Date: 3rd - 5th May, 2025
Distance: 320km (200 miles)
Welcome to a trail that connects bridleways and greenways on a circular route which takes you to the ‘head of the waters’, the source, of the River Calder in the South Pennines, the River Aire in the Yorkshire Dales and the River Don in the Peak District and out across the Aire Valley and Southern Washlands.
The trail
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. After passing through the ancient hamlet of Wycoller we ride across rolling hills in the South Pennines. At this point the long route climbs up onto limestone ridges to arrive at Malham Tarn and onto Mastiles Lane.
The Headwaters Trail is not all moorland and Pennine hills as both routes use the towpath for a long ride on the Leeds - Liverpool canal, past the spectacular Five Rise Locks at Bingley and onto the docks in Leeds city centre.
From here we travel south on a greenway 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 and the edge of a modern industrial estate to arrive at a World Heritage Site that celebrates our mining heritage at Elsecar.
Turning west we head to Wharncliffe Woods with its fast flowing gravel tracks and onto a reclaimed railway line to Penistone where there are excellent cafes. Another dozen miles and you arrive at our second campsite on a farm outside Shepley with its grass field for your tent and cosy barn to enjoy your camp meal.
We are now at the edge of the Peak District and we make a line due north to the long flowing descent down Wessenden Valley and into Marsden and on rough tracks over the moor. The finish line at Mytholmroyd is a few hours ride away.
Entry Options
1. BIKEPACKER (13-25 years old) - £25
2. Bikepacker (over 25) - £55
2. Bikepacker + GPS Tracker - full
3. Supported Ride - Full
Included in entry for all riders
I. Event hub
Mytholmroyd Community Centre, Caldene Avenue, HX7 5AF is where Headwaters Trail riders sign on from 7am and can have a cup of tea / coffee and fuel up on porridge pots, toast and home made flapjacks. There is no ‘mass start’ however, riders should aim to be on the trail by 10am.
Please be aware that we will be busy with registering and setting off riders on our sister event, the Source to Sea Trail, between 6 - 7am and would, be grateful if Headwaters Trail riders wait for the 7am sign on to begin.
The starting line is at the front of the community centre / Map showing location of MYCC is at the foot of this page.
There are showers and toilets which can be accessed during MYCC public opening times (10am - 6pm).
The centre is close to the train station and has a large free car / van parking (See point 6 below).
Venue: Mytholmroyd Community Centre (MYCC)
Bonus: Free event parking for cars / vans (riders must enter vehicle registration numbers at the front desk to be exempt from charges)
Train Station: 1 minute from Mytholmroyd station on the Leeds - Manchester main line
Location: Caldene Avenue, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, HX7 5AF
What3words: mend.relatives.warthog
Map: See below
ii. GPX file
The gpx file will be sent to your email address two weeks prior to the event.
iii. Mechanical support
Cycle Tech qualified bike technician - Luke Gathwaite - from Cycle Gear bike shop in Halifax will be on hand with his mobile van and set of tools at the Event Hub on Saturday from 6am - 10am.
iv. Pie n Peas
Proper Yorkshire grub. Four types of pies (meat, veggie, vegan and gluten-free) and mushy peas though there is the option of baked beans. And mint sauce. Served hot on Monday 11am-6pm.
v. Badge
Every rider who crosses the finish line will be awarded an embroidered cloth badge made in Leeds by Ensign Design who also stitch the badges we use on the Calder Divide Trail and the Mills n Moors Series.
vi. Parking and Train Station
Free car / van parking for the duration of the event at the Event Hub. Drivers must record their vehicle registration details at the reception desk and this will exempt them from the daily and weekly parking charges. Mytholmroyd train station on the Trans-Pennine route between Leeds - Manchester is 5 minutes from the Event Hub.
Basic outline of the supported ride
1. Campsites
On the supported ride there are two campsites, the first outside Addingham and the second outside Shepley. Small camper vans (eg, Ford / VW), tents or bivy bags can be used at each campsite.
On the first campsite there is a classic British campsite brick toilet block with hot running water so you wash your socks / smalls etc and there are three hot showers.
The second campsite will have three porta loos that you see at festivals and each has a sink with cold running water. There is a cosy wooden barn to relax in on the Sunday night.
Luke, the Cytech qualified bike mechanic from Cycle Gear in Halifax, will be with us at both campsites to fix small bike issues eg, worn brake pads, bent spokes, snapped wires. Major issues like a cracked bike frame or snapped handlebar require service back at the shop on Horton Street in Halifax.
2. Luggage transfer
On the supported ride there is luggage transfer of your tent and spare clothes etc between:
(a) the Event HQ and the Saturday night camp and
(b) from the Saturday camp onto the Sunday camp and of course
(c) all your gear is taken back to the Event HQ in Mytholmroyd early Monday morning.
BnB’s - always an option if a tent and morning dew isn’t your thing but booking two or three BnB’s is a big task. Email (Adrian) yorkshiredivide@gmail.com
3. GPS tracker
A tracker is included in the cost of the ticket. Live GPS trackers are amazing technology as they allow friends, family and Event Officials to see your progress and watch the event unfold in real time on a phone, laptop or TV screen. This is often called ‘dot watching’ and is surprisingly addictive! GPS trackers provided by Follow My Challenge.
