Rocky roads and town trails
As COVID restrictions have begun to lift we are all catching up with loved ones – and there are few better ways than going for a walk together.
Sheffield-born broadcaster and host of various walking programmes Julia Bradbury said: “Research shows it’s good for the mind and edifying for the soul.”
Up to six people or two households are now allowed to meet in an outdoor space. Social distancing rules must still be followed.
We will not be able to travel and the message is still ‘stay home’. Al fresco dining areas are also open so it is possible to break-up a walk with a pub stop in an outdoor space.
As our ideas show, though, wherever you live in Yorkshire, you are never far from a good walk.
In part two of our twopart series on Yorkshire Walks we look at countryside and town and city walks.
For those longer walks overnight stays may be needed. In England, self-contained holiday accommodation, including self-catering lets as well as campsites have been open from Monday April 12.
Hotels and B&Bs can only open on May 17 at the earliest.
Country Walks Aysgarth Falls
This short two-and-ahalf mile loop around the Falls packs quite a punch – woodlands and waterfalls The bird life in St Joseph’s Wood, is abundant including treecreepers, chiffchaffs and warblers.
Coming out of the woods you’ll enjoy distant views of Castle Bolton, one of the country’s best preserved medieval castles, built in 1399.
Fell Beck Circular Head up to Brimham
Rocks, Summerbridge, near Harrogate, to begin the 4.7-mile trek. From here, take in the views over Nidderdale, an Area of Outstanding Beauty, before you head across the fields to Fell Beck. Make your way downstream, through the woodland and past Knox Hall.
City and Town Trails Leeds Owl Trail
Unique trail of 25 locations. The ‘Civic Owl Trail’ has ten locations and starts at Millennium Square. The Grand Owl Trail was 15 locations from South Parade down to the Leeds Minster at Kirkgate with plentiful zigzagging of the metropolis in between.
You can download a map at http://www.leedsowltrail. com site.
Roundhay Park
Leeds is also home to Roundhay Park which covers more than 700 acres of rolling parkland with lakes, woodlands, formal gardens, cafes, playgrounds.
It is also home to the Tropical World visitor attraction.
Fishing is permitted on Waterloo lake except by the boating area. The boating area is to the front of the cafe (up to the maintained grass area) and to where the path leaves the side of the lake on the opposite bank Wakefield City Centre Walking from Trinity Walk to Wakefield Cathedral and on to The Ridings and the Sun Lane Leisure Centre.
Harrogate
Walk through Harrogate’s Valley Gardens, through the pine woodlands of Harlow Hill to the horticultural gem that is RHS Harlow Carr.
Knaresborough
The circular route around the castle town takes in quiet lanes, riverside paths and ancient rights of way as it circles the town.
With less than 300 metres of climbing the route is achievable in one long day,
or can be broken up into several smaller more leisurely strolls.
Masham Swifts Town Trail
Masham’s tall stone buildings have made it a popular town for the swift, a bird which nests in the eves.
The large open shape of Masham’s Market Place makes the perfect arena for their high-speed frantic circling and in the summer months the swifts take full advantage of this. Nidderdale Greenway Ripley to Harrogate and Knaresborough, Harrogate
As well as developing the traffic-free path, the route development included bringing back into use the grade II listed, seven-arch Nidd
Gorge Viaduct and providing new safe crossings of the A61 near Ripley.
The route connects Bilton, North Harrogate, and Knaresborough with Ripley on a fantastic four-mile converted railway line.
Pateley Bridge Heritage Trail
Explore the Nidderdale town of Pateley Bridge through its history, its buildings and its surrounding landscape
The guide offers an introduction both to the town of Pateley Bridge and also to the history of the town and the surrounding landscape.
Download it free at https://nidderdaleaonb.org. uk site.