Otley and Washburn Valley Walks

All our family friendly walks in and around Otley and the surrounding area

Are you looking for walks in and around Otley?

Well you have landed in the right place!

The bustling Market Town of Otley straddles the River Wharfe and the boundary between West and North Yorkshire. A stone’s throw from the stunning Washburn Valley and the reservoirs of Lindley Wood, Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross, it also boasts the breath-taking Chevin Forest which is packed full of geological wow-factor and striking views.

Have I got you tempted?

You’ll find walks with ruins, woodland, parks, and nature reserves, both pushchair friendly and more!

Walk Difficulty Ratings

All of our tried and tested kid friendly walks have been divided into 3 categories dependant on difficulty, length and terrain:

⭐ Little Monkeys:

Walks suitable for younger children. Shorter length walks with occasional pushchair access.

⭐⭐ Little Adventurers:

Walks suitable for pre-schoolers. Medium length/ difficulty walks.

⭐⭐⭐ Superstar Hikers:

Walks suitable for older children. Longer length walks with some difficult terrain.

Climbing on the trees in the Chevin

Walks at a Glimpse

Here is our quick look key so you can identify what each walk has without taking too long!

👶 Suitable for Pushchairs

🎒 Suitable for Carriers

🚘 Car Park/ On Street Parking

🚌 Public Transport Links

🐶 Dog Friendly

🥾 Sturdy Footwear or Wellies

🧒 A park or play area

🦆 Ducks to Feed

💦 Water play/ paddle/ swim

✨ Cool history or geology

👻 Legendary Story

🌳 Walking Games

The Otley chevin views across the valley
The epic stick den on the Otley Chevin

The Chevin Forest Park

⭐⭐ Little Adventurers

📍 Otley

🚘👶/🎒🥾💦✨🌳🐶

There is so much hidden in Otley Chevin Forest Park, but this route packs in an Iron Age Settlement, many, many stick dens, waterfalls to splash in and massive rocks to climb on! There is a pushchairable (definitely a word) option too.

The Otley Chevin Swings

The Chevin Rope Swings

📍 Otley, West Yorkshire

🚘🎒🥾✨🌳🐶

📏 1-2 miles

This walk is full on nature’s playground stuff!

With massive rocks to scramble up, rope swings hanging from the trees, a surprise view and if you’re lucky, an ice cream van too! This walk is always top of my two’s list!

Otley Gallows Hill nature reserve information sign

Gallows Hill Nature Reserve

📍 Central Otley, West Yorkshire

⭐ Little Monkeys

🚘👶🦆🌳🚌🐶

📏 less than 2 miles

Located in Otley, this is a top little wander, which you can connect up with a trip to the park and feed the ducks if you fancy making it a bit longer…. and there’s ice cream too!

Almscliffe Crag near Otley

Almscliffe Crag

⭐ Little Monkeys

🎒🚘🌳🥾🚌🐶

📍 North Rigton, Near Harrogate

📏 less than 2 miles linear

It’s a rock scrambler’s paradise on Almscliffe Crag, with a trig bolt to boot! Hours can be spent clambering on rocks here…. speaking from experience there….

Swinsty Reservoir

⭐⭐ Little Adventurers

📍 Washburn Valley, North Yorkshire, near Harrogate

🥾🚘💦👶/🎒🌳🚌🐶

📏 4 miles

This is an excellent little wander around the smallest of the Washburn Reservoirs! Since 2022 the embankment has reopened so the circular route is good to go again!

The ruins of Dob Park hunting lodge

Dob Park Lodge, Otley

📍 Just outside North Otley, North Yorkshire

⭐⭐⭐ Superstar Hikers

🚘🎒🥾💦🚜✨🌳🐶

📏 4 miles

Situated just outside Otley, and overlooking the River Washburn, the remains of this early 17th Century hunting lodge are a pretty impressive find!

Fewston Reservoir

⭐⭐ Little Adventurers

📍 Washburn Valley, near Otley

💦🥾👶🌳🚌🐶

📏 4.5 miles

A top reservoir walk that starts and ends with an Ice Cream. And it officially has to be two ice creams (one at the start one at the end!!) It’s a borderline 2-3 star walk, the terrain is easy, so if you take your time, little legs could handle it despite the distance.

Thruscross Reservoir

📍 Washburn Valley, near Otley/ Harrogate/ Pateley Bridge

⭐⭐⭐ Superstar Hikers

🚘🥾✨👻💦 🚌🐶

📏 6 miles

Thruscross is the highest of the Washburn Reservoirs and is an awesome circular route! In dry weather, you may even see the remains of the submerged village of West End.

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

Follow us for up to date Outdoors Adventures!

We live and BREATHE the Yorkshire Dales outdoors life!

Come follow our journey over on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, where you’ll find up to date walk info, breaking news on Yorkshire Events, new Yorkshire Dales wild swim spots, climbing, caves and more!

Follow us on Social Media for all the up to date info: @thereluctantexplorers