The Calder Divide Trail is a multi day adventure across 12 valleys, 6 moors and 1 floodplain in West Yorkshire.
From ancient bridleways across the Pennine moors to new gravel paths in the Southern Washlands and on through the center of small towns like Hebden Bridge and Marsden this trail takes you through a diverse and stunning landscape.
On the event weekend on 18th-19th September there are four route options from 150kms to 240kms.
The watershed of the River Calder is not a fixed line, permanently marked on a map. It is a broad divide, a ridge of high ground, where waters gather and flow as becks, brooks and rivers.
In this corner of Yorkshire the watershed is a landscape criss-crossed by bridleways and so this has gifted us one divide but many trails you can take to explore this diverse landscape.
In summary there are five trail options along the Calder Divide:
The Calder Divide Trail is a single fixed 145 miles route for rider, runner or walker
The Calder Divide Trail event has four route options from 100 to 150 miles.
Poster by Judith Broug aka missyredboots@mac.com
Gravel tracks on old railway lines to the EAST on the level floodplain.
Packhorse lanes to the WEST in the steep Pennine hills.
why the Calder Divide is in aid of Overgate Hospice
For over 40 years Overgate Hospice has provided vital support for people with life limiting illnesses.
Will Norman was part of the ‘Bike Club’ I rode with. Tragically Will died in 2021 from cancer and his last few days were in the care of Overgate Hospice. When I last met Will in the Piece Hall in Halifax I made a promise to him to ‘do a big ride’.
The Calder Divide trail is that ride and we’re proud to be able to aid the work of the hospice.
- 2022 event raised £2,250 with 105 riders
- 2023 we donated £4,850 with 220 riders!
- 2024 we donated £2,437 with a limit set at 100 riders
- 2025 it was £2,240
- 2026 we donated £2,670
£14,527 raised over the last five years
The CDT events that we have held to date have only been possible with the help of a dedicated team of volunteers. Melanie Williamson was in that team. Mel was the person who organised the pie n peas and so was vital in keeping the riders fueled. More than that she took time to talk to every rider. Mel was a ‘doer’ and a proper people person. Mel died at the age of 62 years of age from an aggressive cancer which took her in a matter of months. Her last few days were in the care of Overgate Hospice.
The 2027 event will be our 6th CDT in aid of Overgate Hospice and we will once again hope to raise a minimum of £2,000.
