Leeds is jam-packed with incredible walks, but which are the best? These 15 need to be at the very top of your list.
Love the great outdoors? Leeds is your oyster. Believe it or not, the natural world is right on your doorstep, whether you’re in the city centre or out in the suburbs – and going for a walk is the perfect way to see it.
There are easy family-friendly walks you can do around the city’s most scenic parks or more testing hikes out in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside that are as rewarding as they are challenging. Take a look and choose your next rambling adventure.
The Meanwood Valley Trail
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This 7-mile hike is one of the most popular walks in Leeds and with good reason, The Meanwood Valley Trail starts (or ends) just minutes from the city centre, so you could kick off your next adventure sooner than you think.
The whole trail goes from Woodhouse Moor to Golden Acre Park – or you can split it up into three more manageable parts that even the kids will enjoy. As you go, you can enjoy views from Woodhouse Ridge, explore The Hollies, meet the breathtaking Seven Arches Aqueduct and pass a host of nature reserves.
Start point: Woodhouse Moor Car Park – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 7 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Rawdon Billing
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It might only be 2-miles long, but this circular route around Rawdon Billing is one of the best walks in Leeds. You shouldn’t underestimate it – you’ll have to tackle fairly challenging terrain and wide-open spaces that are exposed to all the elements if the weather isn’t on your side.
Kick things off at Jubilee Hall car park before you take the calf-crunching uphill paths that lead to Billing Dam, Larkfield Dam and Billing Hill. It’s the perfect jaunt if you’re short on time, but still fancy a challenging escapade into the great outdoors in the heart of Leeds.
Start point: Jubilee Hall – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 2 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Fulneck Loop Circular
If you’re looking for easygoing walks in Leeds, this 5-mile route that straddles the Leeds and Bradford boundaries is perfect. You’ll make your way through the beauty of Pudsey Beck valley along well-kept bridleways that are easy enough for walkers of all abilities.
It starts at Tong Hall, just over the Bradford border, before you head into Leeds along Keeper Lane and walk towards the historic Fulneck Moravian Settlement. Look out for all kinds of birds, insects and sea critters in Pudsey Beck and Tyersal Beck, before you head back to the start through the beautiful Black Carr Woods.
Start point: Keeper Lane – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 5 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Hawksworth Wood Circular
This pretty 6.7-mile walk around North West Leeds kicks off with a woodland wander through Hawksworth Wood not far from Kirkstall Abbey. After a tree-lined pootle, you’ll soon join the path alongside the River Aire where you can enjoy the wildflower meadows and spot everything from woodpeckers to roe deer.
Make your way to Newlay Bridge in Horsforth to join the Leeds-Liverpool Canal towpath towards Calverley Bridge. Then it’s time to pivot back towards the start through the picturesque Hunger Hills, Haigh Wood and Oil Mill Beck.
Start point: Hawksworth Wood – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 6.7 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Eccup Reservoir Circular
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Eccup Reservoir is undoubtedly one of the best walks in Leeds, with views across the water to absolutely die for. You’ll start this leisurely family-friendly stroll on Alwoodley Lane, before you wander in the shade of the trees past Goodrick Plantation and through Owlet Hall Farm.
From here, you’ll step out into the awesome landscape of the reservoir. Work your way around the edge taking in the beautiful scenery as you go, particularly on a sunny day, maybe stopping for a picnic along the way, before making your way back to the start.
Start point: Alwoodley Lane – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 5.2 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
The Dales Way Link
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This is the daddy of all walks. The Dales Way Link is a 20-mile route that will take you a whole day to complete, but you can also split it into smaller, more manageable routes. It starts on Woodhouse Moor and takes you all the way to Ilkley, with some incredible landmarks along the way.
Explore Adel Woods, enjoy the views from Otley Chevin and take in the stunning natural landscape of The Cow and Calf. And that just scratches the surface. Part of the route is easy, but you’ll have to dig deep to complete it with a series of challenging hills and paths.
Start point: Woodhouse Moor – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 20 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Trans Pennine Trail
Credit: David Botham
The Trans Pennine Trail is one of the most famous walks in the UK – but don’t worry, we’re not suggesting that you do the whole 215 miles, just the Leeds to Wakefield section. This is a challenging 14-mile route between the Royal Armouries and Wakefield.
It’ll take you past the historic Thwaite Mills Industrial Museum, the picturesque village of Methley and the stunning St Aidan’s Nature Reserve before you wind your way along the banks of the wildlife-rich Aire-Calder Navigation to finish up at the Stanley Ferry Marina.
Start point: Royal Armouries – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 14 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
The Lines Way
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This was the working Garforth-Castleford railway line until 1969, but it has now been transformed into one of best nature walks in Leeds. You’ll start in Allerton Bywater and take in three incredible nature reserves as you follow the 9-mile route.
Be sure to look out for the wild meadows of Letchmire Pastures, the eclectic fauna of Townclose Hills and the natural woodlands of Hollinhurst Wood. The kids can have a great time too, as they run through the old arches just like the trains used to and discover the beauty of Mother Nature in the surrounding areas.
Start point: Allerton Bywater – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 9 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Wyke Beck Valley Way
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The best walk to see both Roundhay Park and Temple Newsam in one day is on the 6.1-mile Wyke Beck Valley Way. This North to South Leeds route starts at Roundhay Park, one of the biggest urban parks in Europe, before you make your way through some of Leeds’ greenest areas.
You can enjoy the beauty of Wykebeck Woods, Arthur’s Rein and Fearnville Fields, before you reach the end at Temple Newsam. Take your time and enjoy one of the great historic English estates, which combines history and nature with a farm the kids will love.
Start point: Roundhay Park – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 6.1 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Leeds Country Way
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The biggest walk of all is the Leeds Country Way. It’s a staggering 62-mile route that surrounds the whole city like a natural ring road, taking in some of the city’s biggest landmarks along the way. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be done in one day – it can be split into 12 parts and there’s something special to see on each one.
Whether it’s the views across Eccup Reservoir, the beautiful woodland of Barnbowl Wood, the ruins of Howley Hall or the historic Fulneck Moravian Settlement, the Leeds Country Way is as rewarding a walk as you’ll ever do.
Start point: Golden Acre Park – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 62 miles.
Difficulty: Hard.
Route: Check out the route.
Ilkley Moor Circular
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This 6.3-mile trail around the famous Ilkley Moor is easily one of the best walks in Leeds. You’ll start at West View Park and take the lane towards White Wells, an 18th-century spa and baths. It’s a fairly easy-going route as you ramble across the heather-covered moorland like locals have done for centuries.
You’ll come to impressive landmarks to stop at, like Ilkley Crags, Twelve Apostles and Lower Lanshaw Drop, before soaking in the views from the famous Cow and Calf rocks. Rocky Valley and The Tarn will then provide the perfect end to this hike.
Start point: West View Park – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 6.3 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
St Aidan’s Reedbed Ramble
Credit: RSPB
St Aidan’s Nature Reserve is a real hidden gem. You’ll find it out in the Leeds countryside, and the Reedbed Ramble takes you around one of its main attractions – the 2.8-mile route shows off the incredibly rare reedbeds, one of the only places in the UK where this is possible.
You might get lucky and see the bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers that fly around here, as well as some of St Aidan’s most beautiful spots as you pass the stunning Lemonroyd Lake, Fleakingley Reservoir and Astley Lake. It’s perfect for families too and you can even bring the buggy.
Start point: Visitor’s Centre at St Aidan’s Nature Reserve – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 2.8 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
The Thorner Moor Circular
It’s only 20 minutes from the centre of Leeds, but Thorner is a quintessential countryside village and the best way to see it is on this 8-mile walk. Start from St Peter’s Church before you head over Thorner Moor where you can appreciate the sweeping views as you pass the vast Bramham Park Estate.
You’ll get to visit Stubbing Moor and Wothersome Lake on your way around, before you explore the natural wonders of Hetchell Wood Nature Reserve, the mysterious Pompocali Earthworks and popular climbing spot, Hetchell Crags.
Start point: St Peter’s Church – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 8 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Leeds Canal Walk
The Leeds Canal Walk gives you the best of both worlds – you can discover the city’s illustrious history while you enjoy the local scenery. It’s a long, but straightforward 13-mile route that starts at Royal Armouries and passes Granary Wharf, before you head west out of the city centre.
As you go, you can explore the flora and fauna at the Kirkstall Valley and Rodley Nature Reserve, get up close to the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey and enjoy the woodland trails of Bramley Fall Park and Calverley Woods, all before you reach the end in Shipley and Saltaire.
Start point: Royal Armouries – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 13 miles.
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Beamsley Beacon
The picturesque village of Beamsley is tucked away between Ilkley and Skipton and it’s home to a corker of a walk not far from Leeds. This moderate 7-mile route takes you around the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
You’ll enjoy both stunning countryside views and historical landmarks as you climb the paths up to the Beamsley Beacon which looks out across Wharfedale. You’ll then cross Kex Beck and walk over Beamsley Moor, but not before you check out the unusual architecture of the old Beamsley Hospital.
Start point: Langbar Road – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 7 miles.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
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