The Best Walks in and Around York, England

York is one of the most popular destinations in the north of England, and it’s a city I’ve called home for nearly 4 years now. I can’t say I’ve enjoyed the coronavirus lockdown. But it has made me much more appreciative of where I live! Since I’ve only been able to go for one exercise walk per day from my doorstep, I’ve seen a lot more of the city. There are places around the corner from my house that I had never been to before! Even if you’re just visiting York, these are a few great options to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city on a nice day. If you’re visiting the city but don’t have a car, check out the best car-free walks from York. But whether you live here or are just visiting, here are the best walks in and around York!

The Best Walks From York City Center

The City Walls

One of my favorite walks in York takes in the city by walking the walls. York has the best remaining medieval city walls in the country—some parts even date back to the Romans, nearly 2000 years ago! There is so much history here and lots to explore. If you’re visiting York, walking the walls is a must. Even better, there’s no cost and it’s one of the best free things to do in York! I recommend doing an entire circuit of the walls if you have time. If you don’t, the best sections (with the most iconic views) are from Bootham Bar to Monkgate Bar, and the short section from Lendal Bridge to Station Rise. Note that the city walls may be closed in bad weather.

Length: 2 miles

Looking for hostels? Book here!

Time: 1.5 hours

Interested in a FREE 10-page York Mini Guide?

Included in this York Mini Guide are:

The top experiences and things to do in the city
Where to eat & drink (cafes, restaurants, pubs)
The best daytrips outside the city
An itinerary for how to spend 3 days in York

Click here to get your free copy!

The Cat Trail

If you’re looking for a short, unique walk around York city center, check out the Cat Trail! York is home to about 20 cat statues, hidden around the city. I’ve done the full trail myself once, and it was really fun discovering so many of them around town—now I can’t believe I walked past so many of them for so many years and never noticed! I prefer this trail, done by York Glass on the Shambles, otherwise you can also do the trail from the Cat Gallery on Low Petergate. This is a great way to see more of the city of York!

Length: 2.5 miles

Time: 1 hour

York to Bishopthorpe

This is one of my favorite walks to get out of the city on a nice day. The walk goes along the River Ouse to the quiet village of Bishopthorpe, and the paths tend to be fairly quiet even though you’re still close to the city. Start at the Skeldergate Bridge (near Clifford’s Tower) and go down through Rowntree Park and by Millennium Bridge. There is a fantastic pub in Bishopthorpe, the Ebor Inn, where you can go for a pint half-way through the walk (I always do!). You can do this in just about 2 hours if you go there and back—add on an extra hour if you’re planning on stopping for a pint and soaking up the sun in the beer garden. You can also do this walk on the east side of the River Ouse, for a nice stroll through Fulford Ings and a great view of Bishopthorpe Palace. However, there’s no bridge to cross and no pub at the end!

Length: 6.5 miles

Time: 2-3 hours

The Foss Islands Trail And The River Foss

One of my favorite discoveries since the lockdown started is the Foss Islands Trail (on the York Orbital Route) that cuts through the east side of the city. From the city center, follow Peasholme Green out past Foss Islands Road—you can get on the Foss Islands Trail from behind Morrison’s supermarket, or you can follow Monkgate out over the River Foss and connect with it there. The path allows both walkers and bicycles, and you can follow it all the way up to Haxby Road. Turn right (past Nuffield Hospital and Joseph Rowntree Theater), and there is a small path leading to the River Foss by Yearsley Swimming Pool. You can then follow the River Foss all the way back to either Monkgate or Peasholme Green.

Length: 2.5 miles (from Peasholme Green/Foss Islands Road)

Time: 1-1.5 hours

River Foss

Instead of doing the short loop above, you can also add onto the walk by continuing up the River Foss, through New Earswick and past the ring road up to Haxby. I did an extended out-and-back of the River Foss, and turned back after a flooded footbridge stopped me from crossing the river (approximately 3.5-4 miles from Peasholme Green). More recently, I continued on all the way to Haxby. You can find more information from this route by iTravel York. This is a gorgeous walk, especially on a nice day—despite how close you are to the city and surrounding suburbs and villages, it felt wonderfully peaceful and quiet. But it can get extremely muddy, you’ve been warned!

Length: 8 miles

Time: 3-3.5 hours

St. Nick’s Through Osbaldwick to Murton and Back

If you’re in/around the southeast part of the city (near Walmgate), this is a fantastic walk to do. Heading out of the city down Walmgate and Lawrence Street, head through St. Nick’s Nature Reserve and explore some of the footpaths. Make sure you check out the stone circle! Then head down the walking/bicycle trail and follow this all the way out of the city to Metcalf Lane. Head through the village of Osbaldwick (hopefully soon we’ll be able to stop at the Derwent Arms for a pint!) and follow the road out of town along to the quiet village of Murton. Retrace your steps back onto the main trail. You can follow it all the way back and retrace your steps, or you can get off the trail in Tang Hall and cut through Hull Road Park. Then head back to Walmgate and the city center.

Length: 6 miles

Time: 2.5-3 hours

Rawcliffe County Park

There are so many wonderful places within York to get out and explore. One of my favorites is definitely Rawcliffe County Park. You can walk all the way along the River Ouse, out of the city center, and you’ll come to a massive green open space. This is a fantastic walk on a sunny day! Start at Lendal Bridge in York, and there is a path along the river that takes you all the way to the park. You can do a huge loop around the whole park, or just walk and explore a bit before retracing your steps back along the river.

Length: 5 miles

Time: 1.5-2 hours (depending on how far you walk at Rawcliffe County Park)

Fulford and Walmgate Stray

Another great walk just outside the city center of York is through Rowntree Park and Fulford to Walmgate Stray. Starting at Skeldergate Bridge, follow the River Ouse down through Rowntree Park. Cross the river at Millennium Bridge and through the fields, then head through Hospital Fields Road and through the military barracks (yes, there is a legitimate walking trail here!!) to Walmgate Stray. You can take a big loop of this gorgeous field, then cut up by the Low Moor Allotments to Heslington Road, and retrace your steps back to the city.

Length: 3.5 miles

Time: 1.5 hours

The York Solar System

The York Solar System trail is much better geared for a bike ride, as opposed to a walk. However, it’s still a nice walk and a good way to get out of town! Along the old East Coast mainline railway (which is also part of the Trans-Pennine Trail), you can find scale models of all the planets of the solar system. It starts at the Askham Bryan Park and Ride and goes all the way out to Riccall. You’ll see the Sun, Mercury Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. You can take a bus #415 back to the city center of York from Riccall, which takes about 30 minutes.

Length: 6.4 miles

Time: 2.5 hours (one way)

The Millennium Way

This is a long-distance walking path that I’d never even heard of before lockdown! The Millennium Way links some of the historic strays of York (including many in this post) with some of the best countryside. I ended up walking a bit of it out near Monk’s Cross and it was so peaceful! The walk starts and ends at Lendal Bridge in the city center and it goes out and around, almost like a star-shape. Find more information on the walk and take a look at the route on OS maps. It’s just under 25 miles so ideally I think it would be best to do this walk over two days. The route takes you back in close to the city center so you could easily split it about half-way.

Length: 23-25 miles

Time: 2 days

The Best Walks Outside York City Center

River Derwent Loop: Kexby to Stamford Bridge

This fantastic loop between Kexby and Stamford Bridge is just a short drive from York city center. You can park off the A1079 in Kexby or at the free car park in Stamford Bridge—I chose to park in Kexby. Follow the River Derwent up to Stamford Bridge, where there are a few cafes and shops if you want a break. Then walk through town to cross the River Derwent viaduct near the Old Station Club, follow the footpath briefly along the A166, before following Scoreby Lane all the way back to Scoreby Wood and Kexby. This is a fantastic half-day walk, and perfect for exploring the quiet countryside around York! (I did a reverse of this itinerary from iTravel York.)

Length: 8 miles

Time: 3.5-4 hours

Skipwith Common

Another walk that’s just outside of York is at Skipwith Common Nature Reserve. Much of the reserve is boggy, and I visited on a foggy day so it did feel a bit eerie. Park at the King Rudding Lane car park, and follow the yellow trail through the reserve, around the Bomb Bays Loops, and to parking near Sandy Lane. From there, head to Skipwith village, through the village, and take a footpath to the left just before you reach the church. Follow it through several fields until you reach the woods of the reserve, and turn left, following it in a loop back to the parking area. (You can find more information on the yellow loop here.)

Length: 5 miles

Time: 2-2.5 hours

Kirkham Priory in the Howardian Hills

The Howardian Hills is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) just outside of York, on the edge of the North York Moors National Park. One of my favorite walks outside of York is from Kirkham Priory and along the River Derwent in the Howardian Hills. This is about a 30-minute drive from York, so it’s not close to the city center. But it’s a beautiful area to explore and takes in some great views over the Vale of York.

Length: 5 miles

Time:2.5 hours

Thixendale in the Yorkshire Wolds

Of all the walks in this post, this is the furthest away from York (about a 30- to 35-minute drive). The Yorkshire Wolds has to be one of the best-kept secrets in all of Yorkshire. This beautiful, rural area has so many wonderful opportunities for hiking—yet always seems quiet and peaceful, as if no one knows about it! One of my favorite walks in the Wolds is the circular loop starting in Thixendale, hiking to Kirby Underdale and back. The route takes you through farmland, fields, and sloping dales. If you haven’t been to the Yorkshire Wolds yet, it’s time to put it on your list.

Length: 8 miles

Time: 4 hours

Planning Your Trip

These walks are some of the best local walks for people who live in York, but can also be done for anyone visiting the city. The nearest airport to York is Leeds-Bradford, although Manchester Airpot is usually the best for international flights. I use Skyscanner to search for flights. If you’re arriving by train, I always use Trainline to book my tickets. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. I recommend using the OS Maps App for these walks.

Planning on staying overnight in York? I’d recommend the following places:

Budget: Safestay York or The Fort Boutique Hostel
Mid-range: Hotel Indigo or Galtres Lodge
Luxury: The Grand

You can search for hostels in York here, and check out hotels in York here!

Booking.com

Looking for a tour in York? Check out these options!

There are so many fantastic walks in the city of York and the surrounding area. If you’re visiting the city center, you can do all of these without using a car! I’ve done lots of these walks from my own front door and it’s been great to explore the local area. I hope this inspires you to get outside and maybe see some new places in York!

Have you done any of these walks in or around York before? Any others you would recommend?!

You might also like my posts:

The Best Car-Free Walks From York

18 Hidden Gems to See in York

York to Bishopthorpe: A Perfect Short Walk From York

The Best Snickelways in York

A Complete Guide to the Best Instagram Spots in York

The Best Hikes in the North York Moors

The BEST Places to Visit in the Yorkshire Dales

All of my York posts!

Like this post? Pin it for later!