Yorkshire Divide Headwaters Trail 2025

The Headwaters Trail connects bridleways and quiet lanes on a 325km circular route that takes you to the ‘head of the waters’ – the source – of the River Calder, the River Aire and the River Don high up on the moors of the Yorkshire Dales, Peak District and South Pennines and out across the Aire Valley and Southern Washlands.

The trail takes you from Hebden Bridge along the canal towpath up through the oak woodland on the steep valley slope and north onto superb moorland trails on millstone grit. We ride across rolling hills in the South Pennines and on the long route climb up onto limestone ridges to arrive at Malham Tarn and onto Mastiles Lane.

The Headwaters Trail is not all moorland and Pennine hills as the route uses the towpath for a long easy ride on the Leeds – Liverpool canal, past the spectacular Five Rise Locks at Bingley and onto the docks in Leeds city center. From here we travel south following the thick blue watery vein that is the River Aire along many miles of flat cycle paths to arrive at Castleford and then on through woods, fields, the edges of modern industrial estates to arrive at a World Heritage Site that celebrates our mining heritage at Elsecar.

Turning west we head to the gem that is Wharncliffe Woods with its fast flowing gravel tracks as good as any trail center and onto a reclaimed railway line to Penistone where there are excellent cafes to sample. Another dozen miles and you arrive at our second campsite on a working farm.

We are now at the edge of the Peak District and we make a line due north the highlight being the long flowing descent down Wessenden Valley and into Marsden. The finish line at Mytholmroyd is a few hours ride away.

There is a self supported bikepacker entry option of a supported campsite option. The GPX route file is on the YD website so riders can have a DIY adventure.

Every epic adventure needs support and so we will have a hub where riders gather, sign on, have a cup of tea / coffee and fuel up on porridge pots, toast and home made flapjacks.

HQ will be at Mytholmroyd Community Center with its easy access to the bike trail, proximity to the train station and large free car / van parking. The starting line will be at the front of the community center. There is a well equipped kitchen that we use to prepare your Monday ‘pie n peas’.