Best walks to or from Leeds
Yorkshire · North of England | Walks by train
MapBeautiful walks starting or ending at Leeds Station.
Morley Station to Leeds Station
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
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
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.