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

H Wharton

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

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

Ross

There are some confusing signs through this section, warning of a change in the route of the path. The path simply continues along the edge of the field before turning 90 degrees to re-join the original path at Crimple Beck. This path takes you to Spofforth, where the A661 is crossed again, and then continues on along Crimple Beck....

RCS

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

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

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

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

At Halfpenny Lane it turns right then first left then left at the end of the road into Half Crown Way2 It crosses Water Lane (right then left) then crosses fields with a good view over the lake at the path end3 The path follows the field edge at a point between Poplars Farm and Arkendale (not as shown on the public right of way map)4 The route follows the track approaching Brooms House rather than cutting the corner off the field (see photo)5 Before harvest it may also follow the field edge after Brooms House but we walked it after harvest and crossed over the corner of the field as per right of way....

Chrisl

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

The path is now officially diverted to go round Ashbrook Farm (North of Bishop Monkton). A section of the path between Ashbrook Farm and the Ripon Canal has also been diverted3...

Chrisl

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

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

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

This route does not appear to follow public rights of way between Little Ribston and North Deighton...

Chrisl

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

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

A great route following the canal out of Ripon then fields, tracks and paths....

Ross

I had a problem with lovely cows in a field at Brearton, but this can be avoided by turning right instead of left at Brearton and taking the footpath on your left. This joins the other footpath after a few fields....

Sandra Blyton

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