Headwaters Trail

The Headwaters Trail is an 'off-road' adventure by gravel bike or mountain bike on old drovers lanes, bridleways and greenways across three stunning areas - the South Pennines, Yorkshire Dales and Peak District - on a unique route that is approximately 80% 'off-road'. There is a short film about the trail at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIgbEAQAHHY

The trail takes you on a 325km (200 mile) circular route over Pennine moors where the three rivers that powered the first cotton mills and coal mines of the Industrial Revolution have their source - the head of the waters of the Calder, Aire and Don - and out over a diverse landscape with its woodlands, moorlands and farmland.

There is a 250km 'short' route.

The trail is full of sharp contrasts from the WEST with its exposed moorland and steep climbs/descents on singletrack and farmers double track in the Pennines, Dales and Peak District whilst to the EAST there is the broad floodplain crossed by an extensive network of canal towpaths and greenways on reclaimed railway lines.

Route map, short film about the trail, a comparison of the long and short routes and the three day itinerary on the supported ride is on: www.yorkshiredivide.co.uk

The Headwaters Trail event includes the following FOR ALL RIDERS:

Event Hub - Every epic adventure needs support and so Mytholmroyd Community Center will be our hub where all riders gather, sign on and fuel up on porridge pots, flapjacks, tea, coffee etc. The GPS trackers are issued at the Event Hub. The Center has toilets, showers and a large free car park whilst Mytholmroyd train station, on the main line between Leeds and Manchester, is 5 minutes away. The hub opens at 6am.

GPX file - Sent to your email address two weeks prior to the event.

Starting line - riders depart on the Saturday between 7.30am - 10.30am

Pie n Peas - In the Event Room on Monday riders can enjoy pie n peas from 11am-6pm. All diets catered for. The Event Room is not staffed on the Sunday so if you arrive back to Mytholmroyd on the Sunday it is unavoidable that there'll be no pie n peas in the Event Room as we'll be at the campsite 80kms away!

Badge - Every rider loves a patch and so there so there is a Headwaters Trail embroidered cloth badge made in Leeds for every rider.

Finishers certificate - A unique A5 print that celebrates your achievement in completing the route will be presented to you at the finish line on the Monday.

A challenge not a race - The event is not a race and as such we will NOT be recording riders times. Riders can of course record their own time and this will be used to establish a male / female FKT.

Refunds - full refunds issued up to Friday 1st March 2025. Up to Friday 5th April 2025 then 50% refund of the signing on cost. After Friday 5th April 2025 no refunds are possible as we start to pay the many bills and the 'pot' is soon empty. The option of transfer to the event in 2026 is available or transfer to our sister event the Calder Divide Trail in September.

Three entry options on the weekend:

(1) Bikepacker - This is a self-supported ride using the gpx files and the Event HQ with its pie n peas for when you return on Monday. This is split by age because age shapes income and that can be a barrier to young adults hence the £25 for those 14-25 years of age and £55 for those 25 and above.

(2) Bikepacker + tracker - This is a self supported ride with hire of a GPS tracker so friends and family can see your progress across the trail in addition to the gpx files and the facilities at the Event HQ.

(3) Supported ride - You carry your day supplies and we provide backup with:

    (i) GPS tracker so friends, family and event officials can see your progress across the trail

    (ii) Luggage transfer of all your kit between the two campsites

    (iii) Campsites - no need to be a bear in the woods as we have two campsites with facilities on site. We greet you at each campsite with a hot drink station, soup and bread for quick refueling before you head off to the field and put up your tent.

    (iv) Meals - at the campsites we will serve you a hot delicious evening meal at a 6pm and 7pm sitting (meat and vegan options). Different meals at the two sites to provide variety.

    (v) Daily rider briefing - 5 point guide for each of the 3 stages, including location of loo facilities and cafe stops.

    (vi) Escape routes - if you run into difficulty we'll get you back to the campsite / finish line

Booking