Free reservoir walks

Yorkshire Water is one the county's largest landowners, with around 72,000 acres of land. It spans National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Wolds and we want everyone to enjoy it.

Whether you fancy a gentle stroll around one of its picturesque reservoirs or a more adventurous cross-country trek, then there's something for you.

We've selected some of the top walks for you and split them into three regional packs. Just print them out and off you go...

Downloadable PDFs

Downloadable Walking Guide - Full Guide »

Downloadable Walking Guide - North & East Yorkshire »

Downloadable Walking Guide - South Yorkshire »

Downloadable Walking Guide - West Yorkshire »

Short strolls

Saunter around a bluebell wood, wander along a breath-taking seaside clifftop, potter around a pretty village or find Yorkshire’s darker side on a Ghost Walk.

City and town walks

• Yorkwalk: an entertaining guided walk around York
• Leeds Owl Trail: discover Leeds' rich heritage through its unique owls
• Seven Seas Fish Trail, Hull: follow an A-Z of fish swimming across Hull's pavements, through the old town and down to the beautiful riverfront
• Ghost walks: for a chilling tour around Whitby or go in search of Dracula
• The Passionate Brontës: a light-hearted and entertaining guided walk around Brontës' Haworth

Rural rambles

• Ingleton Waterfalls Trail: follow the 4.5 mile trail through ancient oak woodland and magnificent Dales scenery via a series of spectacular waterfalls and geological features.  July 2010 sees the opening of a brand new refreshment centre, ideally located about halfway along the trail
• Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge: enjoy stunning oak, beech and pine woods full of tumbling streams on this easy route
• Ramsden Reservoir Walk, Holmfirth: circular loop with amazing views of Pennine Yorkshire
• North York Moors: free guided walks on the first Sunday and Wednesday every month, from March to November, ranging from gentle strolls, some of which are suitable for wheelchairs and buggies, to longer more challenging walks
• Robin Hood’s Bay: venture along the beach or cliff path, returning along a disused railway

Check out these short walks for more ideas or browse for other walking events and tours.

For hardy hikers

Yorkshire’s three National Parks, as well as the Pennines, Wolds and Coast, means you are spoilt for choice for more exhilarating experiences on foot.

• Coast to Coast: from Cumbria to Robin Hood's Bay taking in the Dales and North York Moors
• Trans Pennine Trail: celebrating its 21st anniversary in 2010, this trail links the North and Irish seas through dramatic scenery and is surprisingly level!
• Dales Way: spectacular scenery through Wharfedale, Langstrothdale and Dentdale in the Dales
• Dales High Way: an exhilarating 90 miles of high level walking, beginning in the World Heritage village of Saltaire, crossing the glorious high country of the Yorkshire Dales
• Six Dales Trail: launched at the Otley Walking Festival 2010, this new 39 mile long distance trail takes walkers from Otley in Wharfedale, before traversing Washburndale, Nidderdale, Colsterdale and Coverdale to finish at Middleham in Wensleydale. 
• Brontë Walk: an 8 mile moderate walk starting in Haworth, exploring the places and landscapes most associated with the Brontë family
• Orienteering: combine walking, jogging or running with navigation across North Yorkshire
• Teamwalking: navigation skills courses and hill-walking experiences with Mark Reid, author of 'The Inn Way' guidebooks

Explore Yorkshire and find more of the best places to go with these other ideas.

Once you step outside, it's easy to find a bit of Yorkshire to make your own.

National Trails

Have a go at some long distance walking and take your pick from four of Britain's finest National Trails here in Yorkshire.

• Cleveland Way: a rollercoaster trail around the North York Moors
• Pennine Way: stride through the Peaks, Pennines and Dales on this mammoth journey
• Pennine Bridleway: old pack horse routes and drove roads across the Peaks, Dales and Pennines
• Yorkshire Wolds Way: enjoy its gentle charms through peaceful fields and rolling chalk hills

Find out more about National Trails, download the Top Trails in Yorkshire magazine or one of the Try a Trail guides to get a short taster.

Walking Festivals

Come and enjoy one of Yorkshire's many outdoor festivals, combining the best of walking, biking, riding and evening entertainment. 

• Pickering Walking Festival, April 2011: New in 2010, a choice of walks ranging from 2.5 miles to 15 miles based around 'Boots and Bus' with walks organised around bus times or 'Boots and Steam', including a trip on the Steam Railway
• Rotherham Walking Festival, May: The next festival will be in May 2011 with a great variety of themed walks to choose from
• Leyburn & Wensleydale Walking Festival, June: New in 2010, based from this Walkers are Welcome town, all walks can be accessed using public transport from Leyburn
• Otley Walking Festival, end June-early July 2011: Celebrating its 11th anniversary in 2011, the festival will have a wide choice of walks and events
• Black Sheep Boots & Beer Festival, Hawes, 10-12 Sept 2010: great walks, beautiful countryside, fantastic beer and excellent entertainment
• South Pennines Walk & Ride Festival, 11-26 Sept 2010:  Experience some of the amazing natural and cultural heritage of the South Pennines at more than 100 events - walks of all descriptions, cycle and horse rides, evening talks and themed events.  Download this year's programme.
• Pately Bridge Walking Festival, 23-26 Sept 2010: Also new for 2010, come and enjoy a range of walks centred around the historic market town of Pateley Bridge
• Richmond Walking & Book Festival, 24 Sept-3 Oct 2010: combines walks with music, talks and other literary events

Find other walking events by selecting the Events tab.

Walkers Welcome

If you’re planning a walking holiday in Yorkshire, when it comes to booking accommodation, look for the Walkers Welcome logo. It's a guarantee that a hotel, B&B, cottage or hostel has extra facilities specifically for walkers, like space for drying outdoor clothes and cleaning boots, local maps and weather news.

Browse Yorkshire's Walkers Welcome accommodation or choose the Walkers Welcome box on the accommodation search pages.

Welcome Pets!

Don't leave the dog at home when you go walking...

Browse Yorkshire's Welcome Pets! accommodation providers (cats, dogs and small birds) or choose the Welcome Pets! box on the accommodation search pages.

You can also browse attractions which allow dogs.