Leisurely strolls and relaxed rambles await on these surprisingly easy walks around Leeds.
Leeds is a wonderful place to go walking, with everything from landmarks to countryside to explore. But if you’ve never done it before, you might not know your bridleways from your trails. So to get the ball rolling, here are 10 great walks across Leeds for you to kick off your new hobby, each of them easy enough for beginners to tackle, with loads to see along the way.
Bardsey and Pompocali Earthworks
This 3.1-mile stroll has good paths and tracks, so it’s perfect for beginners. You’ll start just south of the village, at the big lay-by on the A58, before you follow Bardsey Beck down to Hetchell Wood Nature Reserve, a historic woodland full of wildflowers and wildlife.
Keep going to Pompocali, an unusual maze of banked earthworks. Some say it was a Roman encampment, others say it’s an old limestone quarry – either way, it’s a sight to behold. You’ll also get to see Moat Hall, Rowley Grange and Wayside Gardens as you jump on the Leeds Country Way back to the start.
Start point: Wetherby Road – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 3.1 miles.
Try it: Check out the route.
Calverley Tithe Circular
This two-mile jaunt around the old tithe boundaries of Calverley, Horsforth and Rawdon is a breeze. It brings together a mixture of woodland and river paths. You’ll start at Horsforth New Road and follow the roads and tracks as they appear on the 19th-century tithe maps.
The walk will take you past The Railway Inn, where you can stop for a drink before crossing Calverley Bridge. Look out for Calverley Station House, Wood Bottom Mills and Cragg Wood before you return to the start. If you want to mix nature and history, this the perfect choice.
Start point: Horsforth New Road – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 2 miles.
Try it: Check out the route.
Otley to Bramhope via Eccup
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It might be 10-miles long, but this easygoing route is perfect for budding walkers. You’ll start from Otley Bus Station and take the well-worn paths and tracks to Bramhope with a worthy detour to Eccup Reservoir along the way.
There are plenty of things to see as you go – you’ll walk on the old dismantled railway, past Caley Hall Farm and up to the famous Caley Crags. It’s the perfect place for a little break before you join The Dales Way and head to the reservoir ahead of the end via Golden Acre Park.
Start point: Otley bus station – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 10 miles.
Try it: Check out the route.
Ilkley Moor Circular
This 6.3-mile trail around Ilkley Moor is one of the best and most straightforward walks you can do in Leeds. Kick things off at West View Park before taking the lane towards White Wells, the 18th-century spa and baths.
You’ll stroll along easy tracks as you cross the heather-covered moorland and pass impressive landmarks like Ilkley Crags, Twelve Apostles and Lower Lanshaw Drop. Take in the incredible scenery as you head to the famous Cow and Calf rocks before making your way back into Ilkley.
Start point: West View Park – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 6.3 miles.
Try it: Check out the route.
Hawksworth Wood Circular
This gentle 6.7-mile jaunt around North West Leeds is just the ticket for inexperienced walkers. It starts in Hawksworth Wood, just over the road from Kirkstall Abbey. It’s one of the best woodland wanders in Leeds, full of trees and wildlife, but that’s just the start.
From here, you’ll join the riverside paths alongside the Aire and head up to Newlay Bridge in Horsforth, where you’ll join the Leeds Liverpool Canal towpath to Calverley Bridge. Hunger Hills, Haigh Wood and Oil Mill Beck are all pitstops you can visit before reaching the end.
Start point: Hawksworth Wood – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 6.7 miles.
Try it: Check out the route.
The Aireborough Greenway
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If you’re short on time and fancy an easy-as-pie walk, head for The Aireborough Greenway. This 1.5-kilometre route along a disused railway line takes you from Parklands View in Yeadon to Old Coach road in Guiseley. You can enjoy plenty of easy-walking trails and oodles of natural beauty.
Want to extend your walk? Head over to Nunroyd Park, Esholt Village and Yeadon Tarn. There’s loads of nature to see before you reach the end, from kingfishers to water voles, and then turn back to retrace your steps to the start.
Start point: Guiseley Railway Station – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 1 mile.
Try it: Check out the route.
Fulneck Loop Circular
Discover the beauty of the Pudsey Beck valley with a gentle five-mile walk on the Fulneck Loop Circular. It’s a straightforward ramble along its bridleways, which are great for new walkers.
You’ll start at Tong Hall, just over the border in Bradford, before making your way into Leeds along Keeper Lane towards the historic Fulneck Moravian Settlement. You’ll see all kinds of birds, insects and aquatic creatures as you head along Pudsey Beck and Tyersal Beck, passing Black Carr Woods, Smalewell Quarry and Tyersal Hall as you go.
Start point: Keeper Lane – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 5 miles.
Try it: Check out the route.
Reedbed Ramble at St Aidan’s
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St Aidan’s Nature Reserve is a hidden gem, tucked away in the Leeds countryside – and it’s the perfect place for newbie walkers to start their adventures. Try the Reedbed Ramble, a 2.8-mile walk that’s easy enough for beginners and even families with buggies.
It will take you to some of the reserve’s most picturesque spots, as you walk past three lakes and take in their rare reedbeds. It’s here that you might be lucky enough to see bitterns, marsh harriers, bearded tits and golden plovers.
Start point: St Aidan’s Nature Reserve Visitor’s Centre – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 2.8 miles.
Try it: Check out the route.
Rothwell Country Park
Credit: Kate Wright
Clocking in at 4.1-miles, this circular route starts at the bottom of Springhead Park and follows the river on its way to Rothwell Country Park. Here, you’ll take up the Pond Trail through woodlands and meadow as you enjoy the vistas created by the former colliery, which has been reclaimed by nature.
The route is easy, but it does get muddy, so walking boots are recommended. It’s a great place for wildlife spotting, and popular with local bird watchers, you might even be lucky enough to spot a deer. The best time to visit is undoubtedly summer when the weather is drier and the wildflowers are in bloom.
Start point: Rothwell Country Park – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4.1 miles.
Try it: Check out the route.
Roundhay Gorge Walk
This is the ultimate in easy, beginner’s walks in Leeds. Roundhay Park boasts a criss-crossing pattern of routes – this one will take you through fields, woodlands and around the famous lake. Start at the Mansion Car Park, then head down towards the Upper Lake.
You’ll skirt around the lower edge before joining the woodlands and heading past the castle folly to the gorge. The route takes you up and down either side of the river, before delivering you back to the uppermost edge of the lake, where you can extend your walk around the water or head back to the start.
Start point: Roundhay Mansion – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 3 miles.
Try it: Check out the route.
