Yorkshire, the beautiful county we call home, is brimming with fantastic walking routes. Some require a multi-day adventure, but many of the most popular hikes can be completed in a day.
From wild moors and dramatic coastlines to ancient woodlands and literary landscapes, here are ten of our favourites. As you’ll see, we’ve blended some classic routes with a few lesser-known options from our travels around the region.
1: Ilkley Moor
Best for: Sweeping views and cosy pubs.
Type of hike: Circular
The quintessential Yorkshire moorland, Ilkley Moor offers an irresistible taste of the county’s rugged beauty. With panoramic vistas stretching out over the rolling hills and patchwork fields of Wharfedale, this hike is a treat in every season. In fact, it’s arguably at its best in the winter, when you can avoid the crowds and enjoy a sunrise or sunset at a sociable hour.
Finish your walk at the Cow and Calf pub – a perfect spot to rest your legs and enjoy a well-earned pint while soaking up even more spectacular views.
Distance and time: There are plenty of route options for a day hike around Ilkley Moor. One of the most popular is this circular route, which will see you clock up nearly 10 miles, or 16 kilometres, as you explore the moor – expect to be out for 3-4 hours.
How to do it:
- Public transport: Trains run frequently from Leeds to Ilkley, with the journey taking around 30 minutes. From Ilkey station, it’s a brisk 20-minute walk to the edge of the moor.
- By car: There are several car parks to choose from. One of the most popular is near the Cow & Calf Rocks – be sure to arrive early during peak season to secure your spot.
2: Robin Hood’s Bay to Ravenscar
Best for: Clifftop views and seal watching
Type of hike: Point-to-point
While many hikers on Yorkshire’s coast favour the stretch from the famous town of Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay, we love continuing south to the tiny hamlet of Ravenscar.
The high clifftop path offers dramatic coastal scenery and, if you’re feeling energetic, you can return along the beach at low tide. At certain times of the year (often late spring through to autumn), you’ll spot hundreds of seals lounging on the rocks at Ravenscar – remember to keep a respectful distance so they can snooze undisturbed.
Once you’ve admired the seals and views at Ravenscar, we recommend enjoying a well-earned coffee and cake at the Ravenscar Tearooms, a charming cafe on the edge of a quiet village green.
Distance and time: The Robin Hood’s Bay to Ravenscar route is roughly 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometres) each way and should take most people under 2 hours. You can return along the same clifftop path, or head back along the beach, which may take slightly longer depending on the conditions.
How to do it:
- Public transport: Regular buses run from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay, where you can start your walk. From Ravenscar, you’ll need to catch the number 5 bus to Lockwood Chase before catching the X93 bus to Whitby. The X93 bus stops in Robin Hood’s Bay – from here it’s just a 16-minute journey back to Whitby.
- By car: Park in Robin Hood’s Bay – the Bank Top Car Park is the closest to the trailhead – and join the clifftop route to Ravenscar here.
3: RSPB St Aidan’s to RSPB Fairburn Ings
Best for: Birdwatching.
Type of hike: Point-to-point
RSPB St Aidan’s is one of our favourite walks near Leeds. Reclaimed from a former opencast coal mine, this enormous nature reserve hosts a network of footpaths around ponds and lakes teeming with wildlife.
St Aidan’s rapidly became one of our go-to spots during the Covid-19 lockdowns, when it was often deserted. These days, the reserve tends to be a bit busier, but on peaceful mornings, it still feels like you have the place to yourself.
You can easily spend a good chunk of a morning or afternoon at St Aidan’s, but if you fancy stretching your legs even further, we recommend continuing along the river towards Castleford and onto Fairburn Ings – another superb RSPB site. Combined, these two nature reserves make a wonderfully varied day hike.
Distance and time: The walk from St Aidan’s to Fairburn Ings along the river is around 4.5 miles (7.2 kilometres) and will take 1.5-2 hours at a steady pace. You can extend the route as much as you like at either end, with seemingly endless trails extending around both reserves.
How to do it:
- Public transport: From Leeds city centre, we normally take the 140/141 bus to Fleet Lane in Methley, which is just five minutes from the edge of St Aidan’s. The bus takes around 25 minutes. After walking to Fairburn Ings and Castleford, you can catch the train back to Leeds from Castleford Station, which takes just over 20 minutes.
4: Haworth Moor and the Brontë Waterfall
Best for: Literary history
Type of hike: There-and-back
Haworth’s evocative moorland, famously associated with the Brontë sisters, makes for a delightfully atmospheric walk. In fact, this is one day hike that is arguably better in gloomy weather, when bleak, swirling mists hammer home the harsh reality of life in the Yorkshire hills.
One of the most famous landmarks on Haworth Moor is the Brontë Waterfall, which is a popular picnic spot on a warm day. The linear route from Haworth is relatively short, offering sweeping views of the surrounding countryside – expect rolling fields and dry stone walls aplenty.
On a sunny day, we recommend lingering a while by the waterfall. It’s easy to lose track of time here, and it’s a perfect spot to bring a book and soak up the rays. Matt once dozed off among the warm rocks near the waterfall on a lazy summer’s day.
The Top Withins Extension
If you fancy extending your walk, you can continue over the moors to Top Withins. The evocative ruins of this farmhouse, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, are cited as an inspiration for Emily Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights.
Distance and time: A circular route from Haworth to the Brontë Waterfall is around 4 miles (6.5km) and takes roughly 2 hours, although the alluring scenery may tempt you to stay longer or continue to Top Withins.
How to do it:
- Public transport: The best way to arrive in Haworth is by steam train on the heritage Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Trains start at the recently renovated Keighley station and take around 20 minutes to reach Haworth. Alternatively, there are regular Transdev B1, B2 and B3 Brontë buses from Bradford, Keighley and Hebden Bridge.
- By car: Park in one of Haworth’s pay-and-display car parks. Our favourite is the car park on North Street near the parsonage.
5: The Yorkshire Three Peaks
Best for: The classic Yorkshire mountain challenge!
Type of hike: Circular
Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough form the legendary Yorkshire Three Peaks – a 26-mile (42km) circuit that tests your stamina and legs to the limit. Highlights along the route include the gaping chasm of Hull Pot and the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct, which stands magnificently in the Yorkshire landscape.
With around 1,600 metres of total ascent – significantly more than summiting Ben Nevis, the UK’s tallest mountain – this challenge is not for the faint-hearted. The route is well marked and signposted. However, you must plan thoroughly, carry plenty of water, and start early to avoid being caught out by fading daylight.
Distance and time: 26 miles (42km) with significant ascent. Most people aim to complete it within 10-12 hours, though exact times vary with fitness and experience.
How to do it:
- Public transport: Most hikers begin at Horton-in-Ribblesdale, which has a train station on the famous Settle-Carlisle line. We almost always catch the train into this area of the Dales. It’s much easier than driving, and it avoids clogging up the rural roads, which are already plenty busy enough.
- By car: Park in the Yorkshire Dales National Park car park at Horton-in-Ribblesdale or at Ribblehead. Make sure you arrive early during the holidays, because parking spaces are limited.
6: Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Clapham via the Norber Erratics
Best for: Amazing views of Pen-y-Ghent and the Yorkshire Dales.
Type of hike: Point-to-point
If the Yorkshire Three Peaks feels too daunting, or you fancy a less-crowded alternative, this point-to-point route from Horton-in-Ribblesdale to Clapham is a gem. The trail meanders through classic Dales scenery and visits the spectacular Norber Erratics – giant boulders stranded by retreating glaciers thousands of years ago.
Expect magnificent limestone pavements and grand vistas of Pen-y-Ghent on a clear day.
Distance and time: Around 8 miles (13km). Allow 4 – 5 hours at a moderate pace, including rest or photo stops.
How to do it: This is a hike that is only really possible via public transport. Catch the Northern service to Horton-in-Ribblesdale, then catch another Northern service from Clapham at the end of the walk. The stations are on different lines, but both have direct connections to Leeds. The nearest station where the two lines meet is Long Preston.
7: Bempton to Flamborough Head
Best for: Spotting puffins
Type of hike: Point-to-point
Bempton Cliffs is another RSPB reserve that vies for our favourite bird-watching spot in Yorkshire. From around April to July, thousands of puffins journey to Bempton on Yorkshire’s east coast to nest on the cliffs. They live alongside gannets, guillemots and razorbills, creating an unforgettable wildlife spectacle.
Occasionally, you may find that the puffins arrive earlier than March or stay later than July. When we last visited, it was a wet, misty day in mid-March, and we were lucky enough to spot one single puffin standing halfway up a cliff, looking slightly confused and very soggy.
Once you’ve explored the trails around Bempton, make your way south to Flamborough Head, where you’ll see the iconic lighthouse and, if you’re lucky, spot a colony of seals basking on the rocks below.
Distance and time: A circular route from Bempton to Flamborough Head should be around 8 miles (13 kilometres). Given it’s a clifftop walk, it’s pretty flat – allow 3-4 hours to make the most of it.
How to do it:
- Public transport: There are regular Northern trains to Bempton from Bridlington and Scarborough. Buses also connect Flamborough Head to nearby towns; check bus timetables before setting off.
- By car: We recommend parking at the RSPB Bempton Cliffs visitor centre (pay-and-display for a small fee). If you opt to continue along the coast, you can either loop back or catch public transport from Flamborough.
8: Malham Cove and Gordale Scar
Best for: Harry Potter fans and limestone pavements
Type of hike: Circular
Malham Cove, with its towering limestone amphitheatre, was famously featured in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It remains popular with Potter fans to this day, and if you combine a trip to the cove with a hike to nearby Gordale Scar – a dramatic ravine with tumbling waterfalls – you’re guaranteed a memorable day out.
If you have the energy, you could consider extending your route to Malham Tarn, a windswept lake on the moors above the cove, or visit the charming Janet’s Foss waterfall.
Be warned: Malham gets busy during the peak summer season. Consider visiting during quieter periods to avoid the crowds and reduce the pressure on the narrow roads. If you’re based nearby, we highly recommend visiting in the evening when the majority of visitors have left.
Distance and time: A standard circuit covering Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss is around 4.5 miles (7 kilometres) and typically takes 2-3 hours.
How to do it:
- Public transport. There are regular buses from Skipton to Malham during the summer months. Skipton bus station is a short walk from the train station.
- By car: Park in the Yorkshire Dales National Park car park in Malham, which costs £6 for 24 hours. Arrive early during peak times to secure a space. Whilst you can, technically, park for free on roads around the village, we don’t recommend this – it only serves to clog up the route and leads to traffic chaos.
9: The Valley of Desolation
Best for: A beautiful woodland walk on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales
Type of hike: There-and-back
Tucked away within the pristine Bolton Abbey estate, the Valley of Desolation is a lush haven of hidden waterfalls and ancient woodland. The name belies its tranquil atmosphere, and this secluded spot is especially magical in autumn, when the trees become a vibrant patchwork of colour.
Combine it with a walk by the River Wharfe and a visit to the ruins of Bolton Priory to make a full day of exploration.
Distance and time: A loop from Bolton Abbey to the Valley of Desolation is around 4 miles (6.5km) and takes around 2 hours.
How to do it:
- Public transport: Buses run on Sundays and bank holidays from Skipton to Bolton Abbey. Alternatively, you can take the heritage Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway for a classic Yorkshire experience.
- By car: Park in the Bolton Abbey car parks – there are four to choose from. For the Valley of Desolation, we recommend the Barden Bridge or Riverside car parks. Be warned; car parking does not come cheap. Expect to pay £15 per car, with your fee supporting the upkeep of the estate.
Read next: Exploring the Langden Valley in the nearby Forest of Bowland.
10: Hole of Horcum
Best for: Dramatic moorland scenery in the North York Moors.
Type of hike: There-and-park or circular
The Hole of Horcum is a vast natural amphitheatre in the North York Moors National Park, often dubbed the “Devil’s Punchbowl.” Created by millennia of geological processes (or, according to legend, by an argument between quarrelling giants), this scenic walk is a favourite for sweeping views over verdant valleys and rolling heather. The terrain is relatively gentle, making it a superb introduction to the North York Moors.
Distance and time: The popular circular route around the Hole of Horcum is around 5 miles (8km) and takes roughly 2-3 hours.
How to do it:
- Public transport: The 840 Coastliner runs along the A169 between Whitby, Pickering and Leeds. Check timetables for a stop near Saltergate, the starting point for the walk.
- By car: Limited parking is available at the Saltergate car park on the A169. Arrive early on weekends to get a space.
The best day hikes in Yorkshire: Our final thoughts
From rugged moors and dramatic cliffs to delicate woodlands and iconic viaducts, these Yorkshire day hikes offer a wealth of variety for walkers of all levels. We’ve loved discovering these routes over the years, and we’ve trodden many of them time and time again (Bempton Cliffs, St Aidan’s and the Norber Erratics routes in particular!).
Whatever you’re looking for in a day hike, Yorkshire is a county that has something to captivate everyone. Enjoy the walks – and don’t forget to pack a hearty picnic for the journey!