Standing looking over the River Nidd at Pateley Bridge

Pateley Bridge Riverside Walk

Pateley Bridge is a perfect place to spend a day!

And this super short pushchair and toddler friendly circular walk will be a super addition to your day too!

Have you ever visited Pateley Bridge?

Located in the beautiful Nidderdale (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), Pateley Bridge is a picturesque market town with a great kid friendly vibe! Oh and did I mention that this town is the home of the Oldest Sweet Shop in the WORLD?! Well I HAVE NOW!

This walk starts and ends at the park and is the perfect little wander for the very young explorers who are just learning to find their feet. It’s definitely a great addition to a family day out in Pateley Bridge. Check out what else the area has to offer at the bottom of the page!

What are the walk details for Pateley Bridge Riverside?

Distance: less than 1km, suitable for the littlest of legs!

Terrain: Pushchair friendly paths (Do note there are some narrow parts, so single buggies only - there is one large and wide kissing gate to navigate). Easy underfoot. Little to no ascent.

Parking: Pateley Bridge has several car parks, we used the one directly opposite the park on Street Lane, next to the bridge.

Public Transport: Pateley Bridge is services by regular bus services. Check out the Dales Bus website for timetable details.

Dog Friendly? Yes

Nearest Train Station: N/A

Location: Pateley Bridge, Nidderdale, Harrogate.

Map: Nidderdale 298 Explorer OS Map

What 3 Words: inflamed.rudder.rejects

Toilets/ Baby Change: Public Toilets are located at the park in Pateley Bridge

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Pateley Bridge

Balancing on the wall alongside the river

How to walk the Pateley Bridge Riverside circular…

Directions

  1. Beginning at the Pateley Bridge play park, take the path the runs directly alongside the River Nidd. It will take you towards the Caravan Park, and eventually to a footbridge on your right. You will be walking with the river on your right and your back to the park.

  2. You will pass the weir on the river, and then shortly after a footbridge appears to your right, crossing the river. Here, there is a large and wide kissing gate to navigate. Turn right and cross the bridge.

  3. On the other side, turn right and then return along the other side of the river, keeping the river to your right again. There is a point where you can choose either to walk through a group of houses (which offers a wider path back) or the narrower option, which follows the river more closely.

  4. Both paths will return you to Pateley Bridge, you need to head right back across the bridge and back to the play area!

  5. Easy! And maybe, if you’re lucky, the ice cream van might be there! And why not take the opportunity to explore more of Nidderdale by checking out our Visit with Kids guide?

Looking out at the water of the River Nidd

What’s cool for kids on this walk?

🍦 Ice Cream! And a PARK! Who doesn’t love a walk that starts and ends in the park with ice cream!

✨ We wholeheartedly recommend Studfold Fairy Trail (which is up the road in Lofthouse - running from Easter to the end of the Summer Season), How Stean Gorge (which is right next to Studfold Fairy Trail) and Birchfield Ice Cream Farm (which is down the road in Summerbridge). Or maybe take a little trip up to Brimham Rocks, which is just outside Summerbridge too! Lots to do in this neck of the woods and we LOVE it!

🥾 Not content with just one walk?! Check out all of our Nidderdale Walks here!

🌳 This is a super short walk, but why not make your own duck food and see if you can spot some ducks to feed as well!

Helpful Information!

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

The park at Pateley Bridge
The ruins of St Mary's Church in Pateley Bridge

Where else can I walk in the area?

Have you landed on this page, but want something a little bit more challenging in the walk department?

We have so many family friendly walks in and around the Nidderdale area to suit all sorts of walking desires!

We have walks with waterfalls, around reservoirs, to ruins, or even to find some teeth stuck in a bridge (true story!)

But if you want a more challenging walk that also starts and ends in the centre of Pateley Bridge, then why not check out our walk to St Mary’s Church ruins?

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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