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Walking in Harrogate: Five serious walks

Date Posted: Thursday 25th May 2023

Sometimes you want a challenge, sometimes you want the freedom of stepping away from the short walk where you’re never far from base, and it doesn’t really matter what pace you keep. Sometimes you want to tackle a walk that requires a little planning.

Experience the challenge of more serious walks in and around Harrogate with our collection of exciting long-distance walks. Most of these challenging routes demand a multi-day approach to complete, and one walk boasts breathtaking views of Yorkshire but comes with a big safety advisory.

The Nidderdale Way

Probably the most well-known of our long-distance walks - the Nidderdale Way is a 53 mile loop that stretches from the very top, to the very foot, of the Nidderdale Valley.

HARR Gallery Nidderdale Gouthwaite Nature Reserve 722737772

From Scar House Reservoir to Ripley Castle, this walk takes in all of Nidderdale’s best features and landmarks, with a few hidden gems included as well. The Nidderdale Way divides very neatly into 4 sections courtesy of a newly revised walk guide, though some people choose to tackle it in more, or less.

The Nidderdale Way was the first walk to feature across a whole series of Radio 4’s popular Ramblings programme.

The Nidderdale Way

Ripon Cathedral with rainbow Ripon City Council 1029955828

Ripon Rowels

Explore 49 miles of the lower valley of the River Ure, taking in the gently rolling hills and the historical curiosities that pepper the landscape around Ripon. This walk reaches from Ripon up to the quintessential dales town of Masham, before it works its way along quiet country lanes and paths to Fountains Abbey, passing by the popular Druids Temple folly en route.

The Ripon Rowels route is shown on OS maps and well signposted throughout.

Ripon Rowel Walk

Charlotte Gale Knaresborough Round 3 web

The Knaresborough Round

The 36 mile route encircles the medieval town of Knaresborough and passes along the River Nidd and through the Nidd Gorge, as well as touring the picturesque villages that surround Knaresborough such as Brearton, Ferrensby and Goldsborough.

This route is great for those who enjoy a long and challenging walk, but without any steep gradients or epic climbs – just beautiful open views, thriving hedgerows and the magnificent Yorkshire landscape.

Knaresborough Round Walking Route

The Harrogate Ringway

This route is very much the older sibling to the Knaresborough Round, and shares some of the same paths through the Nidd Gorge. The Harrogate Ringway tours the outskirts of Harrogate. This intricate route dips in and out of the town as it does what all the best walks do – follows its nose and explores those interesting paths and snickets that snake away around intriguing looking corners.

This walk is great for surprising even Harrogate locals and connects different parts of the town, popping the walker out where they were not expecting. For the most part this is an easy route to walk and follow, and at 20 miles is the shortest but the oldest of these long waymarked routes.

Harrogate Ringway

Yorkes of Bewerley Trail

Our last serious walk is not as serious in its length, but very serious in its terrain, including a gruelling woodland climb ascending the steep side of Nidderdale to the popular local landmark Yorke’s Folly. It’s then a moorland walk which often includes large step-ups and bed rock obstacles as you traverse the moorland.

The most serious feature of this walk is optional but rewards you with incredible views along the length of Nidderdale and across Gouthwaite reservoir.

The path follows along the top of Guise Cliff, the impressive rock formation that hangs over the trees far below. Steep crevices and the rock edge come right up to the path at some points – Dogs should be kept on a lead at ALL times.

For those who might be unsteady on their feet, have young children with them or just prefer to give this a miss, an alternate route allows you to cut across the moors and rejoin the path at the far end of the cliff.

The route then descends into Guisecliffe Wood, an ancient woodland and rich habitat. Be sure to stop at the tarn, a still black body of water to enjoy the reflections and listen to the sound of the animal life all around you.

The Yorkes of Bewerley Trail