Local Walks

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This is where Skipton and the Yorkshire Dales come into their own. This is the perfect location for those who enjoy the great outdoors. Options ranging from leisurely walks along canal paths to adventurous treks up fells are available right on our doorstep. 

A few of our favourites, to get you started, are listed here. 

Described as some of the best open countryside anywhere on England’s canal network, this walk follows the summit of the Leeds and Liverpool canal. 

You can connect to the canal at a number of points in Skipton, we would recommend from Belmont Bridge (opposite Bizzie Lizzie’s), turning left as you descend onto the canal path. 

It is a 5 mile walk to Gargrave. You can return either:

• back along the canal, 
• by bus,
• along the Airedale Way: Cross over the Aire River, on the Pennine Way, in Gargrave and then turn left onto Church Lane at St Andrew’s Church. Follow this until the Airedale Way sign-posts will lead you back towards Skipton, before re-joining the canal at Niffany Farm, just on the outskirts of Skipton.
• by looping through Flasby and over Sharp Haw for a more strenuous, and longer, walk back. In Gargrave, leave the canal on Eshton Road, following this into Flasby. Then, follow the Sharp Haw and Flasby route back to Skipton.

A short but hugely enjoyable walk along Springs Canal and into the delightful Skipton Castle Woods.

www.welcometoskipton.com/skipton-castle-woods-walk/

Sharp Haw is the distinctive summit of Flasby Fell, and a prominent landmark to the North West of Skipton. This route follows the Dales High Way (a 90 mile long distance route) as it leads out of Skipton.

https://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walk-1811-description

Alternative Options – for a more circular Walk

www.daleshighway.co.uk/FlasbyALT.htm

A 4 mile walk from Acorn Cottage will take you up to the top of Skipton Moor for some wonderful views. From the top of Neville Street turn left onto Brougham Street and then turn right onto the lane opposite Duke Street. 

This will join Ermysted Street then immediately turn right and follow this up onto the Moor:

https://where2walk.co.uk/walk/discover-walk-skipton-moor/

You can also connect, on Skipton Moor, to the more challenging circular Silsden Moor and Skipton Moor Walk which takes in part of the Bradford Millenium Way. You will be rewarded with great views back of Rombald’s Moor, Ilkley and back over Skipton:

www.walkingenglishman.com/leedsharrogate33.html

Walking from Skipton to Embsay, and then:

http://www.happyhiker.co.uk/MyWalks/NorthYorkshire/Embsay%20Crag/Hiking%20Pages%20-%20Embsay%20Crag.htm

For a much longer and more challenging walk, this can connect with the Embsay Moor Circular at Embsay Reservoir.