Harrogate Ringway Walk
19.9 miles (32 km)The Harrogate Ringway is a circular walking route exploring the countryside and green spaces surrounding Harrogate in North Yorkshire. The route takes in the beautiful woodland of the Pinewoods, the gardens and grounds around RHS Harlow Carr Gardens, and the atmospheric riverside paths through Nidd Gorge.
The walk also visits historic Knaresborough, with its attractive riverside setting, before continuing through a mixture of farmland, woodland and quiet country lanes.... At around 20 miles, it makes a rewarding full-day walk, offering a varied introduction to the landscapes and attractions around Harrogate.
Walk Report October 26th 2026 By Michael Turner:
We set off to tackle the Harrogate Ringway on a bright morning, knowing we had a good day's walking ahead of us. At around 20 miles, it's not a route to underestimate, so we packed drinks, snacks and a few extra layers and made an early start. I was looking forward to seeing more of the countryside around Harrogate, rather than just visiting the town itself, and the Ringway turned out to be a great way of discovering how quickly the built-up area gives way to fields, woods and quiet country lanes.
One of the things I liked about the route was the variety. You don't spend the whole day trudging across open fields, nor is it one long woodland walk. Instead, the scenery keeps changing, with footpaths across farmland, stretches of country lane, leafy tracks and occasional views across the surrounding Yorkshire countryside. Some sections are fairly ordinary rural walking, but I enjoyed the quieter atmosphere and the chance to see the area at a more leisurely pace. There were sheep grazing in the fields, birds moving through the hedgerows and plenty of places where we could stop for a quick breather without feeling we were in anybody's way.
The area around RHS Harlow Carr Gardens was one of the early highlights for me. Harlow Carr is a lovely part of Harrogate, with its gardens, mature trees and woodland setting, and the surrounding paths have a pleasant, leafy feel. We didn't want to spend too long away from the Ringway itself, but I made a mental note that the gardens would be worth a separate visit. They would also make an appealing addition to a day out if you were happy to break the walk into sections rather than complete the entire circuit in one go. Nearby Pinewoods adds to the sense of green space on this side of town, with tall trees and shady paths providing a welcome contrast to the more open countryside.
As we continued, the Ringway took us through a mixture of farmland and quieter rural stretches. I found these sections enjoyable in a simple way: there was no need to keep stopping for photographs or looking out for a famous landmark, just the pleasure of walking through the countryside and chatting as we went. The hedgerows were busy with small birds, and every so often the path opened up to give us a better view across the fields. On a long walk, I think these less dramatic stretches matter too, because they give you a chance to settle into a rhythm and cover some distance without feeling you have to rush.
Of course, a walk of this length does involve keeping an eye on your energy levels. We stopped for a snack and a drink when we found a suitable place, and I was glad we had brought our own supplies rather than relying on finding somewhere open at exactly the right moment. It is worth checking the route carefully before setting off, as there are stretches between settlements where you won't necessarily find a café or shop close at hand. Good footwear is important as well: field paths can be muddy after rain, and some of the uneven sections take more effort when your legs are already beginning to tire.
One of the most memorable parts of the day was Nidd Gorge. The path descends into a steep-sided wooded valley, where the River Nidd winds beneath the trees. The change in scenery is striking after the more open farmland, with moss-covered banks, exposed roots and dense woodland creating a much more enclosed atmosphere. I particularly enjoyed the sound of the river as we made our way through the gorge. It felt peaceful and secluded, even though Harrogate and Knaresborough aren't far away.
We slowed down here to take in the surroundings, and I kept looking towards the water in the hope of spotting a heron fishing along the riverbank. The woodland is full of little details if you take the time to notice them, from birds calling overhead to the way the light filters through the canopy. It is also a section where you need to watch your footing. The paths can be steep, rooty and slippery after wet weather, so this isn't the place to stride along without looking where you're going. I enjoyed the fact that Nidd Gorge felt like a proper change of scene rather than simply another stretch of footpath.
The old railway viaduct adds another point of interest to the gorge. Its stone arches are an impressive sight through the trees and provide a reminder of the railway history of the Nidd Valley. I stopped to appreciate the structure before we carried on, and it struck me how different this part of the walk feels from the open fields elsewhere on the Ringway. The gorge is one of those places where you can easily spend longer than intended, but with plenty of miles still to cover, we eventually got moving again.
Knaresborough provides a welcome change of pace, with its historic streets and dramatic position above the River Nidd. After hours of countryside walking, arriving in a town feels like an event in itself, especially when you have the prospect of a café, pub or shop nearby. The river and old bridges give the place plenty of character, and I could understand why people visit independently of the walking routes. We were tempted to stop for longer, but we knew there was still a substantial distance to cover, so we had a short pause before continuing.
Beyond Knaresborough, the Ringway returns to the quieter landscape of fields, lanes and footpaths. By this stage, we were beginning to feel the miles, and the shorter pauses became more welcome. I found that keeping a steady pace worked much better than trying to walk quickly early on and then struggling later. The scenery continued to change, with wooded patches breaking up the farmland and occasional views reminding us that we were making our way around the outskirts of a sizeable town rather than following a remote long-distance trail.
As the afternoon wore on, I started to appreciate the Ringway as a complete circuit rather than just a collection of individual attractions. The gardens, rural paths, river gorge and historic town all contribute something different, and the longer distance gives you time to see how the landscape changes around Harrogate. There are sections that are less exciting than others, but that is normal on a route of this length, and I liked the feeling of gradually working our way back towards where we had started.
By the time we completed the walk, our legs certainly knew about it. We were pleased to have made it around, and there was a real sense of satisfaction in finishing a route that had taken us through so many different settings in a single day. I would recommend allowing plenty of daylight, taking enough food and water, and checking the route and conditions beforehand. It is also worth having a backup plan for refreshments, rather than assuming there will be somewhere convenient to stop when you need it.
The Harrogate Ringway is a rewarding challenge for walkers who enjoy covering a decent distance and seeing more than one side of a place. I particularly liked the contrast between the green surroundings of Harlow Carr and the wooded depths of Nidd Gorge, with Knaresborough adding a historic town stop along the way. It isn't a walk made up entirely of spectacular viewpoints, but the variety is what makes it worthwhile. By the end, we'd had a proper day out on foot, with plenty of countryside, some interesting local features and the satisfaction of completing the circuit.
This trail joins with the Knaresborough Round around the historic town of Knaresborough. You can pick up this 20 mile circular trail to further explore the countryside and villages of the area.
The route also passes close to the splendid Plumpton Rocks. It's well worth a small detour to visit this delightful hidden gem. Almscliffe Crag is also just off the route near North Rigton, providing splendid views over the Wharfe Valley countryside.
Pubs and More Info
In the little village of Old Bilton you could stop for some refreshments at the Gardeners Arms. The classic old pub has some features like wainscotting, stone flags, and stone fireplaces still remaining. There's also a nice large garden area to sit out in when the weather is fine. You can find the pub on Bilton Lane with a postcode of HG1 4DH for your sat navs.
If you have time we recommend exploring the splendid Knaresborough Castle. The 12th century castle sits in a fine location, next to the river, just south of the train station. For a fee you can explore the interior of the castle and visit the interesting museum which details the history of the castle. The grounds include pretty gardens, attractive lawns, a bowling green and a putting green are free to access. From the castle's elevated position there are also fine views over the surrounding area.
Just to the south of the town you'll pass Rudding Park. The park includes a Grade I listed Regency-style country house, a spa and an 18-hole golf course in the 18th-century parkland. You can stay at the hotel and enjoy a popular spa day here. In this area you'll also enjoy walks along the Crimple Valley Beck to the impressive Crimple Railway Viaduct.
If you link with the Knaresborough Round near Rudding Park you could head north east to visit Goldsborough. Here you can explore the beautiful landscaped gardens at the 16th century Goldsborough Hall.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Nidderdale Walks page.
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Nearby Routes
Knaresborough Round Plumpton Rocks Nidd Gorge Ripley Castle Harlow Carr to Valley Gardens Almscliffe Crag Rudding Park Goldsborough
Photos
. Along the way, the flora is a vibrant showcase of the region's natural heritage. In spring, ancient woodlands and hedgerows burst into life with carpets of bluebells, primroses, and wood anemones beneath the canopy of mature oaks, beeches, and sycamores.
