Hardcastle Crags

After seeking out the other, used but somewhat unloved, packhorse bridge in Hebden Bridge (see extra photo) we walked to Hardcastle Crags, taking the route by the river. 

There are (at least) three sets of stepping stones; these are the first we encountered, with big, closely-spaced (albeit angled) stones making an easy crossing; other sets upstream appeared to be formed from old fenceposts or bridge parapets, being of uniform size and shape (with a hole cutout) but, to the consternation of the small children who were desperate to cross by themselves, spaced too far apart for little legs to reach.

We paused for a rest at Gibson Mill, where a cafe run by the National Trust served us huge cafe lattes and Yorkshire curd tart, to set us up for the remaining distance to the crags and return to the car. At some point on our return the misty haze, which had dominated the weekend, lifted and the sun broke through, lighting up the tree canopy and highlighting the autumn colours.

Then the scenic route home, in lovely weather to close a perfect weekend.