THE AIRE Valley Wanderers have embarked on their most ambitious series of walks yet.

Members of the Keighley group are walking the entire Worth Way in five separate sections throughout September and October. Local people are welcome to join the keen trekkers as they venture away from the Aire Valley on to paths along and above the Worth Valley.

The Worth Way challenge is intended to complement the Wanderers’ regular Welcome Walks on Wednesday evenings. Each walk has a café stop where available.

The Aire Valley Wanderers are supported by regeneration group Keighley Big Local and its coordinator Shaun O’Hare. He said: “The route from the Victorian ginnels of industrial Keighley climbs steeply to the contrasting hill top village of Hainworth where the route offers superb views along the whole of the Worth Valley.

“Then on to Oxenhope, a typical South Pennine village and terminus of the Worth Valley Railway. “Then a return along the picturesque Bridge House Valley between Oxenhope and Haworth, before continuing along the Worth Valley via Oakworth, Damens and Ingrow, back to Keighley.”

The first section on September 5 took the walkers on a tough route from Keighley to Cross Roads via Hainworth Wood.

The second walk is on Thursday September 12, a tough five-mile route from Cross Roads to Oxenhope railway station, which is extremely muddy when wet. Walkers should meet in Keighley Bus Station and catch the 1.05pm B3 Hebden Bridge bus, or meet outside the Cross Roads pub at 1.15pm.

The walk takes in a couple of short steep climbs through fields, over Brow Moor and then downhill to Oxenhope following farm tracks, paths and numerous stiles and gates. There is a café at Oxenhope station.

September 19 sees a three-mile trek from Oxenhope to Haworth, which although described as moderate can be extremely muddy when wet. Meet at Keighley bus station and catch the 1.05pm B3 bus to Oxenhope or meet at Station Road/West Drive at 1.25pm.

Shaun said: “We continue our walk from the bottom of Harry Lane where we turn right at the bottom on a track following Bridge House Beck. This leads on to the Railway Children Walk/Worth Way Walk, eventually emerging at Brow Road in Haworth. It is then just a short walk up to Haworth for coffee.”

Section 4 will be on September 26, from Haworth to Oakworth on a three-mile, moderate route. Meet at Keighley Bus Station and catch the 1.05pm B3 bus for Hebden Bridge or meet at Haworth railway station at 1.20pm.

Shaun said: “From here we continue our walk over the railway bridge turning sharp right, walking up a narrow road to a field. We follow a tarmac path on to Mytholmes lane where we turn right and follow the footpath down the hill until we reach Hebble Row, where we turn right up the steps joining a footpath which takes us up to Station Road.

“We cross the road going up East Royd then across a field in two Oakworth to finish at the café.”

The final three-mile Oakworth to Keighley section will be on October 3, again on a moderate route that can be extremely muddy when wet. Meet at Keighley bus station and catch the 1.15pm K7 (stand K) bus to Oakworth Primary School, or meet at the school at 1.25pm.

Shaun said: “We retrace our steps across the field and follow the road and track to Cackleshaw. From Cackleshaw we go across fields to join Goose Cote Lane where we turn right.”

“Please come in comfortable clothing (not jeans), suitable footwear, and bring a waterproof coat even if it’s sunny, as well as a drink. Well-behaved dogs on leads are also welcome.

Visit walkingforhealth.org.uk/content/aire-and-worth-valley-wanderers for further information.