Walks in Guiseley
From easy city strolls to challenging trails, discover the best of Guiseley on foot.
Walk: Baildon Moor
An interesting ramble across the bleak but beautiful Baildon Moor. Best done in good weather and requires basic navigation skills. The Route what3words for start point: ///domain.poetic.scooters Start / Finish Point: Baildon Trig Point Car Park, Hawksworth Rd, Baildon, Shipley BD17 6BQ Distance: 5 Miles GPX Route Map baildonmoorDownload Walk Description Head towards the entrance of the car park, but turn right down the path before you reach the road. Follow this path as it turns to the left alongside the road, and then down to a crossroads of paths. Turn right here, and follow this path through the scrubland until it reaches a road. Turn right, and then veer left just after the stone house to walk behind the line of newer houses. Keep to the back of the houses, and join Hawksworth Road at a gate. Cross over, and head down the car park for the golf club, keeping left to take the path away from the car park. At the next two junctions of paths, turn left to walk on a clear trail behind more houses - this is the Welcome Way. Take the path which climbs the hill, and continue to the top to the trig point - this is Baildon Hill. Carry on down the other side to reach a track. Turn left to reach the entrance of the Caravan Park. Continue on the path to skirt around the edge of the caravan park, and then down across the moor to a narrow road. Cross over the road, and head towards the telegraph pole in the middle of the moor. From there, head towards the field boundary straight head, then turn right when you reach a more defined path. Cross over the narrow road again, and around the other side of the Caravan Park. At the tip of the Caravan Park, turn left on a path, and then steadily veer to the right over the brow of Windy Hill to reach Bingley Road near to a car park area. Turn right, carefully walking alongside the road, until you see a footpath sign on the left. Take this, crossing over the course of Baildon Golf Club. Head to the right, following the clear path on the ground to reach a track. Go straight across to a junction of paths, and turn right. Walk between the small collection of trees and up the rise. At the main path, turn left and then cross the road back to the car park.
Walk: The Chevin
Take a walk around The Chevin Country Park and the ridge on the south side of Wharfedale, overlooking the market town of Otley. The Route Start Point: Lower Shawfield Car Park - Otley Chevin Forest Park, Otley LS21 3DD Finish Point: Lower Shawfield Car Park - Otley Chevin Forest Park, Otley LS21 3DD Distance: 5 Miles GPX Route Map walkshirethechevinDownload Walk Description Begin your walk at Lower Shawfield Car Park, leaving its entrance behind you. Amble down the track at the car park's rear and take the right fork, joining the scenic Dales Way. Stick to this well-trodden path, taking another right at the split around the bend, where the track gradually veers left. After a slight turn to the right, you'll meet a junction - keep straight, disregarding any offshoot paths until the track ends. Next, swing a left, heading in a north-easterly direction, and gently veer left again at the upcoming fork. Bypass another intersecting track, and press forward. Turning left at the track's end will have you treading upon the charming Caley Crags, a picturesque portion of the Ebor Way. Stick to this track through the refreshing forest, making a right at a crossroads, and walk alongside the tranquil Holbeck until reaching another path. At this point, veer left, winding your way towards East Chevin Road. Here, turn left and stick to the left side of what can be a bustling road until a public footpath sign beckons on the right, just before a sturdy stone wall. Safely cross and embrace this path, turning right when you hit the next track. Follow it upward to a splendid viewpoint to your right, just past the Surprise View Car Park to the left. The Chevin, which you'll be navigating through, is a verdant ridge offering magnificent views and lush pathways, presenting an ambient backdrop for leisurely strolls or an invigorating walk, whilst being serenaded by the melodic twittering of local birdlife. It's not merely a walk but an immersive experience amidst nature’s calm. Having absorbed the delightful view, backtrack along the same path, making your way back towards East Chevin Road. Turn right and cross back over, walking into Lower Shawfield Car Park, marking the end of your serene adventure through the splendid Chevin.
Walk: Apperley Bridge through the ages
Our walk starts in the free car park off the A658 at Apperley Bridge at the entrance to Woodhouse Grove School playing fields and to the right on entering. You will be taking the riverside footpath at the rear of the car park. The Route Start Point: Rawdon Meadows Playing Fields Finish Point: Rawdon Meadows Playing Fields Distance: 2.17 miles GPX Route Map dnaire-apperley-bridge-through-the-agesDownload Walk Description what3words for start point: ///full.volume.short Several phases of English history are evident on this walk,. Should you stand on the bridge you will be on a border, A Wapentake to be exact, a subdivision of a Northern county. Over 1,000 years ago this was the border between Skyrack (where you're heading) and Morley (on the far side), two administrative areas within Yorkshire. The old bridge was built in 1602, though there has been one here since the 1000s. The Standsfield Arms opposite is of a similar age, but the George & Dragon originally dates back to the 1500s. Both were built as substantial houses. Sadly, the tree that grew in the middle of the George & Dragon is no more. The bridge today forms an important link from Bradford northwards to Harrogate, Ripon and beyond, but orginally served the township of Idle. It is the "centre" of Apperley Bridge, which consisted of scattered farms, farmhouses and other farm buildings. There's only Elm Tree Farm close to the bridge, as the river floods here.