Best Foot Forward: Catherine Slack to Shelf

Map Co-ordinates: SE 090285

Turn right into Swalesmoor Road at its junction with the A647.

After about 100 yards turn left opposite the Croft, over a stile and down a steep track with high walls either side, bearing left and right past a thick branch of holly to another stile,

bearing left down a slight gulley above the ruins of Water Scout.

Continue diagonally left and forwards from a stone gatepost to another patch of holly, avoiding the spoil heap on your right.

Turn sharp left through a gap in the holly near an electricity pole where another stile leads onto another path.

This path is narrow in places and can be icy in winter.

Follow this to the end where a stile leads you to a junction. In the distance is Scout Hall.

From here take the path to the left, follow the stream to the bridge at the bottom.

This can be icy as well in winter so take care.

Cross the bridge and climb the steep stairs to a gate at the top.

Turn right on to Simm Carr Lane towards Dam Head. As you follow this road towards the bend in the road, pause here and look over to your right at the ruins of Scout Hall and the quiet seclusion of the Shibden Valley.

Continue a little further until you spot a white gate on your right just after a newly built house.

Look to your left to where the path now follows the route through fields to Adders Gate.

Go through the gate, being careful as you pass through the farm to the main road.

At the junction, ignore the road to your left and continue forwards until you reach Cowling Lane. Turn left then through a stile on your right, the path will now take you uphill to another stile at the top.

Turn right then immediately left between holly bushes and boulders.

Follow this route as it bears left then right to the next main road.

On the opposite side of the road is a step stile, leading you through fields and on towards Shelf.

When you reach the end of the second field, ignore the gate to the left and continue forward through more stiles until you reach Burnley Hill Cottages.

Here turn left and follow the road until you reach the Duke of York Inn and Stone Chair on the opposite side of Brighouse and Denholme Gate Road.

Cross the road where you will spot Stone Chair.

Continue down West Street where if you look closely on one of the buildings on your left you will spot another inscription.

Bearing right into Shelf Hall Lane you will pass the junior school to find a passage in between buildings on your right.

This will now lead you to Bradford Road, where there are bus stops to finish the route.