A jewel in the crown of the Yorkshire Dales, Harrogate is a prime location for hikes of all kinds. Explore 7 of the best today.
Where is the world's most romantic destination? Paris? Rome? Venice? It may surprise you to learn that in 2013 the accolade went to Harrogate – a 17th-century spa town in North Yorkshire with a population of 75,000.
There are Turkish baths. There are independent shops and restaurants. There's afternoon tea at Betty's Tea Rooms. But for our money, all this pales in comparison to the gorgeous scenery nearby.
Harrogate, you see, is situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales – a sprawling National Park with unforgettably bleak and beautiful scenery.
This is Wuthering Heights country – all moorland, dry stone walls, rolling hills and the remains of the lead mining industry. The home of Wensleydale. Waterfalls. Caves and castles.
Whatever your experience level, the Yorkshire Dales have something to offer. And Harrogate, with its ample transport connections, is a gateway to these glories.
So, without further ado, here are seven beautiful places to walk near Harrogate. We hope at least one speaks to you and helps you blow away the cobwebs.
Seven of the best walks near Harrogate
1. Stainburn Forest
Just west of Harrogate lies Stainburn Forest. It's a popular destination for mountain bikers, but it also provides plenty of paths for walking.
Expect woodland, of course, and a plethora of wildlife. If you're lucky, you could see deer, red kites, willow warblers, nuthatches, cuckoos or buzzards.
You can follow paths beginning at the car park or follow this circular route, which takes in Swinsty and John O'Gaunt's Reservoirs.
2. Nidderdale Way
This one's an epic! The Nidderdale Way is a 53-mile circular walk that takes in all the highlights of the Nidderdale landscape. Ripley Castle. Brimham Rocks. How Stean Gorge. Nidd Valley Light Railway. The list goes on.
Of course, like all these mega-rambles, you don't need to do it in one trip. Nidderdale Way is split into four stages:
- Pateley Bridge to Middlesmoor
- Middlesmoor to Bewerley
- Bewerley to Ripley
- Ripley to Pateley Bridge
You can download walking guides here. You can also follow Clare Balding on the trail in this BBC radio series.
3. Knaresborough Round
This is a strenuous 20-mile circular route around the castle town of Knaresborough. The whole thing will take you eight to 10 hours.
If you're really ambitious, you can join up with the Harrogate Ringway for a 36-mile hike. Many people, however, split it into two stages.
It's a glorious route that takes you through Nidd Gorge – a 120-foot-deep, wooded ravine – and the villages around Knaresborough. Along the way, you'll enjoy riverside rambles, sleepy lanes and ancient paths.
4. Harrogate Ringway
This route, conveniently laid out with waymarkers, is a 20-mile circular walk around Harrogate and Knaresborough, again passing through Nidd Gorge.
It can be started at any point and takes in woodland and the river Nidd. Beware: there are some steep climbs in Nidd Gorge.
5. Malham Cove
A little further afield lies Malham Cove – one of the finest and most remarkable sights in the Yorkshire Dales.
From a distance, it looks like an imposing limestone amphitheatre. This 70-metre-high, curving white cliff is the result of millions of years of erosion by water and ice.
Hikers can ascend the 400 stone steps to the almost lunar surface, which offers stunning views of the Dales. If you go in the summer months, you might be lucky enough to see the resident pair of peregrine falcons.
6. Aysgarth Falls
This triple flight of waterfalls is worth a visit, hike or no hike. But it also forms part of some classic Dales rambles.
There's a trail you can follow that begins at the Visitor Centre. This is a mile-long, family-friendly walk that takes you up to the cascading falls. From there, you can explore the ancient Freeholders' Wood.
You can also embark on some more adventurous circular routes – a four-mile walk to West Burton, for instance, or a six-mile walk to Askrigg Bottoms meadow.
Whichever you choose, one look at Aysgarth Falls will show why it was so beloved by Romantic poets and painters – and by tourists to this day.
7. Trollers Gill and Stump Cross Caverns
Stump Cross Caverns is a network of prehistoric limestone caves on the road between Grassington and Pateley Bridge. And this year, TikTok legend The Yorkshireman came here for afternoon tea – but only after a pleasant stroll through nearby Troller's Gill.
@the.yorkshireman An incredible walk with caves, streams and ravines, followed by the most perfect afternoon tea 🎂🥪 (AND you can explore their incredible caverns underground 🙌) Find @Stump Cross Caverns route on AllTrails 🚶♂️ AD #yorkshire #yorkshiredales #yorkshiredalesnationalpark #ukhiking ♬ Relax Chillhop - Goodvibes
Troller's Gill is a gorgeous gorge with an undeniable air of mystery. It's not for nothing that tales of trolls and demon dogs cling to it like ivy.
Want to walk in The Yorkshireman's footsteps? Here's a complete guide to recreating the walk.
We offer much more than afternoon tea, of course. You can finish off your ramble with a tour of the caves. It's a subterranean kingdom bristling with stalagmites, stalactites and other icily majestic rock formations.
On top of that, we have a varied calendar of events and experiences. Why not make a day of it?
Tips for first-time hikers
Going for a hike near Harrogate for the first time? Here are four tips to maximise your chances of a successful trip:
- Know your limits. You may be ready for a long hike – but if not, you'd be better off starting with something on the shorter side.
- Take water and snacks. Hydration and nutrition are a must, no matter how short or long the hike.
- Navigate. Whether you're following waymarkers, an OS map or GPS on your phone, navigation is essential.
- Enjoy! Yes, hiking can be strenuous. But don't forget to drink in those views as you go.
Looking for more inspiration? Discover some of our favourite Yorkshire walking routes for all ages and abilities. And don't forget to stop by Stump Cross Caverns for a spot of refreshment!
