Walks you can reach from Saltaire by train

Shipley Station to Horsforth Station (Yorkshire)

2m direct from Saltaire.

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

Keighley Station to Ilkley Station (Yorkshire)

15m direct from Saltaire.

great views; amazing views to the south and east. A varied route climbing from town onto open moorland: cobbled paths and stone steps through Riddlesden, field and farm paths, then a long stretch of quiet but pavement-less moorland road (partly gravel) over Ilkley Moor and descending via steep cobbled and stepped paths and the tarmac paths of Mill Ghyll. Some unmarked sections. Crossing the moors there is rich birdlife including meadow pipits, curlew, lapwings, skylarks, swifts and buzzards. Good facilities at both ends.

Tough: steep ascents. 9km.

A long stretch of road onto Ilkley Moor with no usable verge (quiet but care needed); steep, rubbly short-cuts (Spicey Gill) that can be slippery and muddy when wet; some stiles and dilapidated gates; cattle and sheep in fields.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Skipton Station to Ilkley Station (Yorkshire)

30m direct from Saltaire.

a stunning revelation of quiet, high moorland, Great views throughout, a fabulous last mile. A stunning route over a succession of quiet, high moors culminating in iconic Ilkley Moor, with soft rolling moorland, narrow paths and natural rock sculptures, great views down into Wharfedale and over the mill villages. The middle is remote farmland with well-kept stiles and gates, then a short steep climb onto the main moor and with a fabulous descent into Ilkley. Many stiles and some lack of footpath signs. Follows the Dales High Way and Millennium Way. Passes prehistoric cup-and-ring marked rocks and the Swastika Stone. A bench is well placed on the first climb and again at Windgate Nick.

Tough: steep ascents. 16km.

Many, many stiles, some requiring agility, and in places a lack of footpath signs; map or GPS competence is needed.

Lunch stop: Roman bathhouse cafe.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Horsforth Station to Leeds Station (Yorkshire)

15m direct from Saltaire.

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.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Morley Station to Leeds Station (Yorkshire)

15m direct from Saltaire.

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

Gargrave Station to Skipton Station (Yorkshire)

30m direct from Saltaire.

An easy, dead-level walk along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath virtually all the way, on an excellent, well-maintained compacted-gravel and stone surface. A few gates, kissing gates and a short flight of stone steps. Lovely meadow verges rich with wildlife and a fine entry into Skipton by the canal basin.

8km.

The busy A65 runs nearby and traffic noise can detract from the tranquillity in places. A short flight of stone steps and some gates.

Many pubs and cafes in Skipton, plus bus and train stations at both ends.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Leeds Station to Garforth Station (Yorkshire)

15m direct from Saltaire.

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

Keighley Station to Bingley Station (Yorkshire)

3m direct from Saltaire.

A lovely, fairly well-used route with a delightful wooded section, excellent views from the fields, a riverside path beside the River Aire at Bingley. A fair climb at either end, with steps, narrow sections, kissing gates and stiles and footpaths that are muddy after rain. A shop at Long Lee towards Keighley, with benches at Long Lee Crick Club.

6km.

Steps, narrow sections and stiles.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Shipley Station to Bradford Interchange Station (Yorkshire)

2m direct from Saltaire.

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

Shipley Station to Baildon Station (Yorkshire)

2m direct from Saltaire.

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)

3m direct from Saltaire.

Via the Shipley Glen Tramway.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bingley Station to Shipley Station (Yorkshire)

2m direct from Saltaire.

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