OnFoot

WALKING

Outdoor activities by foot are not limited to just going for a walk, although the walking in North Yorkshire is fabulous.  There are walks for all interests and abilities from town trails and ghost walks, to strolling across moors and along the coast, to taking on a long distance trail.  However, there is even more to try.  You can try out your map reading skills on an orienteering course, try some GPS fun with geocaching, or find out about fell running.

• Short walks and guided walks
• National trails
• Other long distance walks
• Baggage handlers and holiday organisers
• Walking festivals
• Geocaching
• Orienteering
• Fell running

You can also look at the activities selected for the Year of Adventure:

Adventure Racing  On Foot
Orienteering On Foot
How Stean Gorge On Foot
Walk the Cleveland Way National Trail On Foot
Go Geocaching On Foot
Three Peaks Fell Race - 25 Apr On Foot
Fishing On Foot
Go Ape at dalby On Foot
Dalby Walk and Play On Foot
Thixendale Round On Foot
Boots and Beer Walking Festival - 11-13 Sep On Foot
Husky Trekking On Foot
Fell running On Foot
Guided walk On Foot
Go on an open access walk On Foot
 
Short walks and guided walks

Wild moors, rugged cliffs, rolling hills and a stunningly beautiful coastline pave the routes for walking across North Yorkshire. There are two world-famous National Parks to explore: the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors, and there are even more wonderful walking areas to discover, like the Yorkshire Pennines, the chalk settings of the Yorkshire Wolds and the rugged coastal trails.

In between those, you'll find miles and miles of charming country lanes, unspoilt villages, canal towpaths, lush valleys, archaeological sites, and wildflower meadows. Yorkshire's varied landscape offers variety and activities for all abilities of walker. If you're not in the mood for a long distance walk, you can enjoy shorter snatches of the long distance paths at your own pace. Wander circular walks, way-marked trails or take guided walks like Harrogate Town Trails or a Ghost Walk in York or Whitby. Or, just make your own exploration wherever and whenever you feel like it. Yorkshire can be as mild or as wild as you want!

If you find walking a challenge or your group includes a wheelchair or buggy then have a look in our Easy Access section.

There are endless short walks in Yorkshire, and countless guidebooks to help you explore the area.  As a start you can gain inspiration by clicking here and here:

Joining a guided walk is a great way of exploring if you prefer less challenging routes, with a touch of sociability.  There are many opportunities to do this around the region - walks are organised by the National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as well as by other organisations such as the Friends of the Settle Carlisle Railway and Dales bus Ramblers. 

Find out more, and get this year's programme

Click here for even more information on walking opportunites inYorkshire.

Instructors and guides
If you want to learn about navigation, and the art of using a map and compass, then why not get some instruction for a day.  The activity centres and guides listed below are accredited through the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA).  Accreditation through AALA is only required for centres and guides doing adventurous activities with young people in a commercial setting.  This means that many well qualified and experienced guides are not part of this scheme especially if they concentrate on working with adults. 

Above & Below
2 Greenstead, Newby, Via Clapham, Via Lancaster, North Yorkshire, England LA2 8HR
Tel: (015242) 51011

High Adventure Outdoor Education Centre
233 Keighley Road, Cowling. Keighley, North Yorkshire, England BD22 0AA
Tel: (01535) 630044

Ingleborough Hall Outdoor Education Centre
Clapham, Via Lancaster, North Yorkshire, England.  LA2 8EF
Tel: (015242) 51265

Low Mill Outdoor Centre
Low Mill,. Askrigg, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, England DL8 3HZ
Tel: (01969) 650432

Rock Steady Adventures
Fishergate Business Centre, 35 Hospital Fields Road, York.  YO10 4DZ
08456 123636

North Country Guides
Manor House, Carkin, Richmond.  DL11 7PE
07950 440576

Yorkshire Dales Guides
Barrel Sykes, Langcliffe, Settle, North Yorkshire, England BD24 9LP
Tel: (01729) 824455

Dales Ventures (Tony Flanagan)
Ffrancon, Thornton-in-Lonsdale, Westhouse, Near Ingleton, Via Carnforth, Lancashire, England LA6 3PB
Tel: (01524) 241210

North Yorkshire Outdoor Education Service
There are three centres run by North Yorkshire County Council in the region.  These are at East Barnby near Whitby, Great Fryupdale on the North Yorkshire Moors, and Bewerley Park near Pateley Bridge.

Association of Mountaineering Instructors (AMI)
Many AMI mountaineering instructors work on a freelance/self-employed basis and are available for hire by the day or for longer periods. Although based in a particular geographical area, instructors are normally able to work in locations all over the UK to meet client needs.

In addition to mountaineering instruction members may offer other services such as gorge scrambling, sea level traversing and general adventurous activities. You can obtain more information by contacting AMI members directly.  See www.ami.org.uk.

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