Yorkshire’s forests are the perfect destination for your next walk, promising hidden landmarks, incredible views and leafy wanders.
Yorkshire and its forests provide the basis for a series of wonderful woodland walks that champion the region’s natural beauty. Whether you’re stomping through one of the biggest forests in the region or discovering the secret delights of a man-made woodland, you’re in for a treat the next time you don those walking boots and head into the forests of God’s Own County.
Dalby Forest Walk
If you want to go on a long, leisurely walk through the woods, take this 7.5-mile route around Dalby Forest. You’ll make your way along well-kept, easy-going paths, like the famous Shoulder of Mutton, which will lead you right across Thornton Dale.
Along the way, you can see Ellerburn Pond, The Bird Hide and an artificial bat cave so you have plenty of chances to spot different species of wildlife. Bringing the kids? They have activity trail packs for the little ones to complete as you walk through the trees.
Start point: Low Dalby car park – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 7.5 miles (3-4 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Clay Bank and Greenhow Plantation
It’s short at three miles long, but this woodland route in the Cleveland Hills is a must-do. There are incredible views and swathes of greenery in every direction as you tackle forest tracks which open up into dramatic views across the Cleveland plain.
You’ll spot landmarks like Roseberry Topping and the Captain Cook Monument in the distance, before you head back through the trees at the largely shaded Greenhow Plantation. The bridleways are all easygoing, but be prepared for a few calf-stretching climbs along the way.
Start point: Clay Bank Car Park, Middlesbrough – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 3.2 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Kilburn Forest Circular
The Kilburn Forest Circular is one of the longest, but most rewarding forest walks in Yorkshire. It’s 10.6-miles long and ideal for more experienced ramblers. Start in the quaint North Yorkshire village of Kilburn and make your way through the countryside to reach the historic Byland Abbey ruins.
From here, you’ll weave in and out of nearby forests like Abbey Bank Wood and Cockerdale Wood, which open up to incredible sights like Roulston Scar, Gormire Lake and Ivy Scar. You’ll even get up close to the famous White Horse, a figure cut into the side of a huge hill.
Start point: High Kilburn, North Yorkshire – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 10.6 miles (5-6 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Otley Chevin and the Surprise View
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Otley Chevin Forest Park is one of the best places for walks in Yorkshire and this short 2.7-mile route has plenty to offer. You’ll start at the Surprise View where you can appreciate the views across the valley before you make your way to the top of the ridge.
From here, you can see for miles to Simon’s Seat, Almscliffe Crag and the White Horse. Then you’ll walk through a series of pretty woodlands, passing a thin white beach coppice wood, before you head through Yorkgate Quarry and into the nature reserve.
Start point: Yorkgate Road, Otley – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 2.7 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Hawksworth Wood Circular
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A pretty 6.7-mile jaunt around North West Leeds, the Hawksworth Wood Circular starts right where you want it to – the woods! Just across from Kirkstall Abbey, it’s one of the best forest walks in Yorkshire, absolutely packed full of trees and wildlife, but this is just the start.
You’ll join riverside paths alongside the Aire and up towards Newlay Bridge in Horsforth, where you’ll follow the Leeds Liverpool Canal towpath to Calverley Bridge. There are more tree-covered landmarks to pass through at Hunger Hills, Haigh Wood and Oil Mill Beck before the end.
Start point: Hawksworth Wood, Leeds – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 6.7 miles (3-4 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
The Richmond Circular
You don’t just go through one forest on the three-mile Richmond Circular, you go through three. Head to Green Bridge where Richmond Castle provides quite the view. Then it’s time to delve into the trees as you climb up a series of ascents through Billy Bank Woods before you move on through Round Howe and Hudswell Woods.
Once you get to the River Swale, you can cross the footbridge to the riverside trail to appreciate the beautiful views over the water. Then it’s time to walk back to the start via a mix of easy-on-your-feet clearings and pretty tree-lined paths.
Start point: Market Place, Richmond – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 3 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Newtondale Circular
Newtondale is covered in tall, majestic trees as far as the eyes can see and this six-mile walk shows it off at its very best. You’ll start at Levisham Station, the home of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and head north.
The fairly well-kept trails will take you past The Grange, through Yorfalls Wood and into the trees next to Pickering Beck, before you tackle a series of steep and uneven climbs. They’re worth it – the upper section of this walk offers a deep woodland full of mosses, ferns and grasses. You’ll then head back along Waterpale Slack.
Start point: Levisham Station car park – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 6.1 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
The Hackfall Explorer
The Hackfall Explorer is just 2.7-miles long, but it’s one of the best forest walks you can do. You’ll take on tricky, hilly trails through a part of Yorkshire that isn’t quite what it seems. It’s totally unique, because although the beautiful woodland scenery looks like it’s been there for centuries, it’s actually man-made.
It was designed by the Aislabie family in the 18th century and this walk is the best way to see the wonders they created. Head through the steep woodland paths to discover beautiful gardens, follies, waterfalls and an ornate fountain before returning to the start.
Start point: Thorpe Road car park, Ripon – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 2.7 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Fountains Abbey Ancient Trees Circular
© Copyright National Trust Images/Chris Lacey
This easygoing 2.5-mile woodland wander through the ancient trees that surround Fountains Abbey is perfect for a quick escape into nature. It takes you from the Visitor Centre and up through the Deer Park – see if you can spot the sika, fallow and red deer as you go.
There are plenty of chances to stop and admire the forestry as you make your way across good-under-foot bridleways and footpaths. The impressive mix of oaks, sweet chestnuts, cherry trees and lime trees make Fountains Abbey the perfect day out for nature-lovers.
Start point:Fountains Abbey Visitor Centre, Ripon – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 2.5 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
The Strid Circular
The Strid at Bolton Priory is one of the best family-friendly forest walks in Yorkshire. It’s just 4.7-miles long and follows the course of the River Wharfe through the heart of Strid Wood. It’s filled with ancient oaks, so take the time to appreciate them as you weave between the trees and across the picturesque fields.
You’ll soon make your way over to Barden Bridge – be sure to soak up the spectacular views in both directions at this point – then you’ll cross to the other side passing the not-as-scary-as-it-sounds Valley of Desolation and back through more trees to the Priory.
Start point: Cavendish Pavilion, Bolton Abbey, Skipton, – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4.7 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
