Open Air Activities

Open Air Activities in Harrogate and the surrounding Districts. If you cannot find what you require, please contact us at info@hharrogateuk.co.uk and we will try to find the nearest for you.

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Open Air Activities in harrogate

Open Air Activities

Open Air Activities

Harrogate Gardens & Greenways Day

Start at:

  • Valley Gardens — Valley Dr, Harrogate HG1 2SZ, UK (park entrances also on Cornwall Rd & Valley Drive)

Then head to:

  • RHS Garden Harlow Carr — Crag Ln, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate HG3 1QB, UK RHS

Optional scenic walk/cycle:

  • Nidderdale Greenway — traffic-free route between Harrogate and Ripley; start access points around Bilton/Harrogate centre (search “Nidderdale Greenway Harrogate”).

Why go: classic gardens, spacious lawns, themed horticulture and miles of open paths.
Time needed: full day

Knaresborough Riverside & Nature Day

Start/central point:

  • Mother Shipton’s Cave – Prophecy Lodge, High Bridge, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 8DD Mother Shipton’s Cave

Nearby walking/park spots:

  • Knaresborough Castle grounds (castle ruins and parkland above the River Nidd; search “Knaresborough Castle, Knaresborough” on map).

  • Hay-a-Park Gravel Pit – off Hay-a-Park Lane, Knaresborough (a wildlife spot and SSSI for bird watching; access via public footpaths) Harrogate & District Naturalists Society

  • Riverside walks along the River Nidd (various access points beside the town centre and parks). Wikipedia

Why go: combine riverside strolls with woodland and a family-friendly historic attraction.
Time needed: 5–7 hours

Ripon World Heritage Experience

Morning/History:

  • Fountains Abbey – Fountains, Ripon HG4 3DY, UK National Trust

  • National Trust – Studley Royal Park – (World Heritage Site parkland around the abbey) National Trust

Afternoon/Nature & Gardens:

  • Ripon Spa Gardens – 9 Park St, Ripon HG4 2AX, UK

  • Ripon City Wetlands – YWT – Boroughbridge Rd, Ripon HG4, UK ywt.org.uk

Optional walk:

  • Sanctuary Way Walk – circular countryside route around Ripon; trailheads near Minster Rd, Ripon HG4 1QT (start near Ripon Cathedral) Visit North Yorkshire

Why go: historic world heritage abbey and water gardens plus peaceful town parks and wetlands.
Time needed: full day

Easy Adventure & Countryside Day

Adventure hub:

  • How Stean Gorge – Lofthouse, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate HG3 5SF, UK howstean.co.uk

Then explore countryside near:

  • Ripley Castle grounds (search “Ripley Castle, Ripley, Harrogate”).

  • Nidderdale AONB viewpoints and footpaths (look up “Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty”).

Why go: rugged limestone gorge, thrill activities, then gentle estate walks.
Time needed: 6–8 hours

Bonus: Smaller Outdoor Spaces & Walks

  • Ripon Walled Garden – Palace Road, Ripon HG4 3HN (charming community garden with café and paths) riponcommunitylink.org

  • Ripon Canal Basin – canal-side walk around Ripon centre (search “Ripon Canal Basin, Ripon”).

  • Jacob Smith Park, Knaresborough – large parkland on the edge of town (search “Jacob Smith Park, Knaresborough”). Wikipedia

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Killer Climb – Trapping Hill, Lofthouse – A category three climb in the heart of Upper Nidderdale – probably the most grueling and relentless in the Dale.

For more information Go to –  https://nidderdaleaonb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Killer-Climb_Trapping-Hill.pdf

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Gouthwaite Reservoir Nature Reserve –  A compensation reservoir for the River Nidd, which is managed as a nature reserve by Yorkshire Water.

For more information Go to – https://www.hdns.org.uk/wildlife-locations/gouthwaite-reservoir/

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We cannot guarantee this information is up to date and correct and has not changed since we published it. You should always check all the information out prior to using any information you find

 

Walking routes in Nidderdale

Our hiking and walking route suggestions below have free, downloadable maps with route information and points of interest along the walk.

For more information and printable maps go to

https://nidderdaleaonb.org.uk/visiting/outdoor-and-active/walking/

 Pateley Bridge, Bewerley and central AONB

       Bewerley Tree Trail

A short walking route for all the family taking in the lovely village of Bewerley through to Fishpond Wood. This walking route is one of our most popular walks for families and the more casual walker.

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  • Curlew Trail

This family-friendly trail follows a mix of footpaths and quiet lanes. Starting along the River Nidd it heads up through woodland to heather moorland, taking in the magnificent views and abundant wildlife.

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  • Pateley Bridge Circular Trail

This route takes in the amazing geological features of Brimham Rocks and passes through woodland and rolling fields, giving fantastic views across the valley.

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  • Pateley Bridge Heritage Trails

Discover more about the town’s fascinating history, follow the inner trail as it winds its way through the historic streets.

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  • Victorian Gardens of Pateley Bridge Trail

Take a walking tour around Pateley Bridge and see some of the fabulous historic houses and gardens.

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  • Yorke’s of Bewerley Trail

This walk takes you around what were once the extensive gardens and grounds surrounding Bewerley Hall which, until it was demolished in the 1920s, was the home of the influential Yorke family. The designed landscape, developed in the 18th to 20th centuries, included parkland, pleasure gardens, woodlands, ponds, walled kitchen gardens and a folly.

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  • Fishpond Wood Trail

Along this route you can take a walk through the historic village of Bewerley and enjoy the serenity of Fishpond Wood.

Nearest village: Bewerley Length: 2 miles (3km) Time (approx): 1-1.5 hours Difficulty: easy / moderate

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  • Ladies Riggs and Ashfoldside Trail

Along this route you will walk through the abandoned industrial landscape around Prosperous Smelt Mill, enjoy the secluded beauty of Ashfoldside Beck and take in the atmospheric Ladies Riggs and Bale Bank.

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  • Scot Gate Ash Trail

Along this route you can enjoy spectacular views across Nidderdale, take a short detour to the ruins of the 14th century St Mary’s Church, stroll up Pateley Bridge’s historic High Street and view the atmospheric remains of Scotgate Ash Quarry.

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  • Nought Moor Trail

Along this route you can enjoy a range of different settings, from the quiet serenity of the woods at Middle Tongue Bank to the heather moorland and blanket bog of Nought Moor, and take in spectacular views across Guisecliffe and Yorke’s Folly.

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  • Wath Trail

Along this route you can enjoy a range of different settings, from the wetlands of Nidd Marsh to the tranquillity of Spring Wood Top, take in serene views across Gouthwaite Reservoir nature reserve and see historic buildings such as the nineteenth century Dutch hay barn at Spring Wood Top farm.

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Upper Nidderdale

  • Greenhow Geology Trail

Take a journey back in time from the present day, to the Ice Age, then to tropical conditions 300-350 million years ago where you can discover fossils from the tropical seas and forests.

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  • Prosperous Lead Mine Trail

A choice of two circular routes exploring the industrial heritage of Prosperous Lead Mine and the surrounding area.

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  • Scar House Reservoir Trail

This route enables you to enjoy the remote beauty of Scar House and Angram reservoirs, appreciate the labours of the men and women who lived and worked here during the reservoir’s construction, and see how innovative approaches to farming are helping vulnerable species and habitats to thrive.

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  • Stean Trail

Along this route you will enjoy the tranquillity and natural beauty of Cliff Woods, see dramatic limestone rocks and cliffs in How Stean Gorge and walk through traditional hay meadows on Low Riggs Farm.

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  • Toft Gate Trail

Along this route you will experience a range of different settings, from the industrial heritage of Toft Gate Lime Kiln to Coldstones Cut, a monumental piece of public art with spectacular views, and hear the calls of upland birds on the high pastures of Toft Gate Farm.

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Open Air Activities For more information and printable maps go to

https://nidderdaleaonb.org.uk/visiting/outdoor-and-active/walking/

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  • Woodale Trail

This route enables you to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Scar House Reservoir, Great Whernside and the Upper Nidderdale moorlands, and walk along the Nidd’s unique dry river bed as the watercourse disappears into limestone caverns deep underground before re-surfacing downstream.

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Lower Nidderdale

  • Hartwith Heritage Walk

This walk explores the long history of human activity in this area of Lower Nidderdale and highlights the clues along the way.

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  • Kingfisher Trail

In the heart of Nidderdale AONB, the Kingfisher Trail is a circular walk,  starting and finishing in the beautiful village of Darley, following the River Nidd, through woodlands and meadows, abundant in wildlife.

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Open Air Activities

  • Packhorse Trail

A circular route taking in Darley and Thornthwaite, through beautiful wild flower meadows and ancient woodland, with some unusual historical features.

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The Washburn Valley and southern AONB

  • Blubberhouses Tree Trail

A riverside walking route full of interest with a variety of tree species, lots of wildlife and glimpses of industrial heritage. This walking trail is hugely popular and gives walkers the opportunity to experience the diverse wildlife that calls Nidderdale home.

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Mashamshire and northern AONB

  • Jervaulx Abbey to Thornton Steward Trail

Starting and finishing at the fascinating ruins of Jervaulx Abbey, this country walk takes you through stunning parkland, over lush pasture fields and through the historic village of Thornton Steward.

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  • WW1 Heritage Trail

This quiet dale to the north east of Nidderdale AONB has been the focus of a three year First World War Centenary project: Nidderdale AONB and the First World War: Leeds Pals, POWs and the Home Front. This heritage trail is a result of the project research and it tells the story of Colsterdale in the First World War.

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Open Air Activities

Ripon and eastern AONB

  • Aislabie Walk

A journey through the picturesque and designed landscapes of Studley Royal, Laver Banks and Hackfall.

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  • Crackpots Mosaic Trail

An intriguing walking trail around part of Dallowgill, marked with 22 mosaics showing local scenes of flora and fauna.

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  • Fountains Abbey to Markenfield Hall Trail

A walking route that links two important medieval sites near Ripon in North Yorkshire – Fountains Abbey and Markenfield Hall. In monastic times their lands adjoined.

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For more information and printable maps go to

https://nidderdaleaonb.org.uk/visiting/outdoor-and-active/walking/

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                Ripon Rowel Walk

This route is an elongated long loop around the lower Ure valley, starting and finishing in the ancient city of Ripon, and following recognised public rights of way and permissive paths. The route visits villages, historic sites, wooded valleys, rivers, lakes and streams. Particular highlights are Markenfield Hall, the romantic and magnificent Fountains Abbey, Studley Water Gardens and Park and the beautiful St Mary’s Church. There are visits to the tranquil River Skell’s Valley of the Seven Bridges and to Eavestone Lakes, Dallowgill, Ilton-Cum-Pot, a ‘Druids’ Temple’, and Hackfall Woods.

For more information and printable maps go to

https://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Ripon+Rowel

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                  Ripon City Wetlands

Created from the footprint of a working quarry, Ripon City Wetlands nature reserve is a thriving home for a range of birds and other wildlife. You may see bitterns, avocets, little ringed plovers, kingfishers and otters among the reedbeds and in the water. Wander along the marked trail and settle down to watch the wildlife at one of our two viewing places.

For more information and printable maps go to

https://www.ywt.org.uk/nature-reserves/ripon-city-wetlands

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