5 of the Best Pub Walks in Leeds

Looking for the best pub walks in Leeds? From canal-side strolls and city routes to countryside trails and reservoir loops, these walks pair scenic views with excellent pubs along the way.

If you love a ramble with a reward at the end (or halfway round), these routes tick all the boxes. Expect everything from easy-going waterside wanders to longer countryside treks, each with well-placed pub stops for a pint, a bite to eat or both.

If you’re planning a full day out, take a look at our guide to the best beer gardens in Leeds for even more great spots to stop off in the sunshine.

The Waterfront Pub Crawl

With both the River Aire and Leeds-Liverpool Canal winding their way through the city centre, this waterfront stroll is one of the best pub walks in Leeds. Start at The Vesper Gate, just by Kirkstall Abbey, before walking past abbey ruins to get to the River Aire. Here you can veer off to West End House or stay along the river to visit the Bridge Inn, which boasts a wealth of great Kirkstall Brewery beers, cracking pub grub and lovely river views.

After your pint, cross the road on the bridge and head along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal in the direction of the city, where you’ll come across one of the most underrated parks in Leeds, Gotts Park. This will take you as far as a footbridge which will join up with the canalside path. Head towards the city to see the industrial history of Leeds, with old mills and factories lining the water on either side.

Take in the vibrant waterside while making the most of a host of waterfront bars. Go off the path by crossing the lock to The Cross Keys and The Midnight Bell on Water Lane or carry on along to Granary Wharf, a former industrial area that’s been brought back to life in the past decade. It’s home to the likes of The Hop, SALT and Water Lane Boathouse, perfect choices if you fancy one last tipple on your route.

Best for: A longer canal-side walk with plenty of pub stops along the way.
Start point: The Vesper Gate – find it on Google maps.
Distance: 13 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.

Ilkley Heritage Walk

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The Ilkley Heritage Walk takes you on a stunning trip through the area’s natural wonders, as well as starting and ending at one of the best watering holes around – The Cow and Calf. You can look at the stunning rock formations of the same name, before nipping in for a bite to eat and a drink at the pub. From here, you’ll explore Ilkley Moor, walking first to Hangingstone Quarry, before heading off on Waypoint 1 (all Waypoints are signposted) to Backstone Beck.

From here, you join Waypoint 2, which takes you above the Rocky Valley with views over Ilkley and the Wharfe Valley. But when you reach Waypoint 3, it’s decision time. Continue on the 30-minute route back to Ilkley or extend your wander on the Dick Hudsons’ Path (so named because it leads you to Bingley’s Dick Hudsons pub). It’s a 4-hour round-trip back to the start of Waypoint 3, but the beer and scenery are well worth it if you have the time and energy.

If you choose to stay on the Waypoint 3 route, you can enjoy a walk up to White Wells where you’ll find a little cafe for a break, then follow the path round to the stream at Gill Head. When you join Waypoint 4, you’ll walk up to the Crocodile Rock which then leads you back to Hangingstone Quarry at Waypoint 5. From here you’ll drop down below the rocks, and back to The Cow and Calf pub for a very well-deserved pint and bite to eat.

Best for: Countryside views and a more challenging walk with rewarding scenery.
Start point: The Cow and Calf – find it on Google maps.
Distance: 4.7 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.

The Aireborough Greenway

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A popular route with cyclists and walkers alike, The Aireborough Greenway is a perfect way to see the natural wonders around the suburbs of Guiseley and Yeadon, with plenty of places to stop for a drink while you’re at it. Kick your walk off at Guiseley Station before making your way onto Otley Road, where you can dive straight into the aptly named The Station pub for a pre-wander refreshment if you so wish – but not too many.

From there, it’s only an easygoing 1.5-mile ramble to get to the end of the Greenway, so why not take your time and make the most of it? You can wander down Silverdale Avenue and onto Coach Road, which becomes a pedestrianised footpath and cycle route that will take you through plenty of fields and greenery, before you head over the train tracks and follow the path towards Yeadon.

You can walk up to Well Lane and visit The Robin Hood pub or head down Town Street where Nest Bar, Brewhouse and The Crown await, before roaming past Yeadon Town Hall, and into The Clothiers Arms near the Harper Lane junction for a cheap Wetherspoons pint. The real star of the show comes next, after you nip into The New Inn on Cemetery Road or The White Swan on High Street – you can discover the beauty of Yeadon Tarn Park to finish one of the best pub walks in Leeds.

Best for: A short, easy walk with multiple pub options near the finish.
Start point: Guiseley Station – find it on Google maps.
Distance: 1.5 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.

Meanwood Valley Trail

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The Meanwood Valley Trail is the perfect route to take if you want to get back to nature with a few pub stops – and it’s only minutes away from the city centre. Your walk can be as long as you want it to be because the 7-mile trail is broken up into three easy to complete sections. Start off at the corner of Woodhouse Moor. This first part takes you along Delph Lane, where you can detour to the character-packed Chemic Tavern, on nearby Woodhouse Street.

Then rejoin the path on Woodhouse Ridge, walking through a lovely forest with open clearings for amazing views across the city. The path takes you up to Meanwood Park where you can veer off the track to stop in for a well-deserved pint at Alfred, the Meanwood branch of North Bar, Terminus, the Meanwood Brewery taproom, The Meanwood Tavern, Whitelock’s suburban sibling, or Boot & Rally, a must-visit for craft beer lovers.

The second part of the route takes you from Meanwood Park, where you can enjoy the natural beauty of The Hollies and the ruins of Scotland Mill, to the banks of Meanwood Beck. Slip off for a pint at The Myrtle Tavern here and then continue the walk towards Adel, stopping at the Seven Arches Aqueduct. At Adel Woods, you can do a 20-minute detour to The Foundation on Otley Road, or if not, you can follow the trail up to Golden Acre Park, but be warned, this is a pub-less section of the walk.

Best for: A nature-filled walk close to the city centre with lots of pub stop-offs.
Start point: Woodhouse Moor – find it on Google maps.
Distance: 7 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.

Eccup Reservoir

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There are only two stop offs on this pub walk around Leeds’ Eccup Reservoir, but it’s one of the most beautiful you’ll go on – and the pubs are pretty good to boot. Start off at The Lord Darcy on Harrogate Road, where you can go for a drink and a bite to eat to prepare you for the undulating 5.2-mile trek you’re about to embark on. From there, take Sandmoor Lane to Alwoodley Lane where this epic walk really begins in earnest.

You’ll follow a leafy lane up towards Sand Moor Golf Course, which takes you up to the paths that lead around a lengthy circuit of Eccup Reservoir – make a little time for a proper stroll, it’s quite long, but the views are worth it. You can then join the Dales Way at the edge of the Goodrich Plantation, walking up to Rookery Farm before heading along the water and over the Dam Bridge – the vista here is one of the most rewarding parts of your ramble.

Once you’ve peeled your eyes away from the water, take a little walk up Eccup Lane to The New Inn, a dog and family-friendly watering hole that does epic food and great beers, for a bit of well-deserved respite, before rejoining the walk at Eccup Moor Road, following the paths back around Sand Moor Golf Course and up to Alwoodley Lane. It’d be rude not to pop back into The Lord Darcy to finish your day, wouldn’t it? Mine’s a pint!

Best for: A scenic circular walk with big views and a couple of well-earned pub stops.
Start point: The Lord Darcy – find it on Google maps.
Distance: 5.2 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.

Joseph Sheerin Senior Writer

Joseph is one of the longest-serving members of the Leeds-List team. Having lived in Leeds for over 15 years, he knows the city inside out. From restaurants and gig venues to walking routes and coffee shops, he’s explored it all and written about the experience. Joseph has also been a freelance music writer for Trinity Mirror Group – his passion for music is as strong as his love for Leeds.

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