Explore Ryburn
A good hearty walk for avid explorers, this route weaves through woods and fields in the Ryburn Valley between Ryburn and Baitings Reservoirs. There are great opportunities to stop for breath along the way, to admire the views which are both magnificent and varied.
Facilities
Useful Downloads
Need an easier walk?
We try to make our reservoirs as accessible as possible. Part of our Ryburn walk (between points 1 and 8 in the walking guide) has wide, surfaced tracks with no steps or stiles. The rest of this walk follows steep and uneven paths.You can find our more by reading our walking guide.
Details
Location
West of Ripponden.
Difficulty
3 out of 4
Route length
2.5 miles
Walking time
2 hours
Terrain & gradient
Varied terrain - some established footpaths, but many unsurfaced sections through woods and fields over rough and uneven ground. There are some steps, stiles and narrow gates. Much of the walk can be boggy and muddy at wetter times of year. Includes a section of steep climbing (about 250m long). We recommend
sturdy walking boots.
How to get there
By car
You can use our free car park (HX6 4LD), which is near the reservoir dam wall and is the starting point of this walk (point 1 on the walk guide). To get to here, turn off the A58 just over a mile south west of Ripponden, onto Swift Lane. After about 300m you will reach the bottom of the lane, where the car park is on your left.
By public transport
Rochdale Road Swift Place bus stop is just at the top of Swift Lane, which leads down to the starting point of this walk. Rochdale road Nursery Lane bus stop is on the opposite side of the road if you are travelling in the other direction. Please take care as you walk down Swift lane, as it is not pavemented.
Visitor information
To keep everyone happy and safe, please:
- follow government guidance
- don’t swim
- take your litter home
- stick to the path
- keep your dog on a lead
- clean up after your dog
- don’t light fires or BBQs.
Make a day of it
While you're here, why not try another walk?
| Walk | Distance | Difficulty | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 miles | 2 out of 4 |
|
|
| 2 miles | 3 out of 4 |
|
