Connect Harrogate with Slow Ways

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Harrogate

North Yorkshire


Slow Ways linking Harrogate and Harewood, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge, Ripon, Stainburn, Sun Inn, Norwood, Wetherby

England / North Yorkshire / Harrogate

Harrogate’s seven Slow Ways are 64% checked

Drawn: 7/7
reviewed: 7/7
verified: 3/7
and surveyed: 1/7

Help connect Harrogate

Many Slow Ways have several route options. Some will be better than others, or good for different reasons.

Our goal is for each Slow Way to have at least one route that is verified and surveyed. To be verified – and get its snail badge – a route needs at least three positive reviews.

Give a hike and help get a for every one of Harrogate’s Slow Ways.

Walk to Harrogate from further afield

Slow Way Route To do
Harrogate—Harewood
Harhar one

Review me Distance 13km/8mi Ascent 212m Descent 231m
Harrogate—Harewood
Harhar two Pioneer me Distance 15km/9mi Ascent 227m Descent 247m
Harrogate—Knaresborough
Harkna one

Verify me Distance 7km/4mi Ascent 113m Descent 68m
Harrogate—Knaresborough
Harkna three Survey me Distance 9km/6mi Ascent 212m Descent 257m
Harrogate—Knaresborough
Harkna four Pioneer me Distance 9km/6mi Ascent 96m Descent 142m
Harrogate—Knaresborough
Harkna five Enjoy me Distance 6km/4mi Ascent 83m Descent 127m
Harrogate—Knaresborough
Harkna six Survey me Distance 7km/4mi Ascent 87m Descent 132m
Harrogate—Knaresborough
Harkna seven Review me Distance 6km/4mi Ascent 83m Descent 127m
Harrogate—Knaresborough
Harkna eight Review me Distance 6km/4mi Ascent - Descent -
Harrogate—Ripon
Harrip one Verify me Distance 21km/13mi Ascent 199m Descent 283m
Harrogate—Ripon
Harrip two Verify me Distance 21km/13mi Ascent 310m Descent 392m
Harrogate—Wetherby
Harwet one Survey me Distance 18km/11mi Ascent 173m Descent 266m
Pateley Bridge—Harrogate
Pathar one

Double check Distance 21km/13mi Ascent 331m Descent 336m
Pateley Bridge—Harrogate
Pathar two Verify me Distance 22km/13mi Ascent 386m Descent 393m
Stainburn—Harrogate
Staihar one Pioneer me Distance 13km/8mi Ascent 260m Descent 260m
Stainburn—Harrogate
Staihar two Verify me Distance 14km/8mi Ascent 213m Descent 215m
Sun Inn, Norwood—Harrogate
Sunhar one Review me Distance 12km/8mi Ascent 245m Descent 179m
Sun Inn, Norwood—Harrogate
Sunhar two Survey me Distance 13km/8mi Ascent 213m Descent 278m

Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?

If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Harrogate and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?

This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!

Collective progress

57% of Harrogate’s seven route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified

18/18

drawn

15/18

reviewed

3/18

surveyed

5/18

verified

15 people have contributed to Harrogate’s Slow Ways

3 people have pledged to walk and review a route

3 people have surveyed a route in Harrogate

195km out of 233km have been walked and reviewed

439km of reviews have been shared in Harrogate

Latest Updates

An interesting route, mostly secluded paths and lanes to the North and mostly paved route south of Ripley. A very good local store in Ripley....

Ross

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To make this up to three reviews I did this walk in Winter (late November) and in reverse from Knaresborough to Harrogate....

H Wharton

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The third part, from Bilton Hall Drive to Knaresborough, is narrower, still tarmacked but only wide enough for two to walk abreast, with overhanging trees, and a gentle, winding climb down to the river like an old green track....

Nigel Currie

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One section required a choice of adjacent path to avoid a infrequently used path. Cows and horses in some of the fields...

Ross

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Travelling in this direction crossing the A61 at ///gave.middle.bids is dangerous as its a fast dual carriageway without a passenger refuge and the traffic from the right can not be seen clearly due to a bend in the road....

Stearsb

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As I know the area, I suspect the reason it hasn't been chosen is due to quite a large part of it being along the main A59 route between Harrogate and Knaresborough and that is always pretty busy with traffic and not the most scenic of options when compared to some of the other routes. Another positive aspect of this route is that there are a lot of facilities along the route due to it going through fairly built up areas with supermarkets, fast food, coffee shops, and public toilets at the beginning (Harrogate), middle (Starbeck) and at the end (Knaresborough). As there are also three train stations and it follows the main bus route from Harrogate to Knaresborough it also gives a number of alternative options if you decide you want cut the walk for any reason....

H Wharton

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This is a beautiful and fully accessible route between Harrogate and Knaresborough, using the Beryl Burton Cycleway and parts of the Nidderdale Greenway. It is tarmac all the way, with some section also used by local traffic. But no through traffic as the lane is gated....

Richard Jones

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Harrogate—Harewood

Aelred added Harhar two, a new walk from Harrogate to Harewood

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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

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There are some stiles on the way between fields so it is not accessible for wheelchair users, also the path through the fields is not paved so could be muddy if it’s been raining. We walked on a semi dry day and it was fine. There is one field just north of Bogs lane/HG motors, where the path disappears, but if you walk straight along the tree line it’s fine - see photo below....

kimbal bumstead

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This is a great way to walk between the Sun Inn and Harrogate. I'd certainly recommend it to others!...

danravenellison

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Loved walking this route....

pilea

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Harrogate—Knaresborough

Stearsb added Harkna eight, a new walk from Harrogate to Knaresborough

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There is a steep and uneven track between Knaresborough and Gallow hill that would be very challenging for wheels. Given the mud, stiles and uneven track this isn’t an easy option if you have wheels. Starbeck is blessed with free public toilets :)...

Stearsb

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It avoids the more dangerous road walking described in PATHAR1 and uses an alternative to the path near Glasshouses described in PATHAR1 that no longer exists. Well recommended. Buses run between Harrogate and Pateley Bridge stopping at various places en route so you can get back to where you started or even do the walk in sections....

Chrisl

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This is a lovely walk with plenty of interest and very little road walking. It is well worth walking but remember you have to find some way back because there is no public transport from Stainburn....

Chrisl

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The route described in HARKNA5 may be shortened after harvest by following the public right of way over the large field between the disused railway and Longlands rather than walking all the way round the edge of it. Not long after the end of the allotments the official public right of way veers slightly right then crosses a field of cows to reach the A59 by a small farm. The path most people use does not veer right but continues along the side of a field before descending into woodland on the right....

Chrisl

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Harrogate—Knaresborough

Chrisl added Harkna seven, a new walk from Harrogate to Knaresborough

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About half way between the concrete bridge and the used Harrogate to York railway line, the official public right of way turns left and passes into the enormous cropped field (see photo). On the opposite side of the field, and after crossing the disused branch railway to Starbeck (now also a footpath/cycleway) your route passes behind Longlands Farm, with the new Longlands Common on the left....

Chrisl

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1.The path that descends through Bathing Well Wood is not very obvious but is signposted from the main path (see photo). When walking on the path from Rudding Lane to Follifoot, keep the golf course on the left and wall for Rudding Park on the immediate right3 The path to Quarry Mill Lane is obvious if you are looking for it and slopes upwards on the right 100 yards before the Quarry Mill Lane bridge (see photo).....

Chrisl

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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 passes through woodland then enters a clearer area before going back into woodland again and climbing. The reasonably good path descends slightly to cross a newly surfaced path going from left to right. 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....

Chrisl

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Harrogate—Knaresborough

Chrisl added Harkna six, a new walk from Harrogate to Knaresborough

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The road turns right but the Beryl Burton cycleway, which you want, goes straight on. It goes up Water Bag Bank (very steep cobbles with pavement beside) to reach the railway station and then goes onwards to the town centre....

Chrisl

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After crossing the A59 we entered a county lane eventually turning off to the left towards High Warren Farm, through a narrow (24”) gate to be met by a narrow and very muddy path (p1), albeit the weather had been dry for some time. We turned right down Myers Green Lane, crossed a couple of stiles and a narrow gated bridge as we crossed pasture land to reach Hampsthwaite. We headed for Birstwith via a country road until we came to a farm building on the right where we passed through a gate (p2) and headed down a path to the side of the River Nidd; at parts the path was very narrow-12” (p3). The well signposted route then took us round the food processing mill across a narrow pedestrian bridge (19.5”) We then cross the road and continue along a beautiful part of the walk besides the Nidd through numerous gates and some stiles. Eventually the path led onto a lane that took us into the centre of Summerbridge (p12) (avoiding the very dangerous stretch of road - B6162 - in Pathar1.). We crossed the B6165 opposite the Flying Dutchman pub and went down the B6415 in the direction of Dacre Banks but only for about 100yds before turning right to take the path round the old sawmill. We therefore continued on or wide (safe) track (p15) that took us left to Harewell Wood Farm and then down to the bridge at glasshouse. Having crossed the bridge we took the sign-posted track on the left that took us onto part of the SIX Dales Trail This provide easy walking along a metalled track on the right bank of the Nidd all the rest of the way into Pateley Bridge where we arrived at the road bridge in the centre....

IASU1

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It climbs through the formal gardens then through a grassy area then bears right at the signpost on to the good quality gravel path signposted to Harlow Carr Gardens. From here the path descends to meet the road near Harlow Carr Gardens. The path goes along the boundary of the gardens at the bottom of the road entering a lovely wooded area with sulphurous stream down on the right. Shortly before reaching the road at Pot Bank the definitive right of way passes through two gates and through the garden of a house but they have posted a short diversion round their property to the left which most people use. The diverted path emerges on the road at Pot Bank. There is a short length of road to walk along before taking the not very obvious path marked by a yellow post on the first bend. The path curves slowly to the right and becomes more obvious because it is extensively used by cattle. From here the path passes through Prospect Farm where an amusing notice warns you that there are loose dogs, but not to run away from them....

Chrisl

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The replaced section is much more pleasant than the equivalent section of SUNHAR1 but the disadvantage is that there is a relatively long bit of pavement walking between Beckwithshaw and Harlow Hill. Photos are in the route description section....

Chrisl

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Stainburn—Harrogate

Chrisl added Staihar two, a new walk from Stainburn to Harrogate

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We headed for Birstwith via a country road until we came to a farm building on the right where we passed through a gate (p4) and headed down a path to the side of the River Nidd; at parts the path was very narrow-12” (p5). The well signposted route then took us round the food processing mill across a narrow pedestrian bridge (19.5”) We then cross the road and continue along a beautiful part of the walk besides the Nidd through numerous gates and some stiles. At one point we come to a lovely hump back bridge (p6) – We do not cross this but instead take the stile on the left before it (p7) to continue on same side of the Nidd. In a few yards we turn right to cross the Nidd via the Ross Toll Bridge (p8). We had a wide path and easy walking to Harewell Hall where the proposed route was to leave the wide track we were on and follow a footpath to the bend in the river and the down along the bank of the Nidd near the sewage works. We therefore continued on or wide (safe) track (p15) that took us left to Harewell Wood Farm and then down to the bridge at glasshouse. Having crossed the bridge we took the sign-posted track on the left that took us onto part of the SIX Dales Trail This provide easy walking along a metalled track on the right bank of the Nidd all the rest of the way into Pateley Bridge where we arrived at the road bridge in the centre....

IASU1

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Sun Inn, Norwood—Harrogate

Chrisl added Sunhar two, a new walk from Sun Inn, Norwood to Harrogate

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Descending along Whitcliffe Lane, after Whitcliffe Hall, watch out for a path on the left hand side leading into Whitcliffe Wood (see photo)....

Chrisl

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Harrogate—Knaresborough

Chrisl added Harkna five, a new walk from Harrogate to Knaresborough

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Harrogate—Ripon

Chrisl added Harrip two, a new walk from Harrogate to Ripon

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The previous excellent review says almost all there is to say about this lovely walk and I have only a few additional comments....

Chrisl

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The metalled path along the Nidd from Pateley Bridge provides very easy level walking all the way to Glasshouses. After crossing the bridge at Glasshouses the route continues along a path on the other side of the Nidd, but a sign here advises that the path is closed until mid-August 21 for repairs after flooding (it appears to have been closed for nearly 2 years). The path along the river here is very narrow and there is a small section that has collapsed and needs care (photo of this section below). The section of the path around a derelict building just before reaching the road at Summerbridge runs over a footbridge and between fences and is very narrow....

RCS

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Pateley Bridge—Harrogate

RCS added Pathar two, a new walk from Pateley Bridge to Harrogate

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The route leaves Harrogate on the Nidderdale Greenway, a Sustrans cycle/pedestrian asphalted path to Ripley, mainly built along the old railway line to Pateley Bridge. The path leaves the Nidderdale Way at High Cayton farm and continues on to Markington over a mixture of arable and grazing land for cows. The path continues round the cricket and football field, leaving the football field up 4 or 5 steep steps (in need of repair) towards Ingerthorpe where it joins the Ripon Rowel path on to Markington Hall. The route leaves the Ripon Rowel at Whitcliffe Hall farm and then follows a long very quiet single track road, with good views of Ripon Minster, to Hell Wath Nature reserve before dropping down to the River Skell for the final approach to Ripon....

RCS

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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 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)....

RCS

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Harrogate—Knaresborough

RCS added Harkna four, a new walk from Harrogate to Knaresborough

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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

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Approaching Wetherby the route shows a R turn from the old railway line onto a bridleway crossing the railway (waypoint 392, grid reference 397491....

RCS

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Leaving the town towards the mid point at Starbeck the path passes through fields and across a railway. The Western end from Starbeck to Harrogate is direct and functional mostly on pavements at the side of a busy road. Hard to improve on without a significant detour....

Ross

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Much of this route is beside the main road from harrogate to knaresborough which makes it a little uninteresting but not easy to create a better route without making it considerably longer....

Peter Waterfall

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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

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Harrogate

Chrisl surveyed Harrogate

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Harrogate

Gabbi surveyed Harrogate

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There are a couple of short (300 metres) sections on paths alongside B roads and the route crosses over the A658. The majority of the walk is in picturesque countryside and I would definitely walk it again!...

[email protected]

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Harrogate—Knaresborough

Chrisl added Harkna three, a new walk from Harrogate to Knaresborough

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Harrogate—Harewood

Slow Ways added Harhar one, a new walk from Harrogate to Harewood

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Harrogate—Knaresborough

Slow Ways added Harkna one, a new walk from Harrogate to Knaresborough

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Harrogate—Ripon

Slow Ways added Harrip one, a new walk from Harrogate to Ripon

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Harrogate—Wetherby

Slow Ways added Harwet one, a new walk from Harrogate to Wetherby

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Pateley Bridge—Harrogate

Slow Ways added Pathar one, a new walk from Pateley Bridge to Harrogate

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Stainburn—Harrogate

Slow Ways added Staihar one, a new walk from Stainburn to Harrogate

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Sun Inn, Norwood—Harrogate

Slow Ways added Sunhar one, a new walk from Sun Inn, Norwood to Harrogate

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1

Harrogate, Thu 28 March

10°

Light rain

Harrogate’s Slow Ways starting point

Grid ref

SE3037055300

Lat / Lon

53.99287° / -1.53827°

Easting / Northing

430,370E / 455,300N

Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?

If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Harrogate and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?

This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!

Facilities

Users have reported that the following facilities can be found within 1km of Harrogate's meeting point

Public toilet

Wheelchair accessible toilet

Supermarket or convenience shop

Restaurant, cafe or pub

Accommodation

Accommodation for under £50 a night

Campsite

Bothy

Free wifi

Mobility scooter hire

Off-road wheelchair hire

Disabled Parking

Train station

Bus stop

Ferry

Official ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town

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