Beautiful views, natural landmarks and historic attractions – Yorkshire’s rivers could be the destination for your next walk.
Yorkshire is home to an almost endless amount of fantastic river walks, so we’ve cherry-picked 10 of the best we’ve done. We’ve gone through ancient woodlands, walked alongside stunning waterfalls and discovered amazing natural wonders. Sounds good, right? So next time you’re lacing up your walking boots, make a beeline for the region’s rivers – you won’t regret a step.
Upper Wharfedale Circular
Wharfedale’s most beautiful features show themselves in the finest light on this leisurely 7-mile walk that sets off from Buckden. There’s limestone uplands, enchanting valleys and picturesque waterfalls, all of which come into view on a rewarding route that follows the River Wharfe.
It’s on your shoulder for much of the ramble, as you take riverside paths to Hubberholme, Yockenthwaite and the historic Scar House before discovering the quaint village of Cray. Finish up with a woodland wander through Rakes Wood back to Buckden.
Start point: National Trust Car Park, Buckden – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 7 miles (4-5 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Masham Circular
If one river just isn’t enough, take on this 4.7-mile jaunt around Masham – you’ll get two for your troubles. It starts in the town centre, from where you’ll follow the Ripon Rowel across broad bean fields towards the River Burn. Picturesque woodlands take you to the water’s edge where you’ll find paths up to Low Burn Bridge.
This is a perfect place to pause, enjoy the scenery and look out for the local wildlife, before you follow the Burn as it flows into the River Ure. A tree-covered path will take you upstream on your way back into Masham.
Start point: Market Place, Masham – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4.7 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
The Strid Circular
The Strid is one of the best river walks in Yorkshire. Why? Park up at Bolton Abbey and you’ll soon find out. It starts with a leisurely stroll to the Cavendish Pavilion where waterside paths head into Strid Wood. The leafy surroundings provide a pleasant backdrop to the fast-moving river, which you’ll follow all the way up to Barden Bridge.
You can cross here to join the opposite pathway to go back to the start. It’s just 4.7-miles to complete the whole circuit, but if the weather’s good, you can even extend the walk up to Simon’s Seat.
Start point: The Dales Way near Cavendish Pavilion, Bolton Abbey – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4.7 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Mallerstang Circular
If you love history as much as nature, this 10-mile ramble through the glorious Mallerstang valley on the Cumbrian border of the Yorkshire Dales is a rewarding day out. It begins in Kirkby Stephen with a footpath pootle, hugging the banks of the River Eden as you make haste for the village of Nateby.
Sweeping green hills surround you on your way to Pendragon Castle, known for its connections with King Arthur. To head back to Kirkby Stephen, you’ll cross the river, but before the end, you’ll get to visit two more castles – Lammerside and Hartley.
Start point: North Road, Kirkby Stephen – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 10 miles (4-5 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate to hard.
Route: Check out the route.
Richmond and the River Swale Circular
Fancy an easy-going 3-mile river walk in Yorkshire? This encircling of Richmond is a beauty. It starts in the centre, but you’ll quickly cross Green Bridge where you can take in stunning views of Richmond Castle, before heading through ancient woodlands of Billy Bank, Round Howe and Hudswell Woods.
Once you’re at the River Swale, cross the Round Howe Footbridge and enjoy the views before you head along the riverside trail. A series of sun-kissed clearings open up on the way to Swale Rapids which take you back to the start.
Start point: Market Place, Richmond – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 3 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Littondale Circular
If you’re looking for a gentle walk in a quiet, picturesque stretch of the Yorkshire Dales, this leisurely 4.5-mile route will do the trick. The tiny village of Arncliffe is your starting point – there’s a series of easy-going paths that take you beside the little-known River Skirfare.
These will lead you into the wonderfully preserved ash woodland of Guildersbank on the way to another pretty village, Linton. Here, there’s a bridge for you to cross over, but it’s also a decent place for a little mid-walk pause. Then you’ll walk along the bottom of Cote Moor Top and back into Arncliffe.
Start point: Brootes Lane, Arncliffe – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4.5 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Grewelthorpe Circular
Grewelthorpe is a picturesque village in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but the star of this 6.7-mile walk is the River Ure. It kicks off with a stroll down Nutwith Lane and a 215-metre climb up to Horsepasture Hill.
Look out over the North York Moors and Nutwith Common on your way to the banks of the River Ure. Follow it downstream through the pasture fields at Badger Lane Farm and Nutwith Cote until you reach a swathe of woodland with a few clearings, perfect for a picnic. Then it’s back to the start along bridleways.
Start point: Nutwith Lane, Grewelthorpe – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 6.7 miles (3-4 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Jervaulx Abbey and the River Ure Walk
The historic ruins of the 12th-century Jervaulx Abbey are both the start and end of this breathtaking 7-mile jaunt around the lowlands of the Yorkshire Dales. You’ll head east from the abbey, past rolling fields that lead you down to the waters of the River Ure and over Kilgram Bridge towards Thornton Steward.
The 16th-century Danby Hall estate is your next pit-stop, before you once again cross the river at Cover Bridge and join the charming waterside paths back down to the old abbey ruins. One of the best river walks in Yorkshire? You bet.
Start point: Jervaulx Abbey, East Witton – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 7 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Arkengarthdale Circular
You can explore the beauty of Arkengarthdale with the River Arkle providing a stunning backdrop to your 6-mile hike. It’s one of the best river walks in Yorkshire, if a little underrated, because it has so much to offer.
You start off in Langthwaite, make your way past Eskeleth and into the charming hamlet of Whaw, passing rolling green fields and traditional stone cottages as you go. Leaving Whaw, you’ll cross the bridge and head back along Arkle Beck, which takes you past Scar House, a Georgian mansion and shooting lodge for the Duke of Norfolk, before returning to Langthwaite.
Start point: Booze Road, Arkengarthdale – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 6 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
West Burton and Aysgarth Falls Circular
Two sets of waterfalls and a beautiful river make this 5-mile circular walk one of the best in Yorkshire. You’ll start in the quaint village of West Burton and make your way to one of the Yorkshire Dales’ best-kept secrets – West Burton Waterfall.
Although, it’s slightly overshadowed by your next stop – the stunning Aysgarth Falls. You reach it by following the banks of the River Ure and walking through Freeholders’ Wood Nature Reserve along fairly easy bridleways. This leads you to the three flights of falls which roar over the limestone steps below.
Start point: Front Nook, West Burton – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 5 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
