Harrogate — Knaresborough
Harkna four
Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Harkna here.
Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Harkna here.
By RCS on 21 Jun 2021
Description
I have walked Harkna 1. It is very direct but there is a considerable proportion of the route alone the busy A61.
The suggested route is a little longer (8.99km) but there is very much less road walking. The route is identical to Harkna 1 from the point where the route joins the Knaresborough Round footpath (grid ref 333561).
Leaving Harrogate the route crosses the Stray not on a footpath but in a direct diagonal over the grass. The Stray has open access and although there are footpaths the is no need to stick to them.
From grid ref 320540 to 326539 the route is on concrete roads owned by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society but these have permissive access to pedestrians and cyclists, though there are 5 or 6 days in the year when the Yorkshire Show is on when these roads are closed. However, when the Yorkshire Show is on all road in Harrogate and its surrounds are impassable with queuing traffic and nobody who is not going to the Show would choose to try to travel anywhere in Harrogate!
Fodder (a farm shop, cafe, toilets is at grid ref 328541).
The path from grid ref 330545 to 331551 runs across Stonefall Park, which was a brickworks/clay mine before becoming a landfill site and has since been reclaimed as an area of parkland and woodland. There is open public access. From this Park the route crosses some quiet residential streets before joining Harkna 1 and the walk across fields into Knaresborough.
Overall there is an ascent of 98m and a descent of 142m on this route
I have walked Harkna 1. It is very direct but there is a considerable proportion of the route alone the busy A61.
The suggested route is a little longer (8.99km) but there is very much less road walking. The route is identical to Harkna 1 from the point where the route joins the Knaresborough Round footpath (grid ref 333561).
Leaving Harrogate the route crosses the Stray not on a footpath but in a direct diagonal over the grass. The Stray has open access and although there are footpaths the is no need to stick to them.
From grid ref 320540 to 326539 the route is on concrete roads owned by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society but these have permissive access to pedestrians and cyclists, though there are 5 or 6 days in the year when the Yorkshire Show is on when these roads are closed. However, when the Yorkshire Show is on all road in Harrogate and its surrounds are impassable with queuing traffic and nobody who is not going to the Show would choose to try to travel anywhere in Harrogate!
Fodder (a farm shop, cafe, toilets is at grid ref 328541).
The path from grid ref 330545 to 331551 runs across Stonefall Park, which was a brickworks/clay mine before becoming a landfill site and has since been reclaimed as an area of parkland and woodland. There is open public access. From this Park the route crosses some quiet residential streets before joining Harkna 1 and the walk across fields into Knaresborough.
Overall there is an ascent of 98m and a descent of 142m on this route
Status
This route has been reviewed by 1 person.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Harkna four
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 1
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (1)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 4
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Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Harrogate
Grid Ref
SE3037055300
Lat / Lon
53.99287° / -1.53827°
Easting / Northing
430,370E / 455,300N
What3Words
rescue.shakes.device
Knaresborough
Grid Ref
SE3503857007
Lat / Lon
54.00792° / -1.46688°
Easting / Northing
435,038E / 457,007N
What3Words
kilowatt.clearly.reassured
| Harrogate | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | SE3037055300 |
| Lat / Lon | 53.99287° / -1.53827° |
| Easting / Northing | 430,370E / 455,300N |
| What3Words | rescue.shakes.device |
| Knaresborough | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | SE3503857007 |
| Lat / Lon | 54.00792° / -1.46688° |
| Easting / Northing | 435,038E / 457,007N |
| What3Words | kilowatt.clearly.reassured |
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review
Lynn S
24 Jan 2025This is a very enjoyable walk connecting Harrogate to Knaresborough. The route is clear and accurate. It is mainly on tarmac footpaths and woodland paths, there is only a small section of field walking where the route can be potentially muddy/flooded.
It is a good route for all year but especially nice in Autumn due to the wide variety of trees and woodland areas along the walk.
Leaving Harrogate rail station there is a small section along a busy footpath but this soon leads to Harrogate Stray and a much quieter walk thereafter.
There are many points of interest along the way including a viaducts, Yorkshire showground, golf course and Knaresborough landmarks. Also, plenty of red kites to be spotted overhead!
Refreshments/food can be found in Harrogate, Fodder farm shop/Sainburys near Wetherby Road and plenty of choice in Knaresborough.
Care should be taken along the walk as there are some busy roads to be crossed and 2 railway crossings.
Heading nearer to Knaresborough there is some field walking with stiles, the route is clear for direction. This could be potentially very muddy in parts with one stile having planks of wood/stones laid to help in wet weather.
Approaching Knaresborough the route sends you up some steep steps towards the town, if this is unsuitable then an alternative route up a slope can be found a little further along Waterside.
Although mainly clear paths, there are areas with steps and stiles so this walk is not fully suitable for wheelchair and pushchair access.
A most pleasant walk which can be teamed up with other routes to make a longer, circular walk back to Harrogate or alternatively use the good transport links from Knaresborough.
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