Section 1 of 4, Bronte Way
Oakwell to Shelf
11.3 miles (18.2 km). About 4½ hours, moderate.
Start: SE 217 270. Finish: SE 118 287. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
About 468 m of climbing and 307 m of descent; highest point 284 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Oakwell.
- Bus stops
- Oakwell Hall Country Park, 70 m from the start. Directions SE 217 270Field Head Lane Foxglove Road, 530 m from the start. Directions SE 222 268Field Head Lane Highfield Drive, 540 m from the start. Directions SE 222 268
- Car parks
- Car park (free), 10 m from the start. Directions SE 217 270Car park, 70 m from the start. Directions SE 217 269Car park (free), 600 m from the start. Directions SE 211 268
Getting back
The section finishes at Shelf. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Wade House Road Wade House Avenue, 490 m from the finish. Directions SE 122 285Shelf Hall Lane, 500 m from the finish. Directions SE 120 283Shelf Village Hall, 500 m from the finish. Directions SE 121 284
Planning the Bronte Way
- Planning the whole trail: yorkshire.com.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 46%, grass 8%, earth, rock and mud 8%; the rest (37%) isn't recorded.
About 41% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 13 stiles, 3 kissing gates, 2 gates, 2 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 62 m in a kilometre (1 in 16), starting 10.2 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- West End, Gomersal: 1.3 miles in.The Shears Inn, Liversedge: 3.5 miles in.Cross Keys, Liversedge: 3.7 miles in.The Old White Beare, Norwood Green: 9.1 miles in. Food, seats outside.Black Bull Inn, Birstall Smithies: 0.5 miles in, about 200 m off the way. Seats outside, step-free.The Scotland, Gomersal: 0.8 miles in, about 350 m off the way. Food.The Wheatsheaf, Little Gomersal: 2 miles in, about 150 m off the way. Food.Bulls Head Inn, Little Gomersal: 2.1 miles in, about 200 m off the way.The Pear Tree, Norwood Green: 8.8 miles in, about 150 m off the way.Bottomleys Arms, Shelf: 10.9 miles in, about 200 m off the way. Seats outside.
- Cafés
- The Oak Tree, Oakwell: at the start.The Dancing House, Gomersal: 1 mile in, about 400 m off the way.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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