Countryside guided walks

The purpose of this Guided Walks programme is primarily to introduce people to walking in the Bradford District. You may be surprised at the variety of landscape and wildlife to be experienced both in the countryside that we have, and in the urban areas.

The aims of the walks are to provide a safe, friendly atmosphere in which you can become familiar with the local routes, landscapes and rights of way - the first step in devising your own routes so you can explore further, or join up with one of the local walking groups.

Unless otherwise stated in the walk information, walks are free. You will however be expected to pay your own fare if your walk involves the use of public transport.

The walks will normally be paced at 2 miles per hour but will take longer on themed walks and also where there is some difficulty or where there are large numbers of walkers. All mileage is approximate. The walk guide or activity leader reserves the right to cancel or amend the walk or activity in the light of problems which may effect the safety of the walk party.

Please note: the leader reserves the right to refuse to allow any walker to join in if inadequately dressed or would clearly struggle to complete the walk.

Walkers are requested to keep behind the leader in order that a pace can be maintained for the benefit of all the party.

Approximate timings 

Mileage	Approximate time
1 mile (1.6km)	30 minutes
2 miles (3.2km)	1 hour
3 miles (4.8km)	1.5 hours
4 miles (6.4km)	2 hours
5 miles (8km)	2.5 hours
6 miles (9.7km)	3 hours
7 miles (11.2km)	3.5 hours
8 miles (12.8km)	4 hours
9 miles (14.4km)	4.5 hours
10 miles (16km)	5 hours
11 miles (17.7km)	5.5 hours

 

*       Little or no difficulty

**     Some difficulty

***    A difficult walk

October

Thursday, 12 October **

Two Ways

4.5 miles Circular

Packed lunch

Meet Nigel at 1pm at Bridle Stile car park, off Halifax Road, Shelf (A6036) to explore the attractive countryside around Shelf.

Wednesday, 25 October ***

The Railway Children Walk

6 miles Circular

Packed lunch

Meet Barbara Walker at 10.30am at Haworth Railway Station to discover all the locations from this iconic 1970s film. Mainly good paths with some gentle hills.

November

Tuesday, 7 November **

Lower Laithe

5 miles Circular

Packed lunch

Meet Daphne Allen at 10.30am on the steps of Haworth Parish Church for a varied walk with several stiles and a short climb up to Stanbury returning via the Duchy of Lumb Foot.

Wednesday, 29 November **

One Way Ticket

6 miles Linear

Packed lunch

Meet Malcolm Gardner at 11.15am at Burley in Wharfedale rail station for a walk from Burley to Guiseley via Menston. Return by train to Burley (pay your own fare).

December

Wednesday, 20 December ***

Winter Solstice at Druids Altar

6 miles Linear

Packed lunch

Meet Paul Mawson outside Keighley Railway Station at 11am. This walk includes a challenging climb up to Druids Altar, with fantastic views across the Aire Valley (weather permitting). Then on to Bingley via St Ives. Make your own way back by bus or rail.

Tuesday, 26 December ***

Bronte Falls

5 miles Circular

Packed lunch

Meet Barbara Walker and Phil Hatton at 11am outside Haworth Parish Church. Mainly good paths with a short stretch of rougher ground and one steep hill. Seasonal treats after lunch.

January 2024

Monday, 1 January *

Funny Hat and Wig Walk

4.5 miles Circular

Packed Lunch

Meet Barbara Walker at 11am outside Bingley Arts Centre for a level walk through beautiful countryside, taking in the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, the River Aire and Hirst Woods.

Tuesday, 23 January ***

Dean Beck in Winter

6.5 miles Circular

Packed lunch

Meet Howard Lloyd at 11am at the Old Bridge on the River Wharfe, bottom of Stockeld Road, Ilkley for a walk on fields and paths to Nesfield. Climbing to Upper Austby with the promise of outstanding views of Wharfedale. Please note that the start point is a 15 minute walk from Ilkley rail and bus station.

February

Tuesday, 20 February ***

Pinfold Hill

6.5 miles Circular

Packed lunch

Meet Daphne Allen at 10.30am next to the Roebuck pub, Skipton Road, Utley, Keighley (B6265) for a walk on tracks up to Pinfold Hill and beyond, returning via Alder Carr Wood.

Thursday, 29 February *

Chellow Dean

3.5 miles Circular

Snack

Meet Nigel at 1pm at Chellow Dean car park off Haworth Road (B6144) near Sandy Lane crossroads. Explore the reservoirs and the countryside around them.

March

Wednesday, 6 March ***

Millennium Way Walk no 9

8 miles Circular

Packed lunch

Meet Paul Mawson at 11am at the bus terminus at Stanbury. This walk includes some hills and moorland, passing Keighley Moor reservoir and Ponden reservoir, before returning to Stanbury via a slightly tricky path. 

Wednesday, 13 March ***

Around Airedale

9 miles Circular

Packed lunch

Meet Malcolm Gardner at 10.30am on Shipley Glen opposite Bracken Hall Countryside Centre. A walk down to the River Aire and the Leeds/Liverpool Canal, then up to Eldwick and back to Shipley Glen.

Tuesday, 19 March ***

What's Up Pike?

6.5 miles Circular

Packed lunch

Meet Howard Lloyd at 11am at Addingham Library for a ramble on established paths and tracks to Haw Pike returning on a section of the Dalesway along the River Wharfe.

Friday, 29 March *

Calvary on Good Friday

3.5 miles Circular

Packed lunch

Meet Barbara Walker at 11am at Ilkley Manor House for a gentle walk on field and woodland paths and along country lanes, Calling at Calvary and returning via Middleton Woods.

General information 

Public transport

Due to the remoteness of some of the walk starting points, not all walks are convenient for public transport users. However, where time and location allow, our aim is to make as many walks as possible accessible by public transport. Contact MetroLine on 0113 245 7676 or visit www.wymetro.com for full and up to date travel information.

Be prepared for the weather

Walking boots or stout shoes are recommended on all walks, wellington boots are suitable for shorter walks. Waterproofs, extra sweater, hat and gloves are best carried in a small back-pack in preference to a hand held bag.

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed on any of our walks with the exception of guide dogs.

Walkers ability

Due to the very nature of the countryside, walkers may from time to time experience difficulties, whether it be a difficult stile, slippy steps, mud etc.

Food and drink

It is advisable to bring food and drinks on all our walks and activities. The amount of food you bring is of course up to the individual. However, we do recommend that for walks starting before lunchtime you bring a packed lunch.

First aid

Please note that our walk leaders are unable to provide first aid assistance or equipment on our walks.

Customer care

On all Bradford’s Countryside and Rights of Way Service Walks the leader will be assisted by a second volunteer whose job it is to look after the tail end of the party. If you are experiencing any difficulties during the walk please let the back-up volunteer know so that any necessary action can be taken. It is also important to let the back-up know if you are leaving the walk.

The Countryside Code

Respect Other People

Please respect the local community and other people using the outdoors. Remember your actions can affect people’s lives and livelihoods.

• Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors
• Leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths unless wider access is available.

Protect the Natural Environment

We all have a responsibility to protect the countryside now and for future generations, so make sure you don’t harm animals, birds, plants or trees and try to leave no trace of your visit. When out with your dog make sure it is not a danger or nuisance to farm animals, horses, wildlife or other people.

• Leave no trace of your visit - take your litter home
• Keep dogs under effective control.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Even when going out locally, it’s best to get the latest information about where and when you can go. For example, your rights to go onto some areas of open access land and coastal land may be restricted in particular places at particular times. Find out as much as you can about where you are going, plan ahead and follow advice and local signs.

• Plan ahead and be prepared
• Follow advice and local signs.

For full details of the Countryside Code visit: www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code

The Countryside and Rights of Way Service is constantly striving to improve its service to the community, to this end we need help from you the customer. If you have enjoyed your walk please tell your friends. If not, tell us.

Please send your comments to:

The Countryside and Rights of Way Service Manager
Countryside and Rights of Way Service
4th Floor Britannia House
BRADFORD
BD1 1HX