This walk from Woodlesford has lots of variety and with limited climbing makes it a great walk for families.

Distance: 7.5km

Parking: Roadside parking at the junction of Fleet Lane and Eshald Lane.

Accessibility: Not suitable for buggies.

Facilities: None although local amenities in both Woodlesford and Methley are close!

Route: The route is outlined here. For a longer walk, you may wish to add on a path around St Aiden’s. Using a map is recommended (OS Explorer Map 289 Leeds OS Explorer Paper Map (OS Explorer Active Map)– Affiliate link)

The route starts by following the Transpennine Way to cross Methley Road, and then follow the route upwards behind the leisure centre (keeping the field boundary to your left). Crossing a small footbridge will take you through to the fields where the path is a little clearer.

Keep going straight ahead, only turning left after you pass through some stones along a track.

This is now the Leeds Country Way, and is easy walking to take you to pop out next to a yellow cottage on a lane. Watch out for a public footpath signpost on your left, where you turn onto a field.

The route now passes through the Methley Estate, where you may spot deer to your left and your future Christmas trees to your right. You join a track which will take you past various dwellings; keep your eyes open in late April/ May for absolutely beautiful bluebells in the woodland either side of the track.

Before you hit Methley Lane (just after you pass the hospital buildings to your left), take the footpath on your right that cuts across the triangular field. Cross the road and head down the track on (the old) Fleet Lane. You’ll pass under the railway bridge and then can pop out on the canal at Lemonroyd Marina.

When you meet the road, pass back under the railway and look out for the gateway on your right, just before the road bend. This permissive path takes you through woodland between Fleet Lane and the football centre back to the start.