Walks you can reach from Ilkley by train
Yorkshire · North of England | Walks by foot
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Baildon Station to Guiseley Station (Yorkshire)
15m direct from Ilkley.
A route through parkland and up a hill and with a bridge crossing on a narrow road with no footpath.
Tough: steep ascents. 6km.
Going over the bridge in Baildon can be sketchy as the road is narrow with no footpath and traffic can come from both directions.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Shipley Station to Baildon Station (Yorkshire)
15m direct from Ilkley.
A short, straightforward route up to Baildon and let down by a long stretch along the main road.
Easy: 3km, moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Bingley Station to Baildon Station (Yorkshire)
15m direct from Ilkley.
Via the Shipley Glen Tramway.
Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Shipley Station to Horsforth Station (Yorkshire)
30m direct from Ilkley.
stunning views over Saltaire and Baildon. A very pleasant walk with a good mix of terrain, including a lovely stint alongside the River Aire and stunning views over Saltaire and Baildon. Some footpaths are overgrown and parts are inaccurately plotted on non-existent paths and requiring diversions.
Tough: steep ascents. 12km.
Overgrown footpaths and sections plotted on non-existent paths require a few diversions.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Bingley Station to Shipley Station (Yorkshire)
30m direct from Ilkley.
An easy, mostly flat walk almost entirely along the wide, well-compacted Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath, popular with cyclists, dog-walkers and buggy-pushers. The towpath switches sides at Dowley Gap locks and the canal crosses an aqueduct over the River Aire. The main route-finding is locating footbridges at each end and which have flights of steps. Follows the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Passes through the World Heritage village of Saltaire (Salts Mill), well worth a visit.
Easy: 5km, moderate ascents.
Busy roads to cross at each end (footbridges have flights of steps); be alert for cyclists on the towpath.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Shipley Station to Bradford Interchange Station (Yorkshire)
30m direct from Ilkley.
fantastic view over Bradford. A varied, interesting and fairly direct route, mostly away from busy roads, combining wildflower-meadow field paths, the Sustrans Route 66 cycle track, a steep climb to Bolton Woods with great views over Bradford, woodland through Boars Well Urban Nature Reserve and city-centre streets with steps behind the cathedral. Several steep descents; paths can be overgrown and a little muddy. Close to Sustrans Cycleway Route 66; the Bradford-to-Shipley section is almost identical to the Yorkshire Heritage Way. Passes Boars Well Urban Nature Reserve.
6km.
Steep descents and steps. Several path entrances are overgrown and easily missed; some fly-tipping; a fenced-off section near new housing requires going around a locked gate. Steep, rough scrubland descent near Primrose Lane. Can be muddy.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Morley Station to Leeds Station (Yorkshire)
30m direct from Ilkley.
Great view of Leeds from the top of the rise. A mix of rural and urban with great views towards Leeds: downhill through Morley, residential streets, the last few fields before the city, then past White Rose, along a busy ring road, up to Beeston and a high ridge with a steep grassy drop to a footbridge over the M621, through Holbeck, a final canal- and riverside approach with steps up to the station. Plenty of steps and some uneven and steep footpaths.
Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.
Steps and some uneven, steep footpaths; a steep grassy bank drops to the M621 footbridge. A busy ring road to walk along by White Rose.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Leeds Station to Garforth Station (Yorkshire)
30m direct from Ilkley.
A largely level route out of the city, starting along the River Aire and city-centre bridges, following National Cycle Route 66 through industrial estates, then skirting Temple Newsam park (the loveliest part, light woodland and grass), with a super-muddy section along Beech Walk and meandering paths through Millennium Wood before the village of Garforth. Mostly wide and weatherproof paths with two stiles; some hills; concrete-heavy around the Thorpe Park shopping centre. Generally follows National Cycle Route 66 with handy signposts; mostly off-road (80-90%). Crosses the A1(M) by footbridge; the Springs / Thorpe Park retail park has places to eat and drink mid-route.
12km. Moderate ascents.
A super-muddy section along Beech Walk near North Plantation; two stiles; a diversion is needed just before Thorpe Park (easy reroute via a short stretch of bridleway); the section south of Halton Moor needs care.
Lunch: Places to eat and drink at the Thorpe Park / Springs retail park mid-route.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Horsforth Station to Leeds Station (Yorkshire)
30m direct from Ilkley.
A route of three sections: quiet wooded pathways criss-crossing the railway, a tedious middle section of road walking beside a busy road, then a delightful ending through Burley Park and along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath with the River Aire alongside and leading right to the station. Ends along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath with the River Aire running parallel. Greener than many people expect for an urban route.
Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.
Some wooded sections would not feel appealing or safe walking alone at night, particularly for solo women; one long stretch beside the busy Queenswood Drive.