Rediscovering Mixenden Reservoir

A Woodland Walking Revival

Mixenden Reservoir has long been a cherished part of North Halifax—a scenic retreat for water sports and walkers alike. But beyond its shimmering waters lies something quietly magical: a network of woodland paths waiting to be explored.

In June 2024, Active Calderdale partnered with Calderdale Forum 50+ to co-design a series of walking routes starting from the Mixenden Activity Centre, home of the Active Travel Hub. These 3,2,1 Walks were shaped with local needs in mind and offer something for everyone:

1km Route: Smooth and accessible—ideal for wheelchairs, pushchairs, and those with limited mobility

3km 'Short Hike': A scenic climb up the hillside behind Mixenden via well-trodden footpaths

6km Ramble: Meandering through Stod Fold and Brookhouse hamlets, following Hebble Brook to Ogden Reservoir

As enthusiasm for walking grew, so did community concerns. Many woodland areas had become challenging to navigate—especially during the winter months—with muddy trails, unclear footpaths, and overgrown vegetation. Years of wear had dulled the natural beauty of the space.

Residents stepped up, organising litter picks and removing dozens of bags of rubbish from areas around the reservoir—a strong first step towards restoring pride in the landscape.

A New Chapter: Yorkshire Water Rangers joins the journey in September 2024

Yorkshire Water launched monthly volunteer days to support crucial improvements across the woodland. Since then, the transformation has been inspiring:

• Installation of new pathways in boggy areas

• Improved entrance points for safer access

• A new footbridge over the stream

• Removal of fire-damaged trees to increase safety

• Waymarkers added for clear navigation

• Vegetation management and litter clearance

  
  

This isn’t just infrastructure—this is a movement, shaped by people, for people.

Nick Stead, Yorkshire Water Ranger, summed it up perfectly

“The West Ranger Team at Yorkshire Water have been delighted to collaborate with both the North Halifax Partnership and Active Calderdale. Working with the local community to improve accessibility in Mixenden Wood has been fantastic. We hope these improvements will inspire families to enjoy walking and getting active in the area. With more work planned, we’re incredibly grateful to our volunteers and encourage others to join us. Let’s protect and cherish this woodland for everyone in the community to enjoy.”

Sofie Armitage, Public Health Practitioner, said

"The transformation of the woodlands has been truly remarkable. It's been wonderful to see such a positive response from the community, and I'm incredibly grateful to all the volunteers whose efforts have made this possible. With these improvements in place, I hope even more local families and residents feel inspired to explore and enjoy the natural beauty right outside their homes."

What’s Next? Improvements will continue, powered by local hands and shared vision. Whether you're a seasoned walker or taking your first steps into nature, Mixenden’s woodland welcomes you.