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Nidderdale Walks
There is no limit to the number of different walks you can enjoy in Pateley Bridge and around Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB); with hundreds of miles of footpaths and vast swathes of Access Land you can combine those key elements of distance, solitude, beauty and altitude to make the perfect walk.
Enjoy some Nidderdale Walks by the experts
The Nidderdale AONB office have prepared and way-marked a variety of walks that offer informative and intriguing introductions to some of the lesser well known areas of the area, with useful and interesting information on the surrounding landscape to help you get the most from your walk.
Many of our Nidderdale Walks will take in some of the top landmarks around the AONB, as well as a selection of smaller curiosities that the AONB office have detailed in their walks leaflets, be it in the dry stone walls around the village of Dacre or the trees of Blubberhouses.
See how mankind has changed Nidderdale
The Nidderdale AONB may be a stunning natural landscape but hundreds of years of human activity has left its mark across the hills and valleys.
The Bewerley Industrial Heritage Trail climbs high out of Pateley Bridge up to Greenhow Hill, where you can explore the Coldstones Cut and look down into the last working quarry in Nidderdale, you can see the remnants of Victorian industry at the Toft Gate Lime Kiln and looks across the valley and see the scars of Victorian industry.
Many of the Reservoirs in the valley offer walks both around their shores and across the hills above them, as well as providing thriving habitats to birds and wildlife. Their dams stand as a proud testament to the impressive engineering of the early 1900s.
Go Long…
The most popular long distance walking route is The Nidderdale way, 54 miles of climbs, desolate moorland, and idyllic riverside and rolling farm land. Many accommodation providers will offer a shuttle service for groups walking to complete the way which can be undertaken in a relaxing 7 days, a steady 4 days, or an ambitious 2 days for those with pace and stamina.
Other long routes include the recently opening Six Dales Trail and historically rich Ripon Rowels route.
Explore Further
If you prefer to be the master of your own fate, you can find all of Nidderdale on the Ordinance Survey’s Explorer 298, which shows foot paths, bridleway and access land.
Number of items:
Number of items: 21
The Nidderdale Way
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
The Nidderdale Way is a 53 mile circular walk beginning and ending in Pateley Bridge in the heart of Nidderdale.
The walk travels the length of the valley, and then back again on the other side, at times following the River Nidd, but often detouring away to include as many points of interest…
Fewston Reservoir - Walking Routes
Type
Walking Route
Harrogate
In the middle of the Washburn Valley in the south of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Fewston Reservoir offers a number of relaxing paths along the side of the water and through the woods.
The walks vary from 1/4 mile to 6 miles in length.
Some of the walks are…
Blubberhouses Tree Trail
Type
Walking Route
This riverside walk is full of interest with a variety of tree species, and abundance of wildlife and glimpses of an industrial heritage. Nearest village: Blubberhouses. Length: 3 miles (5km). Time (approx): 1-2 hours. Difficulty: moderate
View the Route Description & Map.
Six Dales Trail
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
This 38 mile route takes in the entire length of the Nidderdale AONB from Otley in Wharfedale to Middleham in Wensleydale and showcases some of the remarkably beautiful dales in our area.
The route features great contrasts of high heather moorland, stone wall enclosed pastures and parkland of…
Swinsty Reservoir Walking Routes
Type
Walking Route
Harrogate
Swinsty Reservoir, managed by Yorkshire Water sits in the Washburn Valley on the southern side of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
IMPORTANT: Yorkshire water are currently undertaking important improvement works to Swinsty Reservoir. This means the walk around the reservoir…
Ladies Riggs and Ashfoldside Moorland Walk
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
Enjoy this local classic of a walk to get a taste of all that the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty has to offer. An easy to follow route that goes from fields to fells to moorland and industrial heritage before gently following a stream back down to Pateley Bridge, this route features…
The Yorkes of Bewerley Trail
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
This popular local classic walk takes in some of Nidderdale’s most popular landmarks. The walk passes through fishpond wood in the village of Bewerley. This popular walking spot was landscaped to create a small quiet lake amid woods that see stunning displays of blue bells and wild garlic in…
Pateley Bridge Circular via Brimham Rocks
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
Take a tour of hills around Pateley Bridge, with stunning views, unique landmarks and idylic locations along the way. The key feature of this 9 mile loop is the remarkable National Trust site of Brimham Rocks, featuring gigantic rock formations hundreds of thousands of years in the making.
…
Scot Gate Ash walking route
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
Scale the north side of Nidderdale to explore the heritage of Pateley Bridge’s early years as a significant town. This four-mile walk tours the landmarks and remains of the quarry that paved train station platforms across the country. The Scotgate Ash walk offers a variety of landscape and…
Scar House Cycle Route
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
Scar House Walking & Cycle Routes are a permissive bridleway loop around Yorkshire Water’s Scar House Reservoir which comes to 4 miles and crosses both dams at the top of the valley.
For walkers it can be extended with a further loop of rough yomping around Angram Reservoir to the remote top…
Thruscross Reservoir - Walk
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
This walk of 4.5 miles follows the edge of Thruscross Reservoir, the top most and newest reservoir of the Washburn Valley.
Often referred to as ‘West End’ after the village it swallowed up, Thruscross is famous for the appearance of the village when water levels hit severe lows.
…
Washburn Valley Birds Walk
Type
Walking Route
Harrogate
Wander through woodland, along river banks and admire views of the reservoir and the Washburn Valley. Historically this walk is very interesting with a packhorse bridge, Dob Park and a monk's trail.
Nearest village: Timble. Length: 6.5 miles (10.5km). Time (approx): 3 hours. Difficulty:…
Bewerley Tree Trail
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
This short walk takes in the delightful village of Bewerley, and through fishpond wood, along side the lake. The route offers beautiful views throughout the seasons, from bluebells to the rich colours of autumn.
Nearest village: Bewerley. Length: 1.25 miles (2km). Time (approx): 1 hour. …
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Pateley Bridge Heritage Trails
Type
Town Walk
Pateley Bridge
Explore the Nidderdale town of Pateley Bridge through its history, its buildings and its surrounding landscape
The town of Pateley Bridge has seen tremendous change over the centuries. Railways, industries and other influences have come and gone, each leaving their mark on the town.
The…
Victorian Gardens of Pateley Bridge
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
Take a tour around Pateley Bridge and see some of the fabulous historic houses and gardens.
Nearest town: Pateley Bridge. Length: 3.75 miles (6km) or 4.75 miles (7.5km). Time (approx): 2-3 hours. Difficulty: moderate
Pateley Bridge has long been a focal point for visitors to…
Nought Moor Trail
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
Set forth for a good healthy yomp across the heather, through some of Nidderdale’s ancient woodland and abandoned Victorian industry. The Naught Moor Trail will take you through the village of Bewerley and up the valley side of Nidderdale though beautiful ancient woodland. The path emerges from…
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Crackpots Mosaic Trail
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
Crackpots Mosaic Trail is an enjoyable trail around part of Dallowgill which is marked with 22 mosaics depicting local scenes of flora and fauna which might be encountered along the route.
Nearest village: Kirkby Malzeard. Length: 7 miles (11km). Time (approx): 4 hours. Difficulty:…
Greenhow Geology Trail
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
This walk explores the hillside of Greenhow along with all its old industries and intricacies. Along the route, a number of informative signs have been installed to help you find your way and learn about this special part of Nidderdale. The route explores down the hillside to the site of the…
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Scar House Reservoir Walk
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
Walk the edge of Nidderdale’s most famous reservoir, crossing the immense Scar House Dam with its teetering viewing platform (not for vertigo sufferers) and pass through the lost village of Lodge.
The reservoir is also home to a range of wildlife and birds.at the upper reaches the banks are…
Prosperous Lead Mines Trail
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
This dual route offers you the choice of two starting locations and two ways to reach and explore one of the most interesting sites of industrial heritage in the valley.
Tucked away in one of the many small side valleys to Nidderdale is the site of a once thriving hub of activity. Prosperous…
Curlew Trail
Type
Walking Route
Pateley Bridge
Enjoy a hearty walk out of Pateley Bridge up the hills above the town for spectacular views out over the town, and Nidderdale with the chance to see some of the fantastic local birdlife.
Walk Guide
The Curlew trail is a nice version of a local favourite. The Walk begins by taking in the…
