LATEST INFORMATION ON VISITING HARROGATE DISTRICT TAP HERE
Walks around Ripon
Ripon is perfect for exploring on foot to discover its many points of historical interest, or using as a base for a longer walk to enjoy the surrounding Yorkshire countryside.
Explore Ripon's Waterways
As well as a beautiful city centre with fascinating buildings, Ripon has a canal and three rivers that converge to leave the city as one. These are the Skell, the Laver and the River Ure which is the central river to the valley of Wensleydale.
The Ripon Canal takes its own route out of the city, joining the River Ure downstream once the river has become wider, deeper and slower; making it navigable to river traffic.
Discover Ripon's Wildlife
This provides yet another route from the centre of Ripon following the corridor of green that has grown up around it. Along the way you can enjoy the locks, the gentle ‘chug’ of a narrow boat and access the Ripon City Wetlands nature reserve.
As well as enjoying riverside walks with all the wildlife that makes the water its home, you can enjoy a walk out to a destination or attraction. The National Trust site of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is just three miles away, and makes a great destination to enjoy lunch in one of the cafes or you can take a picnic from some of the great food shops in Ripon city centre
Explore Ripon's History
For an enjoyable Ripon walk, you do not even need to step outside the city centre. Ripon’s mediaeval street layout of hidden snickets and historical buildings include a trio of buildings originally used for the purposes of law and order that are now museums.
There are nearly 60 commemorative plaques across the city of Ripon that tell the story of how this city came to be and some of the people who have called Ripon home over the centuries.
You can also walk the boundary of the city’s area of sanctuary as created in the 7th Century, to encompass the monastery founded many years earlier.
Go Big from Ripon
Ripon also has a long distance loop, the Ripon Rowel walk, a way marked tour of the countryside that surrounds Ripon taking in rolling hills, pretty villages and magnificent historical sites. The Ripon Rowel walking route reaches all the way to Masham, and includes the country park of Studley Royal, beginning and ending at Ripon Cathedral.
Number of items:
Number of items: 8
Boots, gaiters and vistas walk at Fountains Abbey
Type
Walking Route
Ripon
This route will take you around the boundary of the estate with fantastic views of the Abbey to enjoy. After taking in the sights of the deer park, walk through the 18th-century water garden and past the Abbey.
The Aislabie Walk
Type
Walking Route
Ripon
During the mid 18th century, William Aislabie established a circuit between his estates as Studley Royal and Hackfall with carriageways, bridges and vista forming a private route for his family. The Aislabies created a vast ‘picturesque landscape’ that included Studley Royal, Laver Banks and…
Sanctuary Way Walking Trail
Type
Walking Route
Ripon
The Sanctuary Way in Ripon is a way marked trail that tours the city of Ripon tracing the original boundary of the area of Sanctuary granted to the settlement in 937AD.
In 2005 a new walking trail was created around city touring new sanctuary markers around the city. There are three versions…
Fountains Abbey to Markenfield Hall Walk
Type
Walking Route
Ripon
Discover the countryside between two of the most important medieval buildings in the area. Once, their lands adjoined, but in the disruption after the dissolution of the monastaries both estates saw then end of their hayday and much of their land.
This 6.5 mile circular walk gives an…
Fountains Abbey ancient trees walk
Type
Walking Route
Ripon
On this circular walk you'll learn a little more about the ancient trees in the Deer Park and gain insights into 18th-century landscaping. There are three types of deer in the park: sika, fallow and red. Can you spot the difference? Please keep your distance though, so as not to disturb them.
Ripon & Fountains Abbey Walk
Type
Walking Route
Ripon
This walk allows visitors to reach Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal Water Garden and Studley Royal Deer Park via footpaths, roadways, bridleways from the centre of historic Ripon. It includes the popular Valleu of the Seven Birdges.
Allow more time than recommended if you would like to enter the…
The Seven Bridges Valley walk
Type
Walking Route
Ripon
The Seven Bridges Valley walk is something to truly experience!
Take this circular walk to see a more rustic and beautiful side of the estate.
Starting at the Lake outfall, this walk follows the meandering Skell river along the steep-sided valley via a series of delightful arched bridges, of…
Ripon Rowels Walk
Type
Walking Route
Ripon
This route around the City of Ripon roves far and wide, taking in historic monuments and follies, the rolling hills and valleys of Mashamshire and the long gentle banks of the River Ure. Over its impressive 49 miles the Ripon Rowels walk will show you the true beauty of the area around Masham and…