The IOU Hostel is perfectly placed for an outdoor break – walking, running or wheeling
Hebden Bridge is surrounded by footpaths, bridleways and historic packhorse trails that cut across the valley from the tops of the moors to rivers running through the valley bottom. The South Pennine landscape offers something for all levels of ability, whether you are looking for a gentle walk or stopping over in the town as part of a longer trail ride.
The IOU Hostel sits just off the Pennine Way Hebden Bridge Loop, and we also play host to the Montane Spine Race team when they make their way across the Pennines every January
The Hostel is also a designated Active Hub, supported by West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Our Digital Active Hub helps signpost residents and guests to local activities and groups – helping everyone to get outdoors
Here are some suggestions for routes from or close by to the Hostel to help you plan your trip
Family Friendly Walks
If you want ideas of ways to enjoy this area and the outdoors with kids and their little legs, Little Legs offers free online resources for walking and outdoor adventures with young children in Calderdale.
Run by a local parent and Hebden Bridge resident, Little Legs shares favourite walks, hidden gems and ideas, with easy-to-follow routes and lots of tips with some great options only a stone’s throw from IOU Hostel.
The Heart of the Pennines website brings together a searchable list of over 100 walks.
From accessible walks mainly on the flat to longer trails including the Calderdale Way, the Pennine Way, The Todmorden Centenary Way and the Trans-Pennine Rochdale Canal. Visit their website and use the filters to select the right walk for you.
This exhibition at the IOU Hostel features work from the renowned photographer Charlie Meecham.
Later in 2026 each image will have a QR code linking to walks in around each location – many which can be reached direct from the Hostel. More information coming soon
Check Out These Useful Websites
Walking in Calderdale – from the high moors to town centre, this is full of inspiration for an active day out
Calderdale offers several excellent wheelchair-accessible walks, ranging from town-centre strolls to woodland tracks and nature reserves. Top options include the wide estate track at Hardcastle Crags, the flat paths at Cromwell Bottom, and level trails at Ogden Water
Hiker – app – A hiking toolkit for discovery, planning and navigation.
Routes for Roads, Mountains and Families
Cycle Calderdale wants you to ‘release your inner cyclist.’ This great website is a community partnership with Calderdale Council Their aim is to help everyone get the most from Calderdale as a cycling destination for all abilities, by allowing local cyclists the ability to share their inside knowledge of the area.
The Hostel has a bike cleaning station and 7 purpose built bike storage units on site. Each bike storage is able to accommodate up to two adult bikes, subject to size.
The bespoke metal storage units contain a bike locking bar, electric points for charging ebikes, hat hooks, CCTV coverage and individual code locking mechanisms. Book online to reserve a bike storage unit for your stay.
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