This walk is a favourite of Dr Amir Khan, best selling author and TV medical expert. This walk takes in the stunning Arthington Viaduct in between Leeds and Harrogate.
Table of Contents
The Route
- what3words for start point: ///abandons.windy.passes
- Start Point: Bramhope
- Finish Point: Harrogate
- Distance: 14 Miles
GPX Route Map
Download file for GPSWalk Description
This walk starts in Bramhope, a lovely village on the very outskirts of Leeds. The village was mentioned in the Doomsday Bok and has such as a rich history and beautiful examples of period buildings from across the last 400 years. Look out for the original milestone markers as you head out of the village. AS the path heads out of the village you will glance the old route of the Otley to Leeds line that was closed as part of the Beeching cuts in the mid 1960’s. Unfortunately this isn’t accessible as only short stretches haven’t been built upon but from your view as you head down the hill you’ll see the path skirt the curvature of the hill and valley floor. In Arthington you will eventually come to the village church was an excellent example of mid Victorian build, completed in 1864.
You will get a fabulous view of the viaduct which still carries the Harrogate to Leeds line today as it curves over the River Wharfe. Constructed between 1845 and 1849 it was one of the most complex railway projects of it’s time as there is a 500 yd curve in the viaduct to deal with the topography of the land and river here. Stay for a while and hopefully you’ll see a train passing to help you imagine it in it’s heyday and capture that stunning picture. After this we head towards Otley and cross the river at Pool bank and head via the back roads and path ways to Huby (near Harrogate). The village has a excellent set of local hostelries to refuel for the second part of the walk towards Harrogate itself if you’d like a slight detour.
This walk stays away from the main roads as much as possible but please take care when walking make sure you walk in single file on the narrower country lanes. Towards Harrogate we pass through North Rigton made famous by the TV series The Beiderbecke Affair, and onto Beckwithshaw and the lovely St Michael and the Angels parish church. This route continues to the outskirts of Harrogate or you can continue into the town centre if you wish to get the train home.
