Leg 3 - Calderdale Way Relay

From Ewood Lane at the far end of Centre Vale Park (SD 929249) turn left into Burnley Road (A646) and walk to the end of the playing fields.

Cross the road and go up Stoney Royd Lane, under a railway arch along a track up to Stannally Farm. Continue round the farm buildings following the unmade road as it zig-zags uphill to a gate onto the moor below Stannally Stones.

Follow the road, bearing right up to Rake Hay Farm. Go round the left side of the farm, then bear left uphill on a walled track.

Turn right onto an old packhorse road and go through three gates and below Whirlaw Stones up on the left. Cross Whirlaw Common on the causey stones to a walled bridleway and on the right East Whirlaw Farm; turn right down to a bridge over Wickenberry Clough.

Ignore the lane to the cottages (Latchford) on the left, and ignore the link path to Todmorden on the right, but go forwards up a walled track for about 30 yards to a small step-stile on the left. Go through this stile.

Go straight ahead over the next stile. Keeping the wall on the left follow the path over three more stiles alongside the fairway of Todmorden Golf Club to Hey Head Lane, a metalled road from Cross Stone.

Turn left up the road and through the next gateway on the right. Keep to the left of East Hey Head farm and behind all the clutter is the style. Carry on through two more stiles to an overgrown cutting, then straight across onto Law Hill.

Note the tower of Cross Stone Church below on the right and follow the waymarking, bearing gradually left over the brow of the hill (compass bearing 065 degrees) to a stone wall and stile (SD 949257).

Go through this stile and another on the opposite side of a walled lane; keep to the left of the fencing past Killup Farm and follow a wall to the next stile into another overgrown lane.

Continue forwards over a stile, following the path round a hillside over a stream by a holly bush. Then at the next holly bush bear sharp left uphill and detour round the back of Higher Birks Farm.

Traverse up the hill to the walled path and onto a metalled road where left and right turns lead to Great Rock. Here is a fine view of the valley with Mankinholes and Stoodley Pike predominant.

Keep alongside the wall noting in the distance Heptonstall Church and Old Town and to the right in the valley an unexpected view of Hebden Bridge.

On reaching a ladder stile look for a cairn and steep steps to the road below.

NEW FINISH. At Blackshaw Head (end of leg 3) on reaching the road at Hippins Bridge do not follow the Calderdale Way Route. Instead turn left up the road to Blackshaw Head and at the junction turn right on Badger Lane, then take Old Shaw Rd passing with the church on your right and turn right down Chapel Lane to the changeover, crossing the timing mat together. Continue to meet your outbound runners further down the lane. Leave the lane at the bottom.

Runners must not congregate on either Old Shaw Road or Badger Lane to keep these free for traffic. Non runners should only spectate at the top end of the lane above the changeover. The local residents have again kindly agreed to provide tea, coffee and cakes for a small charge, please try and take advantage of their hospitality (proceeds to a cancer charity).