Discover the most beautiful, rewarding walking routes within an hour of Leeds…
In the mood for a ramble? Don’t want to stray too far from Leeds? We’ve got the perfect tonic. These incredible walks are all within easy reach of Leeds, so you can enjoy the great outdoors of Yorkshire in less than an hour. We’ve handpicked routes we’ve done ourselves, from easy family-friendly jaunts with the kids to more challenging rambles with stunning views across the countryside. Take a look, find your perfect route and start exploring – it’s all on our doorstep!
Harden Valley Ramble
This lovely, if a little challenging, 10.5-mile route starts at Bingley Station, about 30 minutes from Leeds, so park up or jump off the train and prepare for a real outdoor adventure. You’ll head out of the town centre and into a wooded wonderland broken up by waterfalls and moorland.
As you walk, you’ll pass a few impressive landmarks. Stop and take in Ruin Bank Wood and Hewenden Viaduct, but we just can’t help falling for Goit Stock Waterfall – it’s an incredible sight as the water rushes into Harden beck. It’s tough, but once you’ve peeled yourself away, take the main path through the picturesque forest and back into Bingley.
Start point: Bingley Railway Station – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 10.5 miles (5-6 hours).
Difficulty: Hard.
Route: Check out the route.
Aireborough Greenway
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The Aireborough Greenway is a simple 1.5-kilometre route on a disused railway line. It starts at Parklands View in Yeadon and ends at the Old Coach Road in Guiseley, with easy walking and plenty to see in between. It’s one of our favourites for a Sunday stroll come rain or shine, but keep your eyes peeled for cyclists who also love to use this route.
You can even extend your walk by heading over to Nunroyd Park, Esholt Village and Yeadon Tarn if you’ve got the time – we always find a little time for the Tarn in particular. The Greenway was designed to bring wildlife into the area, so keep an eye out for everything from water voles to kingfishers.
Start point: Guiseley Railway Station – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 1.5 miles (1 hour).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Beamsley Beacon
Between Ilkley and Skipton, the picturesque village of Beamsley is around 50-minutes from Leeds. You can soak up incredible views across God’s Own County on this moderate seven-mile trek along the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Kick things off with a climb up to the Beamsley Beacon where you can stop at Trig Point and appreciate Wharfedale’s beauty. We love to pause here after a calf-stretching climb – the views are some of the best around.
Then it’s time to head back, passing Kex Beck and Beamsley Moor but the iconic Beamsley Hospital, a unique piece of circular architecture, is one of the walk’s true highlights.
Start point: Langbar Road, Ilkley – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 7 miles (3-4 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Ogden Water
Bringing together beautiful greenery and a calming reservoir, the Ogden Water circular takes you around a 34-acre body of water surrounded by swathes of pretty moorland that we think are at their most beautiful come sunrise. Whatever time you do it, this route is only two miles long and is packed full of natural beauty as you weave between trees along the water’s edge.
Want to extend your walk? We often latch onto the bridleway near the south-side which leads you up onto the moors for a further 3.8-mile loop around Warley Moor Reservoir. It makes your leisurely jaunt a real day out.
Start point: Ogden Water car park – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 2 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Haworth Circular
Want to discover the ageless beauty of the Brontë Country? This seven-mile walk around Howarth is an absolute must-do. It’s truly a stunning day out, whether you’re a literary or nature buff (or, like us, both), taking you past flowing becks and pretty moorland, stopping to appreciate the views across the almost-endless Pennine Hills.
Start with a wander across the Penistone Hill Country Park on your way to the heights of Haworth Moor and the Brontë Waterfall. Next, it’s Top Withens – the inspiration for Wuthering Heights, a real icon – and on to the Lower Laithe Reservoir, before heading home.
Start point: St Michael & All Angels Church, Haworth – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 7 miles (4-5 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Rombalds Moor
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Take the 45-minute trip to the pretty market town of Ilkley, where this nature-filled walk starts and ends. The 11.3-mile route is a bit of a classic for locals, kicking off in the centre, before taking you towards Rombalds Moor – the views are pretty spectacular as soon as you reach any kind of high grounds. It also passes breathtaking landmarks, like Hebers Ghyll Woods and the Swastika Stone.
You’ll climb on towards the Doubler Stone, a favourite picnic pitstop of ours, which offers an incredible vantage point across Wharfedale below, before you pass Sunny Dale Reservoir and head back to town.
Start point: Heber’s Ghyll Drive, Ilkley – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 11.3 miles (5-6 hours).
Difficulty: Hard.
Route: Check out the route.
Fulneck Loop
The Pudsey Beck Valley is a gentle 4.9-mile walk that straddles Leeds’ boundary with Bradford and is a bit of a hidden gem for ramblers. In fact, it’s great if you’re looking for less busy routes. Start at Tong Hall, just across the border, and head west into Leeds along Keeper Lane as you make your way towards the Fulneck Moravian Settlement.
Keep your eyes peeled for birds, insects and aquatic creatures as you pass Pudsey and Tyersal Beck, before making your way past Black Carr Woods, Smalewell Quarry and Tyersal Hall as you head back to the start in Tong.
Start point: Keeper Lane, Tong – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4.9 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Eccup Reservoir
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A six-mile ramble around North Leeds, this leisurely stroll is the perfect opportunity to get out for a breath of fresh air and brings you to something of a local landmark in the form of Eccup Reservoir. You’ll start with a leafy stroll through Adel Woods, before you head onto the path that takes you around the trees next to Eccup Reservoir.
You’ll see it from afar first, before you get up close after crossing Eccup Beck around half-way through the walk – it’s worth the wait. Take in the calming water and peaceful greenery before making your way back to the start.
Start point: Adel Woods car park – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 6 miles (3-4 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
The Rothwell Greenway
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If you’re looking for an easy walk near Leeds that not everyone knows about, try The Rothwell Greenway. This 4.1-mile route has a few stiles and hills for you to tackle, but they’re well worth the effort as you follow rural paths and tracks to a series of incredible vantage points in and around Rothwell Country Park.
Start at the Trinity Church car park in Rothwell, before you head past the remains of Rothwell Castle and onto the Greenway, a disused former railway line. From here, you’ll go on an easygoing walk through the fields before you head back to the start.
Start point: Holy Trinity Church, Rothwell – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4.1 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Rawdon Billing
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This circular walk may be just two miles long, but don’t underestimate the route around Rawdon Billing. It’s one of the best walks in Leeds, but it’s also blimmin’ tough in places, as you tackle challenging terrain and wide-open spaces that pit you against the elements if the sun isn’t on your side. Trust us, we’ve been there in the pouring rain.
Make a start at the Jubilee Hall car park, before heading out on the uphill paths to Billing Dam, Larkfield Dam and Billing Hill. It’s the perfect route if you’re short on time, but keen on adventure.
Start point: Jubilee Hall car park, Rawdon – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 2 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Trans Pennine Trail
Don’t panic, we’re not suggesting the full 350-mile route. The Trans Pennine Trail can be broken down into small, bite-size segments – and there’s a wonderful 14-mile route that takes you between Leeds and Wakefield that’s well worth checking out. You can even split that down into a smaller walks if you like.
The tracks are fairly easy, but the length makes it a bit of a challenge as you weave your way past Thwaite Mills towards the picturesque village of Methley and the natural wonders of St Aidan’s Nature Reserve. You’ll finish up at the banks of the Aire-Calder Navigation at the Stanley Ferry Marina.
Start point: Thwaite Lane, Leeds – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 14 miles (6-7 hours).
Difficulty: Hard.
Route: Check out the route.
Silsden Moor
This 11.5-mile circular around Silsden Moor is for the more experienced rambler. It starts with a stroll along the Millennium Way, which leads you to a series of vantage points across Skipton, Rombalds Moor and Ilkley. The tracks can get tough and boggy, particularly after bad weather, but they’re worth persevering with as you reach rocky outcrops at High Bradley.
Pause at the edge of Skipton Moor – a favourite speck of ours – and take in the beauty of the Chelker Reservoir before the end. Want more? Beamsley Beacon is a short but calf-crunching extension.
Start point: Millennium Way, Addingham – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 11.5 miles (5-6 hours).
Difficulty: Hard.
Route: Check out the route.
The Lines Way
Credit: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
If you’re looking for a walk in the heart of nature, there aren’t many better routes than The Lines Way. 50 years ago, this was a working railway line between Garforth and Castleford, but now the old tracks have been removed and turned into a leafy walking route that connects three different nature reserves – see if you can spot remnants of its past life as you go.
You’ll walk on a wide and spacious path where the old track used to be, making a stop at a trio of nature reserves, Letchmire Pastures, Townclose Hills and Hollinghurst Woods, all on a gentle four-mile walk.
Start point: Garforth Station – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 7.8 miles (3-4 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Thorner Moor and Hetchell Wood Circular
Credit: Joanna Richards
Just 20 minutes from Leeds, Thorner offers a quintessential countryside walk. This leisurely eight-mile route starts from St Peter’s Church and joins the well laid-out paths over Thorner Moor. Stop to take in the sweeping views across the nearby Bramham Park Estate, before you head over to Stubbing Moor and Wothersome Lake.
Finish with a touch of wildlife spotting at the ever-so-charming Hetchell Wood Nature Reserve and the mysterious Pompocali Earthworks – a series of strange undulations in the fields that are rumoured to have Roman origins.
Start point: St Peter’s Church, Thorner – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 8 miles (3-4 hours)
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Stoodley Pike Circular
It doesn’t matter if you go by road or rail, you can reach the start of this spectacular walk in less than an hour from Leeds. It’s 8.7-miles long and covers some of West Yorkshire’s finest natural landmarks. You’ll head from Hebden Bridge – which is one of our favourite Yorkshire days out in itself – towards Hebble End where the signs will send you up to Stoodley Pike.
Get ready for breathtaking views over Calderdale, but make sure you leave time to visit the 121-foot Battle of Waterloo monument before you head back via the calm waters of the Rochdale Canal.
Start point: Hebden Bridge Station – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 8.7 miles (4-5 miles).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Hawksworth Wood
This pretty 6.7-mile walk around North West Leeds starts with a woodland wander around Hawksworth near Kirkstall Abbey. It’s a pretty tree-covered walk, well-kept with abundant wildlife, but this is just the beginning. From here, you’ll walk along the River Aire, upstream towards the cast iron Newlay Bridge – we like to pause across the road where you’ll find The Abbey Inn.
It’s then on to the Leeds Liverpool Canal towpath towards Calverley Bridge, before you pivot back towards the start through Hunger Hills, Haigh Wood and Oil Mill Beck via the Leeds Country Way.
Start point: Hawksworth Wood – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 6.7 miles (3-4 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Leeds Canal Walk
Want to enjoy both the city’s industrial heritage and the region’s natural beauty? The Leeds Canal Walk is 13-miles long, but ever-so-straightforward. Start in the city centre at the Royal Armouries and pass Granary Wharf before you head west.
You can see the flora and fauna at the Kirkstall Valley and Rodley nature reserves, explore the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey and take on the woodland trails of Bramley Hall Park and Calverley Woods, all before you reach the end in Shipley. Get here with enough time to pop by Salt’s Mill in Saltaire – this is a true Yorkshire gem with cafes, galleries and shops.
Start point: Royal Armouries – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 13 miles (4-5 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Castle Hill Circular
The Castle Hill Circular is one of our favourite Yorkshire walks. It requires an hour-long trip to Huddersfield, but it’s well worth it, with the walk starting and ending at a Scheduled Ancient Monument. You’ll discover the remains of a 12th-century motte-and-bailey castle, two Iron Age forts and the site of a deserted medieval village as you go – the views from the castle over Huddersfield and beyond is breathtaking.
Stop to take it all in ahead of a four-mile wander that will take you across Almondbury Common and through Molly Carr Wood, Arthur Wood and Farnley Hill.
Start point: Castle Hill Side, Huddersfield – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4 miles (2 hours)
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Marsden Moor
Marsden Moor is the picturesque setting for this beautiful nine-mile hike. Expect a mix of stunning views and brilliant landmarks as you start at St Bartholomew’s Church and take the path along the Narrow Canal up to the moor. You’ll soon reach Haigh Clough and March Haigh Reservoir, but the views keep getting better and better as you continue to Dinner Stone, Millstone Edge and Pule Hill.
On the way back, you’ll pass Redbrook Reservoir and the Duke of Lancaster Regiment Memorial. But we love a little detour over to Butterley Reservoir, with steps taking you down into town.
Start point: Church Lane, Marsden – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 9 miles (4-5 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Harrogate Pinewoods
Looking for great walks for the whole family ? Harrogate Pinewoods offers 1.5 miles of pastoral perfection. It’s great for little walkers and shouldn’t take much more than an hour to complete. Get ready for a gentle stroll, full of woodland and parkland, ready made for your wee adventurers.
You can even enjoy all kinds of animal spotting – from squirrels to starlings, sparrows and marlings – before stopping for a well-deserved picnic in the Valley Gardens. Want to make a proper day of it? Extend your stay with a visit to RHS Harlow Carr next door.
Start point: Harlow Moor Drive, Harrogate – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 1.5 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Guiseley to Menston Circular
If you like stunning views and well-known landmarks, this four-mile circular walk is perfect. It’ll take you from Guiseley to Menston and back again. Start at the White Cross Roundabout, make a beeline for the High Royds Pond and head into The Bluebell Wood – time it right to see how they get their name.
From here, you’ll follow peaceful country lanes and wander across open farmland with more than a few twists, turns and pitstops. We suggest stopping to appreciate the incredible views of the Otley Chevin, the Wharfe Valley and the imposing Almscliff Crag, with another in The Menston Arms pub.
Start point: White Cross Roundabout, Guiseley – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Lindley Wood Reservoir
You’ll find Lindley Wood Reservoir just a few miles north of Otley and this gentle two-mile gem of a walk is an absolute delight. You can explore the lovely Washburn Valley as you wander through the woods and along the banks of Greystone Beck.
Once you reach Lindley Wood Reservoir, take a break on one of the benches by the water as you look out on the rare birds that call it home – we’re talking bullfinches, woodpeckers and warblers. You’ll then carry on to Norwood Bottom and back into the picturesque village of Lindley to finish.
Start point: River Washburn, Leathley Lane – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 2 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Lydgate Circular
Lydgate sits on the outskirts of Todmorden, just under an hour from Leeds, but this 4.3-mile moorland stroll is well worth the trip. It starts with a 200-metre climb to the moors, but the terrain is easy, and once you get to the top, you can gaze out from a series of gritstone outcrops.
There’s the cliff-side Hawk Stones to visit too, before you head to the gravity-defying Great Bridge Stones. From here, the downhill trek promises stunning views across the valley below. But don’t be surprised if you have some pals on your way up and down – sheep love to graze up here!
Start point: Stoney Royd Lane, Lydgate – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4.3 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
In Sight of Simon’s Seat
In Sight of Simon’s Seat is a fairly easy six-mile walk that shows off some of the finest parts of the Yorkshire Dales, so you won’t be alone on this trek. The village of Appletreewick is just under an hour from Leeds, and it’s from here that you’ll start your walk.
There’s a small climb as you make your way over to the River Wharfe, which you’ll follow for most of the route. From here, you can enjoy a serene valley ramble and stunning moorland views as you pass Skyreholme, Trolley Gill and Appletreewick Pasture, with the crest of Simon’s Seat following you in the distance.
Start point: The New Inn, Appletreewick – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 6 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Leathley Circular
Nestled between Otley and Pool-in-Wharfedale, the postcard-perfect village of Leathley is just under 30 minutes from Leeds. This leisurely six-mile circular route that takes you through Lindley, Braythorn and Leafield is a must for keen ramblers in Leeds.
You can soak up the beautiful views around Leathley Hall and Riffa Wood, before you head past the pretty village of Stainburn. Along the way, you won’t be able to resist a jump across the stepping stones on Thrispin Beck. There’s no doubt it’s an absolute winner if you’ve got kids with you.
Start point: Stainburn Close, Leathley – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 6 miles (3-4 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
