Harkna three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

To make this up to three reviews I did this walk in Winter (late November) and in reverse from Knaresborough to Harrogate. This really is a lovely walk, particularly the Nidd Gorge parts and I can whole-heartedly recommend it. The previous reviews are very comprehensive, so not much I can add, but note that it can get quite muddy in places at this time of year so good walking boots are recommended. Also, I would probably opt for a nice sunny day in Winter to get the most out of it as I did - see pic below of the river. Finally, once you have started the route proper, after crossing Knaresborough Bridge, pay attention if you are walking in this direction as there are a few path alternatives that come up - suggest you reference the various sign posts for guidance/ your map so you can tally up where you should be headed. Regular trains and buses are available in Harrogate to return you to Knaresborough after the walk if needed. Enjoy!.

This route is slightly longer than others and passes through the Nidd Gorge, a nature reserve mainly owned by the Woodland Trust.
It starts at the station in Harrogate, passes under the railway then goes by the side of Asda to follow the now tarmacked former railway line to Pateley Bridge and Northallerton. The route leaves the old railway where there is a left-hand turn and the path goes down the hill then immediately right where it is signposted at the back of a house. It passes behind the houses then goes under the old railway you were originally on before going left then right the other side of the tunnel. The path is usually covered by overhanging grass in summer but is a reasonably good path below. It crosses the old railway to Starbeck (also tarmacked) at a signpost then passes beside a field then along a track to emerge at a really nice old pub on Bilton Lane.
The path goes straight over Bilton Lane and along the ancient roadway known as Milners Lane. This roadway climbs to the top of a hill from which there are extensive views before descending gradually then more steeply to the River Nidd. At this point it turns right and follows the river for some distance. Keep an eye open for birds along this section. The path passes through woodland then enters a clearer area before going back into woodland again and climbing. Not far over the summit of the climb a fork in the path will be found (see photo). There is no signpost but take the right-hand fork that rises very steeply through the woodland emerging at the top of the gorge. The path skirts round a more open area on the right following the fence. There are great views over the gorge especially from near the pylon (but not in summer when there is too much vegetation).
The reasonably good path descends slightly to cross a newly surfaced path going from left to right. The route here can be very easily missed as it descends very steeply beside a tree but the steep descent is only short and gradients thereafter are less severe. The path is clear and gradually descends, crosses a small beck and fallen tree then rises again to re-meet the gravel path you crossed earlier at the top of the hill. Turn left.
[Note that for an altogether easier but slightly further walk keep following the river and do not fork right. This path becomes the gravel path described above and all you need to do is follow it.]
Whichever route you use the gravel track meets Bilton Lane at a T-junction. Turn left and follow the road, which becomes the Beryl Burton Cycleway, downhill to the river at Knaresborough. From here it is just a matter of crossing the road, going up the cobbled lane to the station and entering central Knaresborough. This part of the route is also very scenic.

This is a varied, scenic and remarkably rural route between these two towns. We walked this route to Knaresborough and then linked onto Harkna 1 to make a circular route back to Harrogate again.
The traffic and bustle of Harrogate is quickly left behind as soon as you leave the ASDA carpark onto the start of the Nidderdale Greenway Sustrans cycle/pedestrian path. This is a surfaced road and easy walking.
Where the route branches right on a footpath away from the Greenway (Waypoint 32, Grid reference 315571) the footpath is running through a bridge underneath the old railway and requires a L turn then doubling back under the bridge. However it is simpler to walk 150metres beyond this point where there is a clear and well used pathway on the R which links to the footpath (a fingerpost is visible across the field).
This path leads across Bilton Lane (adjacent to the Gardeners Arms pub) and then continues on a well maintained footpath across arable fields to the Nidd Gorge where the route joins the Harrogate Ringway footpath. The descent down to the river Nidd is rather steep on a path with some shallow steps and a wooden duckboard path with a rail for some of the way. The path along the Nidd is very scenic and is mixture of duckboards, packed earth paths and some areas paved with flat stones. It can be muddy if the weather has been wet.
The path out of the Nidd Gorge is steep in places and used to be very muddy but has recently been improved with a surface made with packed stones. The Slow Ways route branches off this path onto the Harrogate Ringway path (WayPoint 110, grid reference 328580). This is a much more scenic path, but is narrow, muddy, has some precipitous descents and a tree blocking the path at one point and I would suggest staying on the improved parallel path for an easier walk.
This path joins Bilton Lane for a short time before reaching the Beryl Burton cycleway into Knaresborough which has 2 cattlegrids/gates. There is an information board about Beryl Burton at the end of this path, and public toilets just after crossing the road bridge over the Nidd, at the entrance to the carpark. There are multiple cafes on the busy riverside path in Knaresborough.

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