Spen Greenway
Spen Greenway
The Spen Valley Greenway is the emerald jewel in Spen Valley's crown of off-road-ways. It's a 7 mile tarmac'd route from Dewsbury, up the Spen Valley to Oakenshaw. Part of National Cycle Route 66, at the Dewsbury end it connects with the Calder Valley Greenway and at the Oakenshaw end, you can use pavements and footpaths to get into the middle of Bradford and onto the Leeds-Liverpool long distance canal towpath route. Our Greenway was a disused railway, so you can walk, cycle or ride a horse without fear of vehicles. When the route was created by Sustrans, artwork was included, so look out for scrap metal sheep, seats made from large digger shovels, strange circles of metal hoops, and poetry. The Greenway's really popular with families whose children are learning to ride a bike safely. It's well-used by walkers cyclists and joggers to keep fit, and by school or work commuters on foot & bicycle, who enjoy its exhaust fume-free zone. Near the metal sheep you'll find an exit taking you to the Jo Cox Community Wood which we've created with the help of many volunteers. Use the picnic tables and benches for your picnic break! At Primrose Lane you can exit the Greenway, go down to the main A638 road in the valley bottom, cross into Royds Park Rawfolds, and connect to the Spen Valley Ringway (another off-road route), which currently takes you into the centre of Heckmondwike. Hidden at the top of Royds Park you'll find Spen Model Engineers Club which runs a model railway big enough to ride on, and has regular open days in summer.
To use Spen Valley Greenway to make a longer cycle ride, see the North Kirklees Riding Route