Easy route finding, and aside from one on road section and two busy road crossings would be a 5 star route....

Sarah

Short stretch on quite a busy road to cross the river near Harewood, and some quite busy crossings between Harrogate and Kirkby Overblown. Otherwise a pretty route across rolling countryside, mostly across farmland and along quiet lanes. Pub at Kirkby Overblown, if you want or need a refreshment stop....

vcsw

Deer, viaduct and pub at Kirkby overblow highlights...

MR THOMAS J WARD

It was mostly easy walking, with only one short stretch of country road with no footpath which was quite steep and looked like it could be quite slippy in icy weather....

ValerieD

Please note: for my own reasons (I started from home in north Leeds) I was doing this route in reverse from Harewood to Harrogate. However, I will describe in the same order as previous reviewers, north to south. (The Alternate route up to Harewood village also offers views up Wharfedale, and the Arthington Viaduct if one pauses to look near the top). Instead of cutting through the middle of a field the route follows a very obvious track, parallel but therefore coming out quite a few metres west of the continuation beyond Walton Head lane- as appears in my alternative route. The path is then in a fenced off section at the edge of field. At the end of this field, the route heads turns left (heading east), through the church yard to take one to the hostelries (and bus stops) of Kirby Overblow. Alternatively, one can go straight on, through a garden and down a driveway on another public footpath (note: heading north it's not at all clear, with a missing finger post-- to be reported to N Yorks ROW service) to reach Swindon lane. South from Swindon lane, once again the public footpath has been moved so as to not cut diagonally through a garden, hence one must look for the finger post, which is directly opposite the entrance to the afore mentioned driveway, a few metres west of where it appears on OS mapping (and Harhar One). Harhar one in total follows the A61 for 1.5km, and even where there is a footway, it's a busy A-road and the close proximity of thundering traffic does detract from the pleasant quietness of really the rest of the route (I'd give the rest 4 stars, but this section one star)....

Aelred

Lovely walk, better to stay on Meanwood Valley trail and then join Eccup, rather than cutting through Alwoodly....

Simon Wilton

Mostly off-road with only a couple of quiet road sections, and one road crossing on a fast road (King Lane). Lots of fields, hedgerows and a few stiles to climb over. Muddy in wet weather but great fun stomping in puddles....

Alice alice

Very rough under foot in places and unavoidable mud up to ankles in places in February....

Ross

This is a very busy road which people use to cut through from the Leeds ring road to the Wharfedale towns....

Dave Richards

We ended up going through the gate and walking along the new fence before spotting the correct path on the other side of the fence and doubling back to battle through the undergrowth to get to the Footpath (photo 5 below - taken looking back at the gate from the correct path). Walking through Harewood House deer park is much more pleasant than walking further along the A61 and, on leaving Harewood House, the Muddy Boots cafe is on the L side of the road and the Harewood Arms is opposite the bus stop on the A61....

RCS

Shops, cafe, woodland path, reservoir wildlife and deer parkland. A great way to walk to Harewood. Four starts only because it has steps and stiles....

Ross

At Harewood the route passes trough the entrance to Harewood house which has gates that can be locked. See the alternative Harebar route to avoid this....

Ross

Long sections off roads and road sections have mostly footways with one section of verge walking. This route is identical to Harebar one except it avoids the entrance to Harewood house which has gates that can be locked....

Ross

For most of its length this is a very enjoyable route but it suffers from needing to use a stretch of a very busy road (A61) in order to cross the river Wharfe. After Kirkby Overblow the footpath between Swindon Grange Farm and Red House Farm is poorly signed and poorly maintained2 Some of the stiles between Swindon Grange Farm and Red House Farm are very difficult. When you emerge onto the A61 after Red House Farm there is no pavement on your side of the road2 You will need to cross the A61 at least once, three times if you choose to use the overgrown pavement, it is a very busy road3...

Gabbi