We are the Leeds Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
William G.
This walk offers vistas across fields, riverside and woodland walking and should be enjoyable for everyone participating.
Please note:
If in any doubts as to the suitability of this walk for you, please contact the walk leader.
Starting from Knaresborough railway station, we will walk along Water Bag Bank and then Waterside, so that we can cross the River Nidd, via the Harrogate Road (A59) bridge. Immediately after crossing the river, we will pick up the paved Harrogate Ringway Trail, which travels along cycle route 636, the Beryl Burton Cycleway. This will take us in a west-northwest (WNW) direction along Bilton Lane, past fields, to Old Bilton, on the outskirts of Harrogate.
As soon as we have passed Old Bilton, we will head roughly north (N), on a paved path, until we reach the River Nidd. Rather than making the steep descent into the Nidd Gorge, which was very muddy, when we did the recce, we will turn right, following a wooded path that takes us back towards Knaresborough and gradually descends, to meet and then follow the south (S) bank of the Nidd. This path is a mixture stony and muddy ground and short stretches of boardwalk and boarded footbridges over streams. The boarded sections were quite slippery, at the time of the recce.
We will cross the river at a footbridge, then go uphill briefly, to join a gravel forestry track, with a good surface and continue towards Knaresborough, above the north (N) bank, again walking through woods. Please take care to stay on the main track and obey no entry signs, as forestry operations take place near to the track. In due course, the forestry track takes us back to the bank of the Nidd. Considerable care is needed on this section of the route, as it was very muddy, at the time of the recce and one would not want to lose one's footing and end up in the Nidd!
Once, we emerge from the woods, we will work our way briefly northwards (N) up a steep and muddy, but short track. Once everyone has got their breath back, we will then turn right onto the Ripley Road (B6165) into Knaresborough and find our way back to the starting point. There is a pavement, but only on one side of the road and this alternates, so we will need to cross and recross this road, which was quite busy, at the time of the recce.
Safety notes
At this time of year, parts of the walk are likely to be very muddy, as they were during the recce. Trekking poles and suitable footwear are highly recommended. Please take extra care along the Nidd Gorge, as we don't want anyone falling into the river! Likewise, there are stretches along busy roads. Please keep a good lookout for traffic! It is unlikely that we will encounter cattle, as we are not walking across fields and a farm we pass is well fenced off from the path. If we do, please stay close together as a group, do nothing to alarm them and remain silent. Be prepared to let your dog go.
Please bear in mind that the initial part of the route is on cycleways. Please give way to cyclists and trail runners.
Most of the gradients on this walk are fairly gentle, with the exception of a few steep, but short stretches. The walk leader will give everyone a chance to get their breath back, after these steep sections.
There are no stiles on this walk.
If your dog is fairly fit, they should be able to manage this walk (certainly we saw several dogs that were enjoying themselves, during the recce), but please keep them on a lead, when we are close to the Nidd and in the part of the walk that is on the road.
Stops
If time permits and this is open (which it was during the recce), we will pause for a brief refreshment stop, at the Gardner's Arms, in Bilton. At the end of the walk, those who wish to can congregate in a pub, or café, in time honoured fashion, along with the walk leader.
We will make a lunch stop along the way, although given the short days, at this time of year, this will have to be quite snappy.
Toilets
There is a Wetherspoon pub, the Crown Inn, on High Street, a short walk from the departure point, but please bear in mind that their toilets are for customer use.
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/the-crown-inn-knaresborough
As we leave Knaresborough, we will pass public toilets at the entrance to Conyngham Hall. These were open, when we did the recce.
The nearest public toilets to the departure point are on the High Street at the bus station:
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/leisure-tourism-and-culture/public-toilets/public-toilets/bus-station-toilets-knaresborough.
Alternatively, toilets are available at Castle Yard:
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/leisure-tourism-and-culture/public-toilets/public-toilets/castle-yard-toilets-knaresborough
Apart from those reasonably close to the start/end of the walk, there are no public toilets, along the route.
Parking
The following car parks are available:
Castle Yard
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/car-park-directory/car-park-directory/castle-yard-car-park-knaresborough
Chapel Street
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/car-park-directory/car-park-directory/chapel-street-car-park-knaresborough
Conyngham Hall
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/car-park-directory/car-park-directory/conyngham-hall-car-park-knaresborough
Waterside
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/car-park-directory/car-park-directory/waterside-car-park-knaresborough
York Place
https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/roads-parking-and-travel/car-park-directory/car-park-directory/york-place-car-park-knaresborough
Public Transport
Rail
Trains from Leeds to Knaresborough run along the Harrogate line.
Buses
The 36 bus runs between Leeds and Harrogate. Variants of the number 1 bus travel between Harrogate and Knaresborough.
https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/the-harrogate-bus-company/
Knaresborough Railway Station, Station Road, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 9AA. We will meet outside what used to the station ticket office, directly opposite the Mitre pub.
