Start your day right with a quality cup of coffee and a walk through some of Yorkshire’s most stunning scenery.
Nothing elevates a great walk quite like a cup of perfectly brewed coffee in your hand. From riverside strolls to countryside loops, there’s a walk to suit all levels – and you can usually find a cup of North Star coffee nearby. We’ve rounded up seven places where you can get a cup of North Star’s finest and step right out onto a walking route.
North Star & Leeds Dock and Canal Walk
Credit: Gary Butterfield
Let’s kick things off at North Star’s flagship cafe on Leeds Dock. Decked out with floor-to-ceiling windows and airy interiors, it’s a great place to sit and enjoy your coffee, but we’re heading out onto the waterside. From here, walk straight out onto the canal towpath for a scenic, easy-paced walk.
You can loop around the Leeds Dock area for a shorter jaunt, or head east toward the Royal Armouries and onwards towards Hunslet or Thwaite Mills for something longer. With views of converted warehouses, canal boats and colourful murals, there’s plenty to admire along the way.
Starting point: North Star Coffee Shop, Unit 32 The Boulevard, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1PZ.
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Pudding Lab & Boston Spa Circular
Pudding Lab is a sweet stop for your caffeine fix, serving North Star coffee alongside some seriously aesthetic bakes. Once you’ve got your cup – and a cake – head off onto the Boston Spa Circular for a picturesque ramble, enjoying scenic views of the River Wharfe.
You’ll follow the river for a decent stretch before winding through nearby countryside and looping back around. The walk is fairly straightforward with a few gentle inclines, but it can get muddy in places, so remember to wear suitable footwear. Taking around two hours, it’s perfect for a morning outing.
Starting point: Pudding Lab, 154a High Street, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 6BW.
Duration: Around 2 hours.
Toast House & Ilkley Moor
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
A day out in Ilkley always delights, and this adventure takes you from comforting coffee shop to dramatic moorland. You’ll start at Toast House, a laidback spot near the train station. Order a perfectly-poured cappuccino and a slice of honey & banana toast to keep you fuelled for the walk ahead – you’ll need it.
This circular route begins in West View Park – a 10-minute walk from the cafe. From here, you’ll climb the Dales Way Link to the Moor’s summit, taking in sweeping views. There’s plenty to look out for, like the mysterious Twelve Apostles stone circle, Ilkley Crags and the famous Cow and Calf Rocks.
Starting point: Toast House, 2 Leeds Road, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 8DS.
Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours.
Ciao & York Museum Gardens and the River Ouse
Ciao serves up Italian gelato, homemade toasties and North Star coffee in the shadow of some of York’s most-loved treasures. Once the barista calls your name, step into the adjacent Museum Gardens – a 10-acre green space home to Roman ruins, rare plants and even a medieval abbey.
For a longer walk, follow the River Ouse north, walking along Dame Judi Dench Walk as you spot wildlife, boats and rowers on the river. Cross over the Clifton Bridge and walk back on the opposite riverbank, enjoying views of York Minster as you reapproach the city centre.
Starting point: Ciao, Museum Street, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7FR.
Duration: 30 mins to 1.5 hours.
Ryburn Vinyl & Coffee Shop & Sowerby Bridge
Sowerby Bridge is oozing with laidback charm, and it’s perfect for your next weekend wander. Ryburn Vinyl & Coffee Shop is a great place to start – part record store, part caffeine hub, you can sip on a cup of North Star’s best while doing some crate digging. The store is perched next to the canal, making it an ideal launch spot for a gentle loop of the town.
You’ll follow the Rochdale Canal towpath east, passing locks, narrowboats and old stone warehouses. After crossing to the Calder & Hebble Navigation, the return leg winds alongside the river, offering a peaceful glimpse of West Yorkshire’s industrial past. It’s an accessible route with no real hills – all you need is your coffee and a good coat.
Starting point: Ryburn Vinyl & Coffee Shop , 107 Halifax Rd, Ripponden, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 4DA.
Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours.
Good Karma House & Wellholme Park
Good Karma House is a legendary coffee shop in Brighouse where streetwear aesthetics meet larger-than-life food and a positive mental attitude. Grab a delightful Biscoff Latte and get ready to stride out to nearby Wellholme Park for a feel-good wander.
This gentle route loops along Brighouse Beck on the edge of the woodland, taking you past flowerbeds and wide grassy areas. The paths are mainly flat and accessible, and it’s ideal for dog walking – you can take the pooch back into the dog-friendly Karma House after for treats and cuddles!
Starting point: Good Karma House, 9 Lawson Road, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6 1NY.
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Bakeri Baltzersen & Wetherby River Walk
Bakeri Baltzersen serves up a slice of Scandi cafe culture in the heart of Wetherby, complete with crisp pastries and freshly-brewed North Star coffee. With your flat white in hand, make your way down to the River Wharfe for a gentle circular walk by the waterside.
You’ll follow riverside paths as you soak in Wetherby’s distinct charm – pale stone buildings with red-tiled roofs, hedgerows and fertile farmland. Keep an eye out for the historic Flint Mill and the restored weir, reminders of Wetherby’s medieval past.
Starting point: Bakeri Baltzersen, 41 High Street, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS22 6LR.
Duration: 45 mins to 1 hour.
