Connect Skipton with Slow Ways
We’re creating a network of walking routes that connect all of Britain’s towns, cities and national parks
more walks and reviews are needed to fully connect Skipton to the verified network. Can you give a hike and help?
Give a hike!Skipton
North Yorkshire
Slow Ways linking Skipton and Cross Hills, Earby, Gargrave, Grassington, Ilkley, Silsden
England / North Yorkshire / Skipton
Skipton’s six Slow Ways are 54% checked
Help connect Skipton
Many Slow Ways have several route options. Some will be better than others, or good for different reasons.
Our goal is for each Slow Way to have at least one route that is verified and surveyed. To be verified – and get its snail badge – a route needs at least three positive reviews.
Give a hike and help get a for every one of Skipton’s Slow Ways.
Walk to Skipton from further afield
Slow Way | Route | To do | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Earby—Skipton
|
Earski one |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 12km/8mi | Ascent 267m | Descent 240m | ||
Earby—Skipton
|
Earski two |
|
4 X |
|
Review me | Distance 12km/8mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Gargrave—Skipton
|
Garski one |
|
|
U U |
|
Double check | Distance 8km/5mi | Ascent 64m | Descent 68m | |
Gargrave—Skipton
|
Garski two |
|
2 X |
|
Enjoy me | Distance 9km/5mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Skipton—Cross Hills
|
Skicro one |
|
|
U U |
|
Double check | Distance 9km/5mi | Ascent 83m | Descent 80m | |
Skipton—Cross Hills
|
Skicro two |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 9km/5mi | Ascent 61m | Descent 61m | ||
Skipton—Cross Hills
|
Skicro three |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 9km/5mi | Ascent - | Descent - | ||
Skipton—Grassington
|
Skigra one |
|
U U |
|
Pioneer me | Distance 20km/13mi | Ascent 656m | Descent 561m | ||
Skipton—Grassington
|
Skigra two |
|
U U |
|
Pioneer me | Distance 23km/14mi | Ascent 488m | Descent 395m | ||
Skipton—Ilkley
|
Skiilk one |
|
U U |
|
Review me | Distance 16km/10mi | Ascent 295m | Descent 305m | ||
Skipton—Ilkley
|
Skiilk two |
|
U U |
|
Verify me | Distance 17km/10mi | Ascent 489m | Descent 500m | ||
Skipton—Silsden
|
Skisil one |
|
|
4 X |
|
Double check | Distance 9km/5mi | Ascent 286m | Descent 283m | |
Skipton—Silsden
|
Skisil two |
|
4 X |
|
Review me | Distance 9km/6mi | Ascent - | Descent - |
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Skipton and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
Collective progress
56% of Skipton’s six route options are drawn, reviewed, surveyed and/or verified
13/13
11/13
4/13
1/13
6 people have contributed to Skipton’s Slow Ways
3 people have pledged to walk and review a route
5 people have surveyed a route in Skipton
117km out of 160km have been walked and reviewed
158km of reviews have been shared in Skipton
Latest Updates
The biggest challenge was the amount of water on some sections, particularly where the line goes through a cutting in the middle of the Elslack to Carleton section. There was one section along a concrete road, and another section where it was necessary to cross a couple of fields, but mostly the route is extremely easy to navigate. Unfortunately, the viaduct over the River Aire has been removed, so it was necessary to walk a bit of road to Carleton, then cross some fields to a subway under the busy A629. There are lots of facilities at either end of the route, and pubs at Elslack and at Carleton, but nothing in the middle section....
Mary Oz
Instead of crossing the swing bridge, continue along the towpath until the next bridge, then turn right alongside the grounds of Kildwick church, right again at the Parish Rooms, currently a highly recommended cafe, to join the road, then follow the route as published...
Andrew Simmons
Once the road is reached, turn right to follow the lane, cross over the River Aire, then turn left to follow it for a short distance, before crossing the railway line. From here, turn left to follow a twisty road for about half a mile, which has no footpath....
Andrew Simmons
This easy to follow route along the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath, is largely level and in good condition underfoot in most places. It can also be walked one-way as there are bus and train connections between Gargrave and Skipton. I would echo comments of other reviewers about the traffic noise....
Andrew Simmons
It is not well maintained in places and finding the correct route can be awkward in places. Walking the road section is not pleasant as it has poor sight lines, meaning traffic cannot see you easily. Overall, the route 'Garski two', which follows the canal towpath is much more enjoyable....
Andrew Simmons
This is a very pleasant walk on which you will encounter gates, kissing gates, steps, steep climbs, stepping stones, a ford and uneven stony ground. It was one of the muddiest parts and included a very narrow kissing gate, steps, steep climbs (slippy), stepping stones, and a ford. Addingham was a pleasant village and the walk along the Dales Way that followed was likewise, especially the section through Low Mill village....
Stearsb
I took pictures but the ones found in Mary Oz's review were better so I suggest you check those out....
Stearsb
The walk from Skipton started along a town road, reputedly of Roman origins, and featured the lovely Old Toll House, which is Grade II listed. We reached a tarmacked farm road which went right past the wind turbine, and then continued as a country road. After a couple of fields and a paddock (containing horses and surrounded by an electric fence), we had a short section of road, then joined the Millennium Way, along a doubly fenced field edge next to a stream....
Mary Oz
*This field looked as if it may contain crops in the future which left me wondering how reliable this Right of Way will be. I reached a tarmacked farm road which went right past the wind turbine. The public footpath past the house named, ahem, Cocklick Laithe, a little further on, looked private and a dog came running out barking at my heels, and I was relieved to reach the gate into the next field. Just after this you need to use a gate onto a path between a fence and a hedge, then a small bridge and a wooden stile. The footpath at Bracken Hill Farm also looked private, but there was a stile which led into a steeply descending field, with nice views into Silsden....
Mary Oz
Mary Oz added Skicro three, a new walk from Skipton to Cross Hills
Walk this routeHeading along the road south from Skipton bus station, access to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath is gained immediately after crossing the canal. (An alternative to this, is to leave the bus station opposite the road end, over a footbridge over the canal, where you can then gain access to the towpath.) The route follows the towpath for four miles, all the way to Kildwick....
Mary Oz
This route is almost entirely canal towpath, with a good surface of compacted gravel....
Mary Oz
- the footpath between the industrial estate and Carleton is closed between 25/10/21 and April 2022, or December 2021 to April 2022 depending on which sign you believe....
Carol
There's a lack of signage, and it's quite difficult to follow at times, there's a busy road to cross as you near Skipton and then a short stretch along another busy road (no walkable verge). After you leave that first field, keep an eye out for a large stile on your right. After you go under the railway line, the ordnance survey map shows the footpath the other side of the wall at the top, but don't cross the wall, follow the sign (hooray there is one here!) and you will end up in the right place....
Carol
joeldalby added Skicro two, a new walk from Skipton to Cross Hills
Walk this routeI'd downloaded the .gpx file into OS maps and the live positioning was useful in a couple of areas....
I thoroughly recommend this walk and plan to repeat it, however, you do need to be agile to get over some of the stiles and be competent following a map/gps device. I did write a more descriptive review but the page timed me out and deleted it......
Carol
Neil Summersgill added Skisil one, a new walk from Skipton to Silsden
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Skicro one, a new walk from Skipton to Cross Hills
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Skigra one, a new walk from Skipton to Grassington
Walk this routeSlow Ways added Skigra two, a new walk from Skipton to Grassington
Walk this routeSkipton’s Slow Ways starting point
Grid ref
SD9891051470
Lat / Lon
53.95933° / -2.01810°
Easting / Northing
398,910E / 451,470N
what3words
Fancy stretching your legs a bit more?
If you’ve polished off all of the routes between Skipton and its neighbours, how about walking its whole web?
This includes the great ring of routes that join its neighbours to each other!
Facilities
Users have reported that the following facilities can be found within 1km of Skipton's meeting point
Public toilet
Wheelchair accessible toilet
Supermarket or convenience shop
Restaurant, cafe or pub
Accommodation
Accommodation for under £50 a night
Campsite
Bothy
Free wifi
Mobility scooter hire
Off-road wheelchair hire
Disabled Parking
Train station
Bus stop
Ferry
Official ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town
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