By Vicky · Published Jan. 8th, 2024 · Updated Jan. 28th, 2024
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Check out our ultimate list of the best walks in Yorkshire, with maps, photos, detailed route descriptions and insider tips.
List of the Best Walks in Yorkshire
These are in rough order of shortest to longest. Click on the links for detailed route information, or continue reading for brief descriptions of each hike.
- Brimham Rocks – 2 km, 25 m climb
- Malham Cove Circular – 7.8 km, 215 m climb
- Bronte Waterfalls and Top Withens Walk – 9 km, 200 m climb
- Ilkley and Burley Moor Hike – 10.5 km, 300 m climb
- Conistone Dib & Conistone Pie Walk – 11.2 km, 350 m climb
- Sutton Bank Walk – 14.2 km, 340 m climb
- Norber Erratics & Crumockdale Walk – 15.5 km, 520 m climb
- Bempton Cliffs & Flamborough Head Walk – 23 km, 300 m climb (with options for shorter, 4 to 8 km walks)
- Yorkshire Three Peaks Walk – 39 km, 1500 m climb
- The Dales Way – 125 km, 2400 m climb
1. Brimham Rocks
Walk details: 2 km, 25 m climb, easy.
Brimham Rocks are fantastic rock formations in an area of lovely moorland. It’s a fairly flat and easy walk around these cool rocks, and there’s a visitor centre where you can discover more about the area. There are many paths, and you can make the walk 1 km further if you loop through the open moor.
Tips: The area of Brimham Rocks is open from 9am until dark, while the car park kiosk and visitor centre are open from 10am-4pm. Read more about the walk.
2. Malham Cove Circular
Walk details: 7.8 km, 215 m climb, easy to moderate.
Definitely one of the best walks in Yorkshire, and perhaps the UK, this walk takes you to the impressive cliffs and limestone pavement of Malham Cove, Gordale Scar Ravine and pretty Janet’s Foss waterfall.
Tips: It can be very busy in summer, so arrive early to avoid the crowds and get a good parking spot! Read more about the walk.
3. Bronte Waterfalls and Top Withens Walk
Walk details: 9 km, 250 m climb, moderate.
On this great walk across open moorland, you pass the Bronte Waterfalls where the Bronte sisters used to sit and write their books, and visit Top Withens, the remote farmhouse that perhaps served as the inspiration for Wuthering Heights*.
Tips: Make sure to visit the cute town of Haworth nearby and see the Parsonage where the Bronte sisters wrote their famous novels. Read more about the Walk.
4. Ilkley and Burley Moor Hike
Walk details: 10.5 km, 300 m climb, moderate.
A stroll on Ilkley Moor is one of the best walks in Yorkshire. It includes the famous Cow and Calf Rocks as well as the Twelve Apostles rock circle and the Victoria plunge pool of White Wells.
Tips: Make sure to explore the lovely town of Ilkley before or after this hike. The moor can be very wet and muddy at times so waterproof hiking boots are recommended. Read more.
5. Conistone Dib & Conistone Pie Walk
Walk details: 11.2 km, 350 m climb, moderate.
This walk leads up through the little rocky gorge of Conistone Dib and across fields and moorland. It returns via Conistone Pie, one of the best viewpoints in the Yorkshire Dales, with lovely views of the valleys below and hills across the dale.
Tips: Conistone Dib is a bit rocky and there’s a little scramble at the top, so you have to be slightly agile. It can be very wet at the top so make sure to wear appropriate shoes. Read more about the walk.
6. Sutton Bank Walk
Walk details: 14.2 km, 340 m climb, easy to moderate.
This walk leads you to the ‘Finest View in England’ as well as to one of the famous white chalk horses and a small lake.
Tips: There’s a delicious cafe and easy parking at the Sutton Bank National Park Centre, the start of this walk. Read more.
7. Norber Erratics & Crumockdale Walk
Walk details: 15.5 km, 520 m climb, moderate.
Explore the cool rocks of the Norber Erratics and discover endless limestone pavement typical of the Yorkshire Dales in this circular loop through beautiful, remote countryside.
Tips: The weather can be highly variable on this walk, so make sure to take warm gear and waterproof clothing in case it starts raining. Mist can descend quickly, making navigation a challenge, so bring a paper map* and download a navigation app such as Maps.Me. Read more about the walk.
8. Bempton Cliffs & Flamborough Head Walk
Walk details: 23 km, 300 m climb, easy to moderate. Options for easy, shorter walks of 4-8 km.
A lovely coastal walk along clifftops with birdwatching, lovely beaches and a historic lighthouse. For a much shorter alternative, you can go on a fairly flat 4 km walk just around Flamborough Head or an 8 km walk taking in more of the coastline.
Tips: There’s an entrance fee to Bempton Cliffs (£7/3.50 per adult/child, half price in winter), an RSPB nature reserve with a cafe and gift shop. If you’re lucky, you may see puffins here from April to July. Read more.
9. Yorkshire Three Peaks Walk
Walk details: 39 km, 1500 m climb, challenging one-day walk.
This is perhaps the very best walk in Yorkshire, though you need to be quite fit to complete the hike in one day. The route heads up three lovely peaks, with beautiful countryside, including Ribbleshead Viaduct, in between. If you think this walk is too far, you can do separate walks up the Three Peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-Ghent.
Tips: Why not stay nearby for a relaxing recovery after your long hike? Broad Croft House* is right on the route in Horton-in-Ribblesdale and includes a delicious full English breakfast with gorgeous views. Read more about the walk.
10. The Dales Way
Walk details: 125 km, 2400 m climb, moderate difficulty multiday walk.
The Dales Way is the best multiday walk across the Yorkshire Dales, from Ilkley to Lake Windemere in the Lake District. It’s well signed and there’s accommodation along the route in the form of Inns, Hotels, BnBs, Youth Hostels and campsites.
Tips: Don’t overdo it, but allow time to explore the cute villages and take many photos along the way.
If you enjoyed the Best Walks in Yorkshire, see our Yorkshire Overview page for all the walks we’ve done nearby.
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