Walks you can reach from Rawcliffe by train

Recommended: Great views. Very flat and easy walking: a canal towpath, a good-surfaced path across a former airfield, then open countryside, lanes and tracks and a flood bank and a bridge over the River Aire. Just short stretches of busy and verge-only road. Follows the Trans Pennine Trail across Burn Airfield, which has benches and interpretation boards; you may see gliders taking off and landing.

Time: 4h–7h30

Warnings: A short stretch of busy road at the start, and a section of roadside walking with no pavement on a straight part of Hirst Road. Snaith has only around three trains a day.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: A largely step-free, fairly clear route on roads, paths and through a pair of parks, with a brief stretch of industrial ground between them. A field path leads out of Featherstone and the road into central Castleford is quite long.

Time: 2h–4h

Warnings: The path runs close beside the M62 for about ten minutes, with heavy traffic noise; you are safely behind a hedge.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A pleasant, easy-to-navigate route following the bank of the River Aire, with some muddy patches and evidence of cattle on the riverbank, then easy tarmac and pavements through villages. Generally flat; gates rather than stiles, but there are narrow and uneven field paths. Passes the villages of Rawcliffe and Airmyn with their historic buildings; West Park in Goole has a community cafe and toilets.

Waterway: three fifths along the River Aire.

Time: 3h30–7h30

Lunch: A fish and chip shop, tearoom, pub and food store in Rawcliffe, and a cafe at West Park, Goole, near the end.

Warnings: There may be cattle on the riverbank, with warning signs in places, and the first cross-field path and riverbank can be muddy after rain. Beware traffic crossing the M62 bridge into Goole. Snaith has only around three trains a day.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Wonderful open country scenery. A long but flat, largely traffic-free walk following the Trans Pennine Trail and long stretches of canal-side towpath through pleasant open countryside, alongside rivers and canals. Generally safe and easy underfoot; some lanes without footpath and areas prone to winter flooding near the Rivers Went and Don. Follows the Trans Pennine Trail and canal towpaths. Passes the site of a medieval hunting lodge with a surviving moat near the M62. Thorne Park has a miniature railway. The route passes through the garden of the New Inn at Stainforth.

Time: 6h30–13h

Lunch: Pubs for refreshment at Sykehouse, Braithwaite (summer only) and Stainforth along the way.

Warnings: Several lanes (around the M62 crossing and canal bridges) have no pavement, so take care. The areas by the River Went and River Don are prone to flooding in winter and can become impassable after heavy rain. Snaith has only around three trains a day.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 5h30–11h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Waterway: four fifths along the Aire and Calder Navigation.

Time: 2h–4h

Warnings: Whitley Bridge has only around three trains a day.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A very pleasant, easy-to-navigate walk mixing gravel paths through a nature reserve with paved roads in Castleford and Knottingley, the nature-reserve middle section being the best part. There are areas of relatively steep incline, gates, a stile and field near Knottingley; trainers suffice in dry weather and boots in winter. The village of Fairburn, about halfway, is a good pause point for refreshments.

Waterway: two thirds along the River Aire.

Time: 3h30–7h

Lunch: Fairburn, about halfway, offers a refreshment stop.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 2h30–4h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A mostly arable route along back lanes and field paths. Largely flat. Fields can get very boggy after rain and making footing difficult. Passes through Burn and Kellington.

Time: 4h–8h30

Warnings: Several road crossings are on busy main roads with no footpaths. Multiple barriers to entry. Can be very boggy and slippery underfoot after rain. Whitley Bridge has only around three trains a day. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Good view from High Eggborough. A pleasant countryside walk with a good mix of scenery, including canal-side and riverside stretches along the River Aire, quiet country lanes, tracks and footpaths and a flood-bank path. Mostly easy going with a far-reaching view from High Eggborough. Canal section is part of the Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation; Whitley Lock is an interesting spot.

Time: 3h30–7h

Warnings: Crossing the very busy A19 trunk road requires extreme caution. A misleading large NO ENTRY sign (with an easily missed footpath sign alongside) can confuse, and a bridge over a dyke needs attention. Whitley Bridge and Snaith each have only around three trains a day.

Walk details: Slow Ways.