A gentle stroll along the dead level (except a set of steps) Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath, travelled in days of yore by commercial barges on a similar Lancashire - Yorkshire route to us. Just sufficient interest along the main length and then it entered Skipton through the older part of town - by the back door....

Dave Taylor

A delightful walk on lovely old, open and wooded, rural lanes, from start to almost finish. There was one low traffic, tarmac section alongside the River Otter. There were good views across to the surrounding hills throughout....

Dave Taylor

This route follows the Liverpool Leeds canal all the way to Skipton....

Helen Lord

We left Hellifield by crossing the railway line, climbing up and following a quiet green lane, bounded by green hedgerows and filled with flowers, including orchids, families of snails, bees and butterflies....

Helen Lord

Just follow the canal on an easy, well maintained, stone tow path....

Sue B

This opened up onto a very pleasant wide track with lovely meadow verges with meadow brown, ringlet and white butterflies as well as numerous house martins, swallows and a swift accompanying us. (Very close to a 5 star rating - 4+ due to mainly quiet road and track walking rather than paths but still would highly recommend)...

Sue B

A perfectly fine if unexciting walk along the Leeds Liverpool Canal to Skipton. Obviously route finding is no problem once the canal is located in Gargrave and the tow path condition is excellent throughout. The tranquility of the walk is interrupted by significant traffic noise from the A65 making this walk rather a chore than a pleasure although the canal basin at Skipton provides much interest for the walkers....

Michael

Cross the railway crossing and follow a glorious path with great views where eventually the route took us through an ancient wood, eventually joining up with and following The Pennine Way....

Michael

The canal here wiggled quite a lot to follow the contours, but the biggest wiggles were avoided by following the Pennine Way for the last third of the route. The Lock Stop Café at Greenberfield was closed while the owners try to findsomeone to run it in the future (and has been closed for a year), but that is only 20% into the route from Barnoldswick....

Mary Oz

You leave Hellifield via a network of paths through residential streets, cross the railway track through two gates, and then climb gently up a track for a short while until beautiful views are gained across undulating farmland. A gate at the far side opens onto a good track through woodland which eventually leads downhill into the farming hamlet of Otterburn....

Jan Simmons

Although part of the route is along a road, its a very quiet lane and vehicles are rare....

LemonTop

This easy to follow route along the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath, is largely level and in good condition underfoot in most places. It can also be walked one-way as there are bus and train connections between Gargrave and Skipton. I would echo comments of other reviewers about the traffic noise....

Andrew Simmons

It is not well maintained in places and finding the correct route can be awkward in places. Walking the road section is not pleasant as it has poor sight lines, meaning traffic cannot see you easily. Overall, the route 'Garski two', which follows the canal towpath is much more enjoyable....

Andrew Simmons

This is a lovely route comprised of the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath and the Pennine Way. After a short walk out of the town, the canal is reached and first half of the walk follows the towpath....

Andrew Simmons

From here the rest of the route followed the Pennine Way, so was mostly well waymarked and well used. I guess they are used to people walking the Pennine Way. Part of the Pennine Way route was along the canal towpath, but I was fairly soon crossing fields and walking farm lanes again....

Mary Oz

I have only done half this route, the bit from Cracoe to Grassington and it's a lovely route, on proper tracks some of the time and very easy to follow. I only had one difficulty, I couldn't open the farm gate near the beginning of the walk in Cracoe, I had to climb over it. It has some rope looped round a gate post which wouldn't come free....

LynneStrutt

Given the omission from the definitive map, blocked access and missing stile I would suggest that this route is not used (shame as it was a pleasent walk other than that [the alternative route that avoided the road])...

Stearsb

I took pictures but the ones found in Mary Oz's review were better so I suggest you check those out....

Stearsb

Following Andrew Simmons review, I absolutely agree that this route is dangerous, using the busy A65 between Coniston Cold and the railway line. I know that road and it is always very busy with cars and trucks often travelling at 50-60mph, and there is often no verge, never mind pavement. I attach a screengrab from Google Street View....

Mary Oz

The middle third is a quiet, single-track, country road between the tiny villages of Otterburn and Bell Busk. The road went alongside Otterburn Beck which was very pretty, with sheep fields alongside....

Mary Oz

This route is almost entirely canal towpath, with a good surface of compacted gravel....

Mary Oz

It leaves the village of Hellifield by pleasant parkland and passes the historic Hellifield Peel, before crossing farmland to reach the busy main road....

Andrew Simmons

Some cows initially approached me as I entered the field, but quickly lost interest....

Carol

There's a lack of signage, and it's quite difficult to follow at times, there's a busy road to cross as you near Skipton and then a short stretch along another busy road (no walkable verge). After you leave that first field, keep an eye out for a large stile on your right. After you go under the railway line, the ordnance survey map shows the footpath the other side of the wall at the top, but don't cross the wall, follow the sign (hooray there is one here!) and you will end up in the right place....

Carol

Direct and easy to follow route. Follows the canal and part of the Pennine Way....

JohnElise