These Yorkshire walks for families all tend to be relatively short and many have plenty of things to do and see…. basically great walks for children.
Navigate to walks below, or just scroll to see them all!:
Family Walks in Leeds
For my favourite walks with toddlers, see this post.
Woodlesford Lock, LS26 There are loads of walks starting from Woodlesford Lock, and this route is just under 2 miles, suitable for buggies, with lots to see along this great stretch of the canal.
Water Haigh Woodland Park is between Woodlesford Lock and Lemonroyd Marina, with lots of options for short trails up to 5km, and has plenty to see. Canal paths and Eshald Wood suitable for buggies.
Rothwell Country Park has lots of little paths to follow, and with great views of the city as well as access to the canal, it’s a good place to spend time exploring. Mostly suitable for buggies;
Woodlesford Lock to Leeds City Centre is a 10km walk along the canal, and has some fantastic scenes. Jump on the train to return back to Woodlesford. The paths are flat and mostly surfaced (it’s a cycle path), but there is one bridge with steep steps to navigate, so don’t risk a buggy unless you’re confident you’ll be able to cross.
Rothwell Pastures is a pretty reserve, with this walk to Robin Hood along the old railway line. If you have buggies or bikes, avoid the loop and just return on the same path.
Oulton Hall Perimeter Walk is just short of 5km, taking in lovely Bluebell woodland, pretty ponds and great views of the golf course. Difficult with a buggy (not impossible with off-road, but avoid if possible).
Skelton Lake, sitting behind the M1 Skelton Lake services isn’t the most obvious choice for a walk, but with a few routes to choose from and great facilities it’s a great choice for families.
A circular from Oulton to the Methley Estate is 7.5km, with fields, bluebell woods and the canal. Not buggy friendly.
St Aiden’s RSPB reserve in South East Leeds has some good paths that are suitable for buggies. If you want even more variety, this 5.5km route starting from Lemonroyd Marina takes in the canal, a Methley cafe and the best of St Aiden’s.
Temple Newsam has lots of lovely walks for children. This 3.5km route is suitable for buggies (although can get muddy) and shows some of the best bits of this great estate. Add on a farm and cafe visit for a full day out.
Lotherton Hall is a fantastic day out for the family, make sure you include this lovely short walk on your next visit.
Yeadon Tarn. A walk around the tarn is just one mile, but there is a play area to extend the visit! Surfaced paths. Probably one to save when you’re already in the area (or if your children are fans of planes- it’s under the flight path of Leeds Bradford Airport).
Bramley Fall. At just 1 mile this route is a good one to start little legs off with! It includes pretty woodland and the canal, but isn’t buggy friendly.
Otley Chevin has lots of room to explore for little legs, with long and short routes. If you’re taking a buggy be prepared for mud and try to stick to bridleways- not all paths are suitable for them.
Rodley Nature Reserve has a visitor’s centre where you can pick up a Quiz Trail Guide for children. You can also try pond dipping (between April and October), do a mini beast hunt as well as spot wildlife. Until I get a blog up, visit the website for more details.
Roundhay Park, North Leeds has play areas, ducks, playing fields and even in peak times a train! This 4km buggy-friendly route might be a little long for very little legs but there are loads to do as shorter alternatives. The secret gorge walk is not suitable for buggies, but is only 2.7km and is definitely one of the most interesting (and quietest) parts of the park. For those little adventurers, you could also follow one of the free Adventure Trails on offer there.
Meanwood Park, North Leeds is a beautiful place to explore, with all lengths of routes. We like this 3.8km circular route that goes through the Hollies.
Billy Wood (or officially Townclose Hills Nature Reserve) in Kippax is great for little legs to have a real explore!
Bishop Wood, near Sherburn-in-Elmet, is a lovely area of woodland to explore. Many paths are buggy friendly, but it’s probably somewhere to save for if you’re already in the area or passing through.
Saxton, East of Leeds has this great circular walk as well as a couple of great pubs to enjoy!
Harewood House, North of Leeds has a great circular route around the outskirts of the estate and through the Deer park and it’s just under 10k. It can get muddy in places- so your buggy needs to be pretty robust.
Eccup Reservoir is 4.5 miles to walk around, taking in the lovely countryside in North Leeds. Not a buggy walk.
The Harland Way, between Wetherby and Spofforth is 3 miles in each direction… and a great route for the little bikers out there!
Golden Acre Park in North Leeds has decent paths and lots of beauty. Try this 5.5k route that visits the adjacent Breary Marsh to see the best of it. Buggy-friendly.
Calverly to Apperley Bridge Circular is 4.5 miles, walking along the canal on a buggy friendly path and back along the riverside (not suitable for buggies) in somewhat muddied conditions!
Family Walks in Wakefield
Thornes Park, just outside the city centre is great for a potter. The perimeter walk is two miles and buggy friendly. Look out for the aviary, secret garden, duck lake and miniature railway in the summer.
Angler’s Country Park has some fantastic choices for walks!
- The Room on the Broom Trail is a great place to visit and with the £2 activity pack, little ones keep entertained the whole way round the 2 mile walk. Buggy-friendly.
- Adjacent to the park is the truly beautiful Haw Park Wood, the perfect place to explore and enjoy picnics!
- For a slightly longer route, this 5.5km route is beautiful, taking in Haw Park Wood and a view of Cold Hiendley Reservoir.
Pugneys Country Park (junction 39 off M1) has a buggy-friendly 2.5k circular walk around the Lake. It has a great play area and LOADS of things to see. It’s not the prettiest of Wakefield’s parks but probably has the most to do. Pugney’s Country Park to Sandal Castle walk is 4 miles and offers great views of the surrounding area. Not buggy friendly.
RSPB Fairburn Ings also has good walks with buggy friendly paths, this 6km route gives great views as well as a pretty riverside path, but for little legs this is a great place to explore with lots of activities.
Newmillerdam
- The Gnome Roam is one of my favourite family walks! It’s 1.8miles and takes in some gorgeous woodland as well as the lakeside. The activities are fab, thoroughly engaging for little ones!
- Also at Newmillerdam the pretty walk around the lake is 2 miles, and is suitable for buggies. Until we get back there to write a blog, read this page for more details.
Ardsley Reservoir, Tingley is a short, buggy friendly 2.5km route. Great for if you want a quick walk and you’re in the area, or if you want a breath of fresh air after tackling the White Rose.
Heath, Wakefield There are a few walks starting from this gorgeous village, this 2.5 mile route (not suitable for buggies) takes you around the pretty surrounding area. Finish at the fantastic King’s Arms. Heath Common to Goosehill Circular is 4 miles, with an option to extend to 5 1/2 miles. Beautiful scenery, but not buggy friendly.
Nostell, near Wakefield (NT) has a few walks that you can do in the Parkland between 1.5 and 2.5 miles, or you can enter the gardens for an easy 1.2 miles (it’s buggy-friendly and you can also enjoy the adventure playground).
Stanley Ferry and Southern Washlands Nature Reserve combines a walk along the canal with woodland, a river and a lake. The walk is just under 3 miles and can be started at the family-friendly Stanley Ferry pub.
Walton Colliery Nature Reserve has good buggy friendly paths, and a range of walks up to 5km in length. With lovely lakes and woodland, It’s a great place for children to explore.
Family Walks in York
Barlow Common’s Nature Trail in Selby was a truly unexpected find! With Drax power station as a backdrop you may not expect much, but beauty is found in the most surprising of places and this 4km trail takes you around a route with beauty on every corner. Suitable for buggies.
Brayton Barff is a lovely short buggy friendly 2km circular walk through woodland, with lots of woodland to explore if you have more time to spend there.
Skipwith Common is a nature reserve-come WW2 bomber training camp. This gorgeous site is really peaceful with loads of interesting finds! The pushchair friendly 2 mile walk is well marked.
The Northwood Trail outside York is a 1.5km woodland walk, with a touch of magic! Gorgeous intricate Fairy homes are dotted about along the trail. It’s a bit pricey, so make the most of it if you go!
With the towers of Drax looming, a circular walk around Barmby on the Marsh is pretty spectacular!
Moorlands Nature Reserve, Skelton provides a short buggy-friendly nature trail but hours of exploration! With wooden sculptures, a pond and a tree house to find, there’s lots to keep little ones entertained.
Family Walks in Harrogate, Ripon and Nidderdale
Druid’s Temple (near Masham) is a fab short walk if you’re in the area.. and has the bonus of starting at Swinton Bivouac, perfect for a cuppa or some ice cream!
Hackfall Wood, near Ripon has gorgeous trails and masses of character. It’s not buggy friendly, with uneven and steep paths, but totally worth the effort.
Plumpton Rocks, between Wetherby and Harrogate is less of a walk, more of an adventure. It’s the perfect place if you’re looking to spend a few hours with a picnic and do some serious exploration. Intrigued? Read more here.
Starting at Pateley Bridge, there’s a lovely short walk to Fishpond Wood… although there’s some walking on a road, it’s fairly quiet and the rest of the walk makes up for it! Not suitable for buggies.
Bolton Abbey’s Barden Bridge walk near Skipton comes in at under 8k and is a gorgeous walk! Whilst you can technically get round with a buggy, it is a challenge and an off road buggy is highly recommended.
Also from Bolton Abbey is a circular walk up to Middle Hare Head. It’s 7 miles, and combines fantastic moorland views with the best bits of the Bolton Abbey. Challenging for little ones, but absolutely worth it.
Swinsty Reservoir, between Harrogate and Otley is 3 miles to walk round with a buggy with great views. The neighbouring Fewston reservoir is a little longer to walk around (4miles), and more of a ‘proper walk’. Or for a great 10km walk combine them together! Details of both here.
If you’re headed towards Fountains Abbey, you might consider this great 4 mile route of the Seven Bridges Valley and Studley Royal Deer Park.
Family Walks in Pickering, Whitby & North York Moors
The Woodcock Way Trail in the beautiful Dalby Forest is 4.5 miles along forest tracks, with some pretty incredible views.
Falling Foss is a stunning waterfall, but what makes this beauty spot even more special is the fantastic Falling Foss tea rooms. This lovely walk from May Beck, provided by North York Moors website, is a two mile circular route, but an equally enjoyable route is from Little Beck.
The Grosmont to Goathland Rail Trail is 3.6 miles, follows the old tramway line, built by George Stephenson. It’s a lovely walk, with the added benefit of having an excuse to go on the train!
One of the most famous features in Yorkshire, Sutton Bank provides spectacular views with minimal effort. We love the three mile loop that passes under the White Horse, but a shorter buggy friendly route is also available.
Family walks in Sheffield and Barnsley
Rabbit Ings in Barnsley is a lovely little park if you’re local and want somewhere with good views and masses of wildflowers!
Rother Valley Country Park is only a few minutes from the M1 but is a great easy-access walk with lots to see!
Not strictly Yorkshire, but not far away (!) in the Peaks is the beautiful Longshaw estate (NT)where you can hunt for Boggarts!
Deffer Wood is simply glorious. Enjoy a 4km circular walk from Cannon Hall, enjoying good scenery and a good chance of animals.
Damflask Reservoir is 3.5 miles around its perimeter, suitable for buggies. Visit the School Rooms in Low Bradfield for family friendly food and a play area for under 10s.
Langsett Reservoir is also 3 miles. It’s more challenging for young children, (and not suitable for buggies), but is absolutely worth it!
I know it’s not Yorkshire!! But it’s not far, and the 3 mile circular of Mam Tor is a great walk to start mountains on when you start from such a high car park!
Family Walks in Bradford and Halifax
Oakwell Hall’s nature trail in Birstall is 2miles and heads towards the main facilities half way round to stop for refreshments! Steps and slopes may mean little ones need some help at times- and this route is not suitable for buggies.
Hardcastle Crags near Hebden Bridge has a lovely riverside walk with lots to interest little minds! Their Tree Trail is a little over 2 miles, but not suitable for buggies. A little further and more adventurous is the Crag Constitutional Trail.
Ilkley has some gorgeous walks in the surrounding areas. This circular walk is 4km and takes in the Riverside as well as Middleton Woods (not buggy friendly).
Bronte Falls Circular Walk is 8km, starting in Haworth and takes you through Penistone Country Park to the falls with views over Lower Laithe Reservoir.
Elsewhere
Pontefract Racecourse has a 2mile circuit in pleasant surroundings, with a children’s playground and duck lake next to the car park.
If you’re a fan of railways, on a trip to Whistlestop Valley make sure you hop off and walk between Skelmanthorpe and Shelley!
Cautley Spout, Sedbergh is England’s Highest Cascade waterfall above ground. It;s just 2km each way making this a great walk for families with little legs.
The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is perhaps one of Yorkshire’s most famous walks. You might have to share the path with others, but it’s certainly worth it for those views!
Stainforth to Catrigg Force, Nr Settle is a carrier only walk, or suitable for older children. Although only 2 miles there’s some steep climbing that our 3year old wouldn’t have been able to do herself. It’s a great walk though, lots to see and a good one if you’ve started building up to challenging walks.