A walk through Brontë country: Brontë Waterfall and Top Withens
Wander through the landscapes that inspired a Brontë classic on this popular moorland walk
Start: Haworth Main Street, near the Brontë Parsonage Museum
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation: 400 feet
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy (suitable for most walkers)
Navigation: Follow step-by-step on komoot or download GPX file
About the route
This relaxed walk through the Haworth moorlands makes for an ideal day out, ending with beautiful views and historic locations tied to Brontë history. The walk from Haworth leads you across scenic moorlands, rich with Brontë history and captivating scenery. The route takes you through open countryside with a dose of literary lore, including Top Withens (thought to be the inspiration behind Heathcliff’s home in Wuthering Heights) and the striking Brontë Waterfall.
Route difficulty
Walk type: Easy circular walk with limited elevation gain. Good for most walkers with, includes some uneven paths
Terrain: Mix of paved lanes, gravel paths, grassy trails, and some uneven moorland sections.
Inclines: Mostly gentle, with a short climb up to Top Withens that can be a little steep and exposed.
Surfaces: Some rocky patches and muddy stretches, especially after rain.
Navigation: Well-marked in most places, map/GPX needed for moorland section
Mobility: Not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. This route contains stiles, steps, and narrow gates.
Why you’ll love this walk
A mix of moorland, waterfalls, ruins & literary lore
Great views at Top Withens + waterfall
Quiet in parts (especially the moors), lively in others (Haworth village)
Ideal for a Sunday stroll: nature + tearooms + pubs 🍵🍺
Walk highlights:
Route highlights
Haworth
Your walk begins and ends in the charming Pennine village of Haworth, nestled in the heart of West Yorkshire’s Brontë Country. This historic village is famous as the home of the Brontë sisters (Charlotte, Emily, and Anne) and is filled with cobbled streets, quaint shops, and atmospheric tea rooms that take you back to the Victorian era. In the village centre, you’ll find the Brontë Parsonage Museum, where the sisters lived and wrote their novels, along with several charming cafes and boutiques perfect for exploring before or after your walk.
Don’t miss a visit to the Cabinet of Curiosities for a peek into local Victorian artefacts or the iconic Black Bull pub, often frequented by Branwell Brontë.
Bronte Waterfall
The Bronte Waterfall is a great place to rest on your way to Top Withens (Wuthering Heights), Alcomden Stones or Ponden Kirk (The Fairy Cave). Top Withens (also known as Top Withins) is a ruined farmhouse near which is said to have been the inspiration for the location of the Earnshaw family house in Wuthering Heights.
Just a short distance from Top Withens, the waterfall cascades down the rocks and has long attracted visitors drawn by its natural beauty and literary ties. Charlotte Brontë is said to have found solace here, and it remains a serene spot midway through the walk.
Cabinet of Curiosities
Back in Haworth, step into the Cabinet of Curiosities, a quirky shop filled with Victorian oddities, witchy trinkets, and handmade soaps that I can never seem to leave the village without. This museum-like shop truly is like stepping foot in an old apothecary store, warmly lit by glass globes, fragranced with exotic oils, and packed from floor to ceiling with rich mahogany and glass display cases. Over the years the family-run business has taken on a true labour of love, salvaging many of the shops fittings from chemists, grocery shops and museums to replicate the ‘wonder-rooms’ of a time gone by.
Wuthering Heights Pub
End your walk at the Wuthering Heights pub (close to Top Withens), a cosy spot to enjoy a pint or a hot meal after a day on the moors. This traditional Yorkshire pub has true rustic charm, with a hearty menu and an atmosphere that perfectly complements a moody moorland adventure.
Options to extend the route
For a longer hike, consider adding a detour to nearby Ponden Kirk, a rocky outcrop believed to be the inspiration for Wuthering Heights’ Penistone Crags. This can turn the walk into a full day’s outing, with more moorland views and an optional scrambling segment.
Where is Haworth?
Haworth is in West Yorkshire, England, part of “Brontë Country.” Near Keighley, within reach of Leeds and Bradford. Rural & beautiful, with moors all around.
The picturesque village is renowned worldwide as the home of the Brontë sisters, the celebrated authors of Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Situated near the larger town of Keighley and easily accessible from Leeds, Haworth is part of the scenic region known as Brontë Country, an area of natural beauty that inspired much of the sisters' work.
The village itself is home to many quaint tea rooms, souvenir shops and a few quirky pitstops you can’t afford to miss. My absolute favourite is The Cabinet of Curiosities, a traditional shop that’s been restored it to its former glory as a Victorian apothecary shop.
Getting to the starting point
Arriving by car
There is limited parking along Main Street in Haworth, with additional spaces near the Brontë Parsonage Museum and pay-and-display lots available for a small fee.
Arriving by public transport
The Keighley Bus Company operates regular services to Haworth from Keighley, making it accessible by public transport from nearby towns and cities.
From Leeds
Train to Keighley (~30 mins)
Catch the Brontë Bus (B1, B2 or B3) to Haworth
From Bradford
Train or bus to Keighley
Catch transfer to the Brontë Bus to Haworth
From Hebden Bridge
Take the Brontë Bus B3 direct to Haworth (via Oxenhope)
From Keighley Station
Key transport hub with trains from Leeds, Bradford & Skipton
Then either the Brontë Bus or the KWVR heritage train to Haworth
Heritage train option
Take the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR) steam/diesel service from Keighley direct to Haworth. It runs on weekends and daily in summer — a slower, scenic ride through the Worth Valley. Check the KWVR website for current timetables.
Travel tips:
Bus services are regular but check timetables before visiting, especially Sundays & holidays
Allow time to transfer between Keighley train & bus stations if needed
Heritage train is a great option but not daily — pre-check schedule
Parking is limited in Haworth during busy times, arrive early or use park & ride if available
✔️ Good to knows
Difficulty: This walk has gentle climbs and is suitable for all abilities.
Accessibility: This is a carrier only route. There are some steep steps and rocky paths, particularly around the waterfall itself, which aren’t suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. This route includes stiles.
Navigation: The walk to the falls is well signposted, but bring GPX/map for the moorland section.
Food and drink: Plenty of pubs, tearooms and shops available in Haworth at the start and end of the walk, including the café at the Brontë Parsonage Museum.
Parking: Public parking is available near Haworth’s Main Street; charges vary.
🧭 Following the route
I use komoot and OS Maps for offline navigation. To follow this walk step-by-step on komoot, simply click this link here or download the GPX file and upload it to your chosen app, such as OS Maps.
