Walks in Skipton
From easy city strolls to challenging trails, discover the best of Skipton on foot.
Embsay Reservoir and Embsay Crag Walk
This short walk near Skipton offers a pleasant and straightforward route, beginning with a stroll to Embsay Reservoir and finishing with an easy climb to the summit of Embsay Crag. The Route Start Point: Embsay near the Elm Tree Inn (5 Elm Tree Square, Embsay, Skipton BD23 6RB) Finish Point: Embsay near the Elm Tree Inn Distance: 3.5 miles GPX Route Map embsaycragDownload Walk Description what3words for start point: ///thrillers.simulations.spoils Start your walk from the Elm Tree Inn and follow a Pasture Road to the reservoir. Continue on a well-marked path leading up to Embsay Crag. The climb is short but rewarding. The route then brings you back to the village of Embsay, offering a fresh perspective as you return. This walk is ideal for anyone looking for a quick, scenic escape into the countryside.
Walk: Gargrave to Skipton
A country walk following the lock free summit of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, starting in Gargrave. The Route what3words for start point: ///detonated.stung.harder Start Point: Gargrave, just near Old Hall Croft Barn. Finish Point: Skipton Canal Basin Distance: 5 Miles GPX Route Map gargravetoskiptonDownload Walk Description Gargrave is the idyllic start to the walk with canal locks and picture-perfect cottages. Located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, it is the perfect place for a spot of star gazing, in the designated Dark Skies Reserve. This scenic walk starts in Gargrave at Higherland Lock, where you will follow the easy towpath through the countryside all the way to Skipton. On route you will be able to take in the stunning scenery in the area and admire the hills of the Yorkshire Dales. Once you leave Gargrave there will be no more locks until the Leeds and Liverpool Canal arrives in Bingley. This is a 17-mile lock free stretch where boaters enjoy the peacefulness of the area. Whilst out on the towpath do look out for mile posts along the canal. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company originally marked every ¼, ½, ¾ and mile. Many of these mile posts have now been restored as part of the canals 200th anniversary. As you enter Skipton, a thriving market town, you will pass a few swing bridges and reach the Skipton Canal Basin. Within the canal basin you will a range of outlets for some much-deserved refreshments, including the Canal Tugboat selling ice creams! You can either decide to retrace your steps or jump on the train for your return to Gargrave.
Walk: Ducks and Drakes by Carleton in Craven
Just outside Skipton, this very short walk takes in Carleton Beck and the River Aire. The Route Start Point: The Swan Inn, Carleton in Craven Finish Point: The Swan Inn, Carleton in Craven Distance: 1 mile GPX Route Map ducks-and-drakeDownload Walk Description what3words for start point: ///recap.overpaid.feasted The Swan Inn is a great place to start and end your walk. With the pub on your left walk down Swan Street. You’ll notice that each terrace of houses is different and have their own style. These houses were built in the 1800s and 1900s. Louvain Terrace was built after the destruction of Louvain in the First World War. Walking past the Post Office you’ll come to Vicar’s Row. The cottages here celebrate the Reverend Jelf. This energetic Oxford scholar arrived in Carleton in 1849 and is responsible for their construction. Cross the beck with Brook View and Beckside on your left. The beck here, Catlow Gill runs through the centre of the village and into the River Aire. This is a great place for your dog to drink. On Easter Monday you would see excited children here watching hundreds of plastic ducks race through the village. Walking on, you’ll pass Carleton Old Hall. Take a look at the two dates in the date stone. One marks the original construction and the second in memory of its renovation. It was built in 1584 by the Ferrands, it has that solid appearance of the home of a prosperous family. For many years they were the gatekeepers at Skipton castle.
The Lady Anne Way Walk
Lady Anne’s Way is a long distance path from Skipton Castle in North Yorkshire to Broughham Castle at Penrith in Cumbria. The Route Start Point: Skipton Finish Point: Penrith Distance: 96 miles GPX Route Map ladyanneswayDownload Walk Description what3words for start point: ///elders.bars.somewhere Lady Anne’s Way is a long distance path from Skipton Castle in North Yorkshire to Broughham Castle at Penrith in Cumbria. The route takes in locations associated with landowner Lady Anne Clifford who owned vast estates including a number of castles. This walk follows in her footsteps, re-tracing routes that she may well have used as she travelled between her homes. Making its way through the Yorkshire Dales and the Upper Eden Valley the walk is one of beauty and historical interest. This iconic walk passes through some of the finest areas of Yorkshire including Wensleydale and Wharfedale before continuing on through the remote fells of Mallerstang to enter the historic county of Westmorland and Eden Valley.
Walk: Springs Branch of the Leeds Liverpool Canal
A short waterside stroll from Skipton Canal Basin to Skipton Castle. The Route what3words for start point: ///carefully.plantings.pythons Start Point: Skipton Canal Basin, Bridge St, Skipton BD23 1LQ Finish Point: Skipton Canal Basin Distance: 1 Miles GPX Route Map skipton-thespringsbranchDownload Walk Description Starting at Skipton Canal Basin, the Springs Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal takes you north out of Skipton centre and along a path which leads to Skipton Castle Woods. The Springs Branch winds its way around Skipton Castle, one of the best-preserved castles in the country, and forms a castle moat. The Springs Branch was built for Lord Thanet, who lived in Skipton Castle and owned the limestone quarries served by the branch. Historically, stone was brought from the quarries by horse drawn trams and loaded into boats for the journey to Leeds. Once you reach Skipton Castle Woods, why not leave the towpath and explore the woodlands before retracing your steps back to the Canal Basin. You’ll find an Ice Cream Tugboat in the Canal Basin for a tasty treat.