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Hiking The Brontë Way, North Yorkshire: Route Guide and Best Views

  • Writer: Nyssa Blake
    Nyssa Blake
  • Aug 14
  • 5 min read

Updated: Sep 30

The hiking route - for some fresh air and history.


Rolling green hills and purple heather under a cloudy sky in a serene landscape. Wild grasses sway in the foreground.

Location: Haworth, West Yorkshire

Distance: 7.5 miles / 12 km

Time: 3 hrs 30 mins

Difficulty: Intermediate

Parking Info: Bronte Village Car Park, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8BW

Route Type: Circular

The Route: Click here


If you’re a fan of big skies, wild moorland, and a bit of literary history, this circular walk from Haworth ticks all the boxes. Starting in the famously cobbled village the Brontë sisters called home, this route takes you out onto the rugged Yorkshire moors that inspired Wuthering Heights and other classic novels. 


Black and white sheep grazing on a green hillside with rocky terrain. Overcast sky and grass tufts create a calm, pastoral scene.
Rolling green hills with grazing sheep and a stone wall in the foreground. Overcast sky and scattered trees complete the serene landscape.

It’s about 7.5 miles with a steady mix of well-trodden paths and a few rocky sections to keep things interesting. Along the way, you’ll pass Brontë Bridge and the picturesque waterfall before reaching the windswept ruins of Top Withens — thought to be the setting for Heathcliff and Catherine’s stormy story. Whether you’re here for the views, the history, or just a good walk in the fresh air, this hike is a beauty.


Rolling green hills under a cloudy sky with patches of brown heather and tall grasses in the foreground; a peaceful rural scene.


HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS NORTH YORKSHIRE HIKE


  • The view from Top Withens was incredible but I also really loved the views over Ponden Reservoir as we were on our way back down towards Stanbury.

  • As we hiked through the village and the moorland, we passed lots of sheep, horses and birds including the curlew, grouse and skylark.

  • We took a short break at the waterfall for a small snack before continuing up the steep hill.

  • There were some steeper areas and rocky bits of the path but nothing too challenging for a person with average fitness.


TIPS


  • Spring-Autumn is probably the best time to do this North Yorkshire hike as it has the potential to get slippery in wet weather. We did it at the end of May and there was some sunshine and clouds with a bit of rain.

  • There are a couple of public toilets in the village, one at the Museum Car Park Public Toilets, Shirley St, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8DT and one further down the hill called the Central Park Public Toilet, Haworth, Keighley BD22 8QE.

  • There’s plenty of cafés, restaurants, and shops in the village. We stopped for a pub lunch at Haworth Old Hall but have heard that The Fleece Inn was also a great location. Don’t forget to check out the cafés and bakeries as they were selling the most delicious looking food.

  • The phone signal wasn’t great within Haworth itself so I recommend you download the route map to your phone prior to the hike so that you don’t have any issues or get lost. The route is fairly easy to follow as there are well marked pathways and with it being a popular hike, if you get lost, there’s plenty of people about to assist.


Stone path leads through a weathered stone wall under a cloudy sky, surrounded by lush green fields. Mood is rustic and serene.


WHAT TO BRING


  • Hiking shoes/boots or trail runners are good for this hike as they will have more grip and protection than regular trainers.

  • Depending on when you go, layers are always advised. The forecast didn’t mention any rain on the day we went but we narrowly avoided a downpour so I would definitely still take a waterproof jacket just in case.

  • If you’re planning on a pub lunch like we did then you have plenty of choice for a meal afterwards, however, I would still take some snacks just in case to keep up your energy levels. Bananas, energy bars, cheese, boiled eggs, nuts, and some sweets will do the job. Also, make sure to take at least a litre of water for the actual hike.

  • Don’t forget your camera if you want to take photos or videos of the hike.


Stone wall with a plaque, set in a grassy area. Text is partially visible, linked to Wuthering Heights. Ruins evoke a historic mood.
People relax and walk on a lush green hillside with a rocky path. Overcast sky above, trees and scattered rocks enhance the serene setting.

WHAT I WORE


Top: I’ve had this oversized t-shirt from LuluLemon for over two years now and I love it. It’s baggy and therefore comfortable. It also hides the bloat nicely when I need it too and because its baggy, doesn’t show sweaty patches as much.

All Yours Cotton T-Shirt in black from LuluLemon


Leggings: I love these leggings! I need to get more of them in different colours. They have pockets on the sides of the legs so you can still have easy phone access and I love that they also come with a drawstring to prevent them from sliding down as a lot of leggings tend to do that.


Socks: These socks have never caused rubbing around my ankles and got me through a 23mile hike. They’re breathable but snug and because they don’t have ribbing around the ankle, this is why they didn’t rub against my hiking boots. I couldn’t find the regular ones I usually wear but below is the reflective version. 


Hiking Boots: These boots have honestly been fantastic. I did all my hiking training for a 23mile hike in them without a single blister. I would always size up when buying from On though, typically I’m a size 7 but for hiking shoes I wear a size 8UK and for trainers I tend to be a 7.5UK. It does seem to depend on the style though.

Cloudrock Trek Waterproof hiking boots from On Running


Backpack: This is by no means a hiking backpack. However, it does the job and has done for two years whilst also being suitable for work and travel. I have it in black and its just a nice handy bag to have. If you’re looking for something more suitable, I would check out bags that have the elastic strings on the front and have extra support straps for the chest and/or hips. 

New Crew Backpack 22L backpack in black from LuluLemon


Technology: I’ve had my iPhone 15 Pro Max for two years now (almost) and its doing well. If you’re not a huge photography person but still want to take some nice photos then it does a fantastic job for you. To vlog I used the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo. This is a new purchase for me and I’m still getting used to using it but so far I love it! It allowed me to hold the camera but look where I was going so that I didn’t trip over as it has face tracking capabilities. This combo also came with a microphone which seamlessly connects to the camera as soon as you turn it on and helps reduce wind noise massively. This is probably my best purchase this year.

Iphone 15 Pro Max in blue from Apple


The front of the Brontë museum

NEARBY


  • There’s lots of route options in the same area of this hike, feel free to pick one or combine them to create your own route.

  • Make sure to stop by The Bronte Museum if you’re a literary fan. There’s also The Original Bronte Stationery Store in the village too if you’re looking for souvenirs.


FINAL THOUGHTS


This hike is suitable for most age groups. If you have a moderate level of fitness, you should be able to complete it comfortably. You can enjoy this hike multiple times, as there are different paths leading to Top Withens.


If you give it a try, share your experience in the comments!


LINKS


Route available here on AllTrails.


Watch the vlog below to see the route as we hike The Brontë Way. We've been preparing to move into our new home soon as well, see what stage we're at during the video.



THERE WILL BE LOTS MORE HIKING ROUTES TO COME.


Nyssa x


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