuckle.) This part of the walk is along a very quiet country lane. You may experience a vehicle or two, so be wary of this (although the last time we walked here, we saw none!)

2. After around 800 yards, you will see a footpath sign and gate to your right. The footpath is marked Edge Top, and here is your detour if you want to see Scale Haw Force, which is located on Hebden Beck. It’s about a 2 minute walk to the stepping stones and 2 minutes back.

3. Once you have seen the waterfall, head back to the lane, and continue on as far as Hole Bottom. There is a collection of holiday cottages in this very pretty hamlet, you simply need to follow the tarmacked lane to the 5 bar gate which gives you access to the little packhorse bridge crossing the beck. Head through it, cross the bridge and carry on along the wide and obvious track (I think it was an old miners track).

4. You will pass through several gates, and a little waterfall on your right. Dependant on the time of year, this waterfall can be spectacular or virtually invisible! In the summer it’s almost entirely engulfed by ferns, so don’t be surprised if you pass it by! After around 3/4 of a mile, you will come across the remains of some of the old mine workers buildings, which are worth an explore! After this point, head through the gate.

5. Shortly after, the path splits into two, at this stage, both will lead you to the new footbridge (January 2026 update) which you will be able to clearly see. The path along the beck is easier as long as it is not too wet!

6. Continue along the clear obvious track that follows the beck. This time, the water will be to your right. In about half a mile, the path begins to move away from the water. At this point, you will see the remains of a disused kiln on your left (pictured above). Shortly after this, the path makes a sharp hairpin turn to the left, then to the right, and the path will climb up towards a wall. Here, you need to head through the gate, along the stony track and into the Grassington Lead Mining Trail.

7. The Lead Mining Trail is a historical monument and protected site. You can take in as much or as little of the waymarked trail as you like. There are information boards dotted around the area to tell you all about the lead mining industry here in the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries. There are the remains of old buildings, shafts and spoil heaps, still visible today.

8. You can do as much of the trail as you like, but head back to the pictured walled road (pictured above with a jumping kid!). This is found shortly after your arrival on the trail on your left. Head back here when you have done. Walk through the walled section, and to your right you will see the remains of the Wheel House (it is number 10 on the trail). From here head behind it, to the next information board. Follow the path round to the right and upwards. You will see a large circular metal grill over a shaft and the information board 8 Beever’s Engine Shaft. This is where the route instructions continue.

9. To the right of Beever’s Engine Shaft is a wide track, follow this as it heads out of the main trail area in the rough direction of Hebden. It heads through a dry stone wall and onto open moorland. The track is still wide, but is grassy. Look to your left and you will see a ladder stile over the wall. The track that you are on looks as though it continues, but here, turn left and head to the ladder stile.

10. Cross this and then across the surfaced access track. Don’t turn onto it, it is the road to the farm, but cross over it. On the other side, you will see a wooden way-marker post near the edge of the road. Head in the direction of this and continue along the path. Shortly ahead, you will be able to make out the next ladder stile over the wall.

11. In the next field, look slightly to the right and you will see a gate in the wall up ahead, this is the gate out of the field. Head in that direction and go through it. Then turn right, keeping the wall to your right. The path leads you to a farm building and then onto a walled track, continue along this, passing High Garnshaw house on your left.

12. Shortly after you will reach a cross roads, where you need to bear left. You will see Hebden appearing again on your left. There is a wall to your left, follow this until you see a five bar gate ahead. On your left here is another ladder stile over the wall, cross this, then head straight on in the next field to the gate in the wall at the bottom in the corner to your right. Go through the gate and turn left. Follow the footpath keeping the wall closely on your left, until you reach another gate and signpost for Hebden.

13. From here you need to head diagonally right across the middle of the field (ignoring the ladder stile across the wall on your left) to the small squeeze in the wall to your right. Turn left, follow the line of the wall on your left to a further ladder stile in the wall up ahead. Cross this.

14. In the next field you are going diagonally right across the middle of the field to the opposite corner. You can see Hebden ahead and you are headed to the corner of the field nearest the village. Go through the gate onto the lane, then turn right and head back to the main road in Hebden. Turn left onto the main road passing the pub on your left before reaching your start point again!

Last walked January 2026