The best walks in Leeds

We’re dedicated to creating attractive, spacious and modern new homes in Leeds and across the wider Yorkshire region. When you move into a new home by Strata, you have everything you need to live life to the full and make wonderful memories together. 

As well as enjoying home life, it’s also great for the mind and body to experience the great outdoors, which is why we’ve put together this list of Leeds walks to help you keep fit while you explore the local area.

Hawksworth Wood Circular

Offering beautiful views around North West Leeds, the Hawksworth Wood Circular is a 6.7-mile walk that begins in the scenic surroundings of Hawksworth Wood and includes the breath-taking Kirkstall Abbey. Further down the route you’ll find yourself strolling along the River Aire, with its calming sounds and wide array of bustling ecosystems. 

As you continue walking, the sights will include meadows of wildflowers, Newlay Bridge and Calverley Bridge, plus the unique locations of Hunger Hills, Haigh Wood and Oil Mill Beck, making this one of the most enjoyable walks around Leeds. The Hawksworth Wood Circular is a stone’s throw from the new homes in our Entice development – just 15 minutes and you’ll be in the woods and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

Harewood House

Fancy combining a walk in Leeds with a day of good food and rich heritage? Harewood House is a stunning 18th century stately home on the outskirts of North Leeds. With more than 100 acres of beautifully maintained gardens, Harewood House also offers bird sanctuaries that are home to owls, parrots, flamingos and even cute little penguins.

As well as offering you the opportunity to wander around at your leisure, the Harewood House Trust also organises a wide range of walking events, such as the Dawn Chorus Walk and the three-hour Spring Safari. Take a look at what’s on and treat yourself to a fun day out for all the family.

Trans Pennine Trail

A true classic when it comes to walks near Leeds, the Trans Pennine Trail is one of the UK’s most famous walks at a whopping 215 miles long. That’s probably a bit much for a relaxing jaunt, so it might be best to stick to the 14-mile route that comprises the Leeds to Wakefield section. 

This lovely Leeds walk begins outside Royal Armouries (a great attraction in itself) and passes through the charming village of Methley. As you move along the route, you’ll get to enjoy the picturesque St Aidan’s Nature Park, the nature hotspots of the Aire-Calder Navigation, and end up at the peaceful Stanley Ferry Marina.

Leeds Country Way

If you really do love a good walk and have the right kind of kit, the Leeds Country Way begins at Golden Acre Park and is a 62-mile hike in total. However, you’ll never be more than seven miles from the city, as it’s a circular route that’s split into four parts, so you can walk as much or as little of it as you wish whilst remaining practically on your doorstep.

Depending on which section you take, you can enjoy views of the Eccup Reservoir, the greenery of Barnbowl Wood, the romantic ruins of Howley Hall, and the Fulneck Moravian Settlement, a village in Pudsey that overlooks a deep and majestic valley. 

Eccup Reservoir

If you’d like to explore Eccup Reservoir in closer detail, it has its very own walking route that offers serene panoramas across the still waters. Starting on Alwoodley Lane, you’ll soon see Goodrick Plantation and Owlet Hall Farm, which are a feast for the all the senses. 

One of the most family-friendly walks near Leeds, we recommend taking the kids and treating them to a picnic along the way. 

The Lines Way

What was once the Garforth-Castleford railway line is now a fantastic walk in Leeds. Starting off at Allerton Bywater, this 9-mile walk boasts three nature reserves, making it a great choice for animal lovers and birdwatchers, not to mention railway enthusiasts. 

Woodlands, meadows and the historic arches of the old railway are all included in this very pleasant walk that’s perfect for a warm, sunny day.

Fulneck Loop Circular

Another of the best places to walk in Leeds is Fulneck Loop Circular, which is very popular due to it being a simple 5-mile route that’s ideal for walkers of all ages and abilities. Beginning at Tong Hall, the stunning manor house built in the late 17th century, this jolly walk offers views of Pudsey Beck, Tyersal Beck, Black Carr Woods and the wonderful City of Leeds itself.

The Meanwood Valley Trail

If you love dog walking in Leeds, we suggest the 7-mile Meanwood Valley Trail. This walk can be started at either Woodhouse Moor Car Park or Golden Acre Park according to preference, taking in gorgeous views from Woodhouse Ridge and the Seven Arches Aqueduct regardless of which direction you’re walking in. The easy route also includes plenty of natural environments which we guarantee your pooch will love.

Leeds Canal Walk

Another walk in Leeds that begins at Royal Armouries, the Leeds Canal Walk combines fascinating industrial history with unspoilt natural habitats. Passing well-known spots such as Granary Wharf, Kirkstall Valley, Rodley Nature Reserve, Bramley Fall Park and Calverley Woods, the Leeds Canal Walk is a waterside route that really does pack in plenty of sightseeing. If you’re based at our Kudos development of new homes on York Road, it’s easy to get into the city centre and then head out on the canal walk.

A relatively long route at 13 miles, you can of course just enjoy sections of it if you’re not quite in the mood for a full day on your feet. No matter where you join this famous canal walk, we promise you won’t be disappointed by its tranquillity and splendour.

Bonus walk in Leeds: A saunter around Chapel Allerton

An inner suburb in the northeast of Leeds that’s celebrated for its many stylish bars, family-friendly eateries, quirky boutiques and The Little Bookshop, which has been matching avid readers with good reads since 2017, it’s no wonder that Chapel Allerton is a hotspot for leisurely walks and enjoyable days out.

Whilst on your walk, why not pop into Seven Arts for a bite to eat and enjoy anything from live music and comedy to a quiz night, theatre show or simply a mooch around its exhibition space? If the weather’s bright, Chapel Allerton Park offers hilly scenery at one end and all kinds of play and physical activity stations at the other, making it ideal for people of all ages and also man’s best friend.

Whether you’re a ready-to-go rambler every weekend or just looking for a nice easy walk that the whole family can handle, there’s no shortage of lovely walks in Leeds to enjoy. One of the benefits of living in Leeds is the combination of a metropolitan city with easy access to plenty of green spaces – so if you’re considering a move to the area, check out our communities of contemporary new homes in Leeds and find your forever home, or head to our Inspiration pages for some interior and lifestyle inspiration.