Expect golden leaves and stunning views as you wander through God’s Own County as autumn takes hold…
Autumn is a beautiful season, especially if you love a good old walk through the countryside. The air is crisp and the leaves are falling from the trees to form a golden footpath through some of the most breathtaking parts of Yorkshire. We’ve rounded up five of our favourite autumn rambles, taking you from beautiful waterfalls to leafy woodlands – which one will you do first?
Hardcastle Crags Mill Walk
The 3-mile Mill Walk around Hardcastle Crags is perfect for a leisurely autumn stroll. You’ll enjoy lovely views of Hebden Beck as you wander up the riverside path to Gibson Mill, a remnant of the area’s industrial past. From here, head into the beautiful wooded valley, which is covered in leaves from the massive oak and beech trees all around. If you look closely, you’ll be able to see loads of different types of fungi on the ground and possibly a few roe deer in the trees.
The walk starts at Midgehole Car Park, Midgehole Road, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 7AL. Check out the route.
May Beck and Falling Foss Circular
This spectacular 2-mile walk brings together breathtaking waterfalls and magical woodland scenery. Start at the May Beck car park, before you head through the picturesque woodland to Midge Hall, an old gamekeeper’s cottage where you can stop at the quaint Falling Foss Tea Garden. Grab a quick cuppa, then nip round to the 30-foot Falling Foss waterfall. After you’ve taken in the views, return to the start, as you go back through the woods, but this time alongside May Beck.
The walk starts at May Beck Car Park, Sneaton, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 5JE. Check out the route.
Swinsty Reservoir
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Swinsty Reservoir and the adjacent Fewston Reservoir are beautiful Yorkshire landmarks all year round, but this scenic spot is given new life during autumn. Take an anti-clockwise walk around Swinsty, which is lined almost all the way around by trees – the leaves create a lovely red, orange and gold carpet for you to walk on. There are incredible views along this 3-mile walk, as you look out across the Washburn Valley in the distance, and take in Norwood Edge Plantation, Fewston Embankment and Swinsty Hall.
The walk starts at Swinsty & Fewston Reservoir Car Park, North Yorkshire, LS21 2NP. Check out the route.
The Osmotherley Moors
This 5.2-mile walk through the Osmotherley Moors is stunning in autumn. It takes you along the Hambleton Hills, the westernmost part of the North York Moors. You’ll climb towards Arncliffe Wood, before you stop to take in the panoramic views across the Vale of Mowbray. From here, head through the ancient forest to Beacon Hill and make your way back down through the trees on Scarth Wood Moor until you reach the incredibly pretty Cod Beck Reservoir. It’s a sight to behold, so stop a while before you return to Osmotherley village.
The walk starts at Ruebury Lane, Osmotherley, North Yorkshire, DL6 3AW. Check out the route.
Brimham Boundary Walk
This 3.5-mile walk has the lot – swathes of heather moorland, incredible landmarks and beautiful autumnal woods. It’s an easygoing circular route that will see you follow a network of countryside footpaths before venturing into patches of Silver Birch woodland that look radiant at this time of year. After emerging from the trees, you’ll eventually cross a gulley and come across open swathes of heather and bracken moorland. From here, you can see the mighty Brimham Rocks ahead from a totally new angle. Then it’s a matter of navigating the winding footpaths back to reach the car park.
The walk starts at the Brimham Rocks car park, Summerbridge, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 4DW. Check out the route.
