Harrogate Borough Walks

Harrogate is a pretty spa town and popular tourist spot in North Yorkshire, and it sits in the middle of its own larger borough which includes the surrounding towns of Ripon, Knaresbrough, Boroughbridge and Masham. It also includes some of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which we have treated as a separate area. There are a range of town, country, woodland and waterside walks in Harrogate Borough, as well as lovely parkland around Fountains Abbey.

Countryside Walks

A ramble from Ripon – A 6 mile walk from the town centre into the countryside surrounding the ancient cathedral city of Ripon

The Aldwark Ramble – A circular 4 mile route through cultivated, wildlife-rich countryside with links to kings, witches and the Battle of Hastings

Fountains Abbey: Boots, gaiters and vistas walk – A 5 mile route round the boundary of the estate with fantastic views of the abbey, and through the water garden.

Fountains Abbey to Markenfield Hall – a 6ish mile walk between the ruins of the Abbey and the medieval Manor

The Langthorne Loop – A 3 mile long walk of history and imagination taking in an ancient battle cite, a prisoner’s cell and a windmill among other things

The Lower Dunsforth Loop – A gentle 2.5 mile walk round the Domesday town of Dunsforth and the surrounding fertile flood plain

The Marton-cum-Grafton Eight – A 3 mile figure of eight walk around the twin villages of Marton and Grafton and the surrounding countryside

Masham: Mr Danby’s Druidic Dream – A 4.3 mile gentle walk from a peculiar mock-druidic temple through rich farmland

The Masham Leaves – A 3 mile walk through a series of sculptures which were produced in the 90s from local quarried limestone

The Myton Loops – Two circular routes making up a 6 mile walk (which can be broken down) which takes in some architectural gems and the site of a bloody battle

Ripon to Studley Circular – A 5 mile walk from Ripon Market Square to Studley Deer Park and Lake through woodland and open fields

The Roman Ramble – A 3.5 mile walk through time including a 14th century battle site, Victorian and Elizabethan architecture and a Roman settlement.

The Staveley Circle – A 5.5 mile walk (which can be made shorter if required) takes in a nature reserve and tiny, little-known river

Studley Roger & the Valley of the Seven Bridges – A 4 mile walk via Studley Royal Park, Fountains Abbey and the famous valley.

A Day Out at Ripley – A 4.75 mile stroll around the outskirts and countryside of Ripley and Hampsthwaite

Parkland Walks

Fountains Abbey Mythical Walk – Exploring the many mythical connections between Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Fountains Abbey Ancient Trees – A 2.5 mile walk around the ancient trees in the Deer Park

Fountains Abbey Deer Park – A 3 mile walk compiled by the Estate’s deer warden. Keep an eye out for the 500 wild deer!

Fountains Abbey & Studley Park History Walk – A 4.5 ile walk, exploring the stages in the estate’s history

Valley Gardens and RHS Garden Harlow Carr – A gentle 1.5 mile walk through two of Harrogate’s great formal gardens

Waterside Walks

The Roecliffe Ramble - A 5 mile gentle circular walk through the picturesque village of Roecliffe and along the banks of the River Ure

Hackfall Woods Cascades & Follies – A 1.5 mile walk exploring the water features and buildings in Hackfall Woods, including the Forty Foot Fall

Hackfall Woods Riverside Rambler – A 2.5 mile circular walk taking in the picturesque landscape, following a cascading stream

Ripon Canal Walk - A 2.2 mile walk along the Ripon Canal, designed to help boats navigate the difficult stretches of the River Ure

Swinsty Reservoir – A 3 mile route round this reservoir, nestled in the stunning Washburn Valley with breathtaking views

Thruscross Reservoir – A more challenging 4.5 mile walk through woodland, pastures and moorland surrounding the reservoir.

Thruscross from the Stonehouse Inn – A 5.5 mile walk round the magnificent reservoir and Washburn Valley

Literary and Heritage Walks

The Bronte Trail – A 5 mile walk following in the footsteps of Anne and Branwell Bronte who were employed at Thorpe Green Hall between 1840 and 1845.

Ripon Sanctuary Walk – 2, 3 or 4 hour options to walk the historical Sanctuary Boundary of Ripon

Woodland Walks

A Glimpse of Hackfall – A 0.75 bitesize overview of Hackfall Woods with panoramic views

Hackfall Explorer – A 4.5 mile exploration of the wood allowing walkers to enjoy the full Hackfall experience

The Harrogate Link

The Harrogate Dalesway is a long-established, linear route from Harrogate to Bolton Abbey which links into the Dales Way. The Harrogate Link has been created to offer an alternative to the first part of this to avoid a busy A road and to connect Harrogate and Ilkley. The Link is broken down into smaller linear chunks, as follows:

• Part One – Harrogate to Pot Bank, 2.2 miles
• Part Two – Pot Bank to Haverah Park, 4.2 miles
• Part Three – Haverah Park to Swinsty Reservoir, 1.9 miles
• Part Four – Swinsty to Lippersley Ridge, 3.6 miles
• Part Five – Lippersley Ridge to Ilkley, 4.2 miles

Thanks to the following organisations who published the above walks

• North Yorkshire County Council
• YoreVision – Ure Walks Through Time
• The National Trust
• The AA
• Ripon Tourist Information
• Harrogate Country
• The Ramblers Association
• The Woodland Trust
• The Canal & River Trust
• Yorkshire Water