Are you planning to visit North Yorkshire with your family? You’ve picked a great location! In this blog, we’re letting you know about the best family walks in North Yorkshire.
All you need to know about North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a beautiful place to visit, with many activities and events available throughout the year. One thing’s for sure: you won’t be short of things to do here.
North Yorkshire is the largest county in England, and it is well known for its stunning views, fascinating history and many things to do. When it comes to walks in North Yorkshire, there are so many options, as 40% of the county is made up of the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.
These parks are one of the many things that make North Yorkshire so well known. This, along with its many other landmarks, are definitely talking points and things you should see when you visit this area.
Did you know that North Yorkshire has more than 12,000 listed buildings? We wonder how many you can tick off when you visit.
Best family-friendly walks in North Yorkshire
Heading out for a walk with the family is a great way to stay healthy and make long-lasting memories! Why not pack a picnic?! Many of these walks also have pubs, cafes or ice cream vans on route.
- Skipton Castle Woods Walk – Skipton, 3km walk
- Bolton Abbey Strid Wood Walk – North Yorkshire, 4.7-mile route
- Heber’s Ghyll Dinosaur Walk – Ilkley, 2km walk
- Ripley Castle Grounds Walk – Harrogate, 5-mile route
- Fewston Reservoir Walk – Otley, 6.5km route
- Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park – Ripon
- Head of Wharfedale, Buckden National Park, 5 or 7 miles, depending on the route chosen
- Studfold Adventure Trail Walk – Harrogate
- Brimham Rocks Family Walk – Harrogate, 2km walk
- Aysgarth Falls – Leyburn, 1.5km
Waterfall walks in North Yorkshire
Who doesn’t love a stunning waterfall?! Given how relaxing they are, we’re not surprised you’re looking out for the best North Yorkshire waterfall walks. Here are some of our favourite walks.
South of the county
- Janet’s Foss and Gordale Scar: Malham, 4 – 8 mile route options
- Cow Close Waterfalls: Cray, Upper Wharfedale, 4.5-mile walk
- Heber’s Ghyll: Ilkley, 2-mile route – a fab short walk!
- Hebden Beck Waterfall: Hebden – Yorkshire Dales National Park, under a 2-mile route – DO NOT miss this secret waterfall and lovely walk!
- Buckden Beck Waterfalls: Buckden, less than 1 mile walk
- Bolton Abbey Waterfalls: Bolton Abbey – The Yorkshire Dales, 5-mile route (other routes are available around the Bolton Abbey Estate)
North of the county
- Gunnerside Gill: Gunnerside, 10-mile route
- Hardraw Force Waterfall: Hardraw, 1-2 miles
- Cauldron Falls: West Burton, under 2 mile route
West of the county
- Rutter Force: Hoff – Yorkshire Dales National Park, 3 – 4 miles
- Cautley Spout: Sedbergh, 3-mile route
- Scaleber Force: Settle, just a one-mile route – great for very little legs!
Other things you might find on these gorgeous trails
- A golf course
- A gorgeous village
- Secret garden
- Deer park
- Treehouse
- A nature reserve
- A farm and cafe visit opportunity
- Adventure playground
If you decide to paddle…
These waterfalls are beautiful in different ways; some are in plain sight, and others are hiding off the tracks. It’s very important that you ensure the safety of yourself and others when visiting these waterfalls.
You may find that you are able to take a paddle in the water, but you should look out for signage and also conduct research before you visit to ensure that this is safe and allowed. If there is a sign saying not to enter the water, then it’s very important that you adhere to the rules.
It’s a good idea to do some reading on what to bring if you plan on going for a paddle. Ensure that you have warm clothes and a towel for after. You should purchase a tow float, which makes you more visible to others.
Find out more about how to stay safe when open water swimming here.
Preparing for a family walk
There’s lots to think about when preparing for a family walk, so here are a few of the most important things to ensure.
Things to pack for family walks
- Food and drinks
- Money – cash and card
- First aid kit
- Wipes
- A portable fan
- Suncream
- Hat
- Bug spray
- Hayfever tablets
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof jacket
- Good walking shoes
How to get the kids involved in our favourite family walks
These walks have been selected for families to enjoy together, which means they’re great for all ages. If you want to ensure that your children are involved in the process, why not let them have some say in which walk you choose?
You might also find it useful to print a wildlife chart so that they can look out for different things along the route. Not only will this keep them engaged, but it will also help them to learn new things.
Route safety
We recommend that you do some extra research into these routes before you set off on your adventure. Some of the routes may have rocky, uneven and steep paths or terrain. Additionally, they may not be suitable for your child or children, depending on their ages.
You can find plenty of information about these popular Yorkshire walks online. We also recommend looking into the parking situation at these locations. Many of them have free parking nearby, but it’s good to have a backup option in case the main car park is too full.
Check whether you are embarking on a circular walk or a linear walk, as this will affect the distance. Long and short routes are available to suit older children and younger ones with little legs! You should also check whether these gorgeous walks are buggy-friendly. Some of these walking trails may also have a Visitor Centre nearby.
Have somewhere to relax after your lovely walks
Our holiday park is the perfect place to relax after a busy day exploring the great outdoors. Tarn House is located near Skipton in North Yorkshire and is the ideal base for all of your adventures. Read our blog on things to do in Skipton.
This holiday park features gorgeous views across the Yorkshire Dales, a brand-new bar and restaurant, an on-site country store and much more. Here are some more reasons to stay with us…
- Pet-friendly accommodation
- Holiday homes for sale – read our blog on reasons to buy a holiday home in North Yorkshire
- Hot tub breaks
- Sports courts
- Cleaning facilities
- Woodland walks
- Children’s play park – a lovely little park for when the parents need some peace!
- Glamping pods
- Dog shower
- Nature trail
- Attraction schemes available for holiday home owners and guests – ask at reception to find out more! Read our blog on things to do in North Yorkshire.
We hope you have found this blog useful regarding the best family walks in North Yorkshire. We’d love to welcome you to Tarn House holiday park! Contact us to book your next staycation. Hopefully you’ll be able to fit in a few walks during your trip.
