Short Walks in Nidderdale

Short walks around Pateley Bridge and Nidderdale AONB

Do you want a short and easy walk in Pateley Bridge or Nidderdale?

Yes? Then welcome and hello! This is our page dedicated to short and easy family walks found in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

You might be surprised to see walks that feature waterfalls, ruins, peaks, playparks and more because our short walks pack a lot of punch for mini wanders! Some will be pushchair friendly, some will need a carrier, some are great for young explorers some are great for older kids who just fancy a short walk (ok….. the older kids ALWAYS fancy a short walk!)

And for the grown ups… I can guarantee that at least some feature a pub!

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.

Nidd gorge woodland the steps

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

Looking out to views across Nidderdale
Coldstones Cut and the quarry

Coldstones Cut and the Toft Gate Lime Kiln

⭐ Little Monkeys

📍 Greenhow Hill, near Pateley Bridge

🥾🚘👶/🎒✨🧒🌳🐶

📏 1-2 miles

This is an explore rather than a walk (that’ll help with the whinge factor!) It takes in the Coldstones Cut, which is a massive art installation overlooking a working quarry (aka Digger Heaven) and also you’ll see the super cool ruins of a Victorian Lime Kiln!

The ropoe swing over the River Nidd Knaresborough

Knaresborough Circular

📍 Knaresborough, near Harrogate North Yorkshire

⭐ Little Monkeys

📏 Under 1 mile

💦🌳👶🥾✨🚌🐶

This little wander around the River Nidd in Knaresborough is the perfect addition to a day out in the historic town. With splash spots and some cool ruins to explore too, it’s a must do if you’re headed to Knaresborough for the day!

Pateley Bridge Riverside

⭐ Little Monkeys

📍 Pateley Bridge, Nidderdale (Harrogate)

🚘👶🥾✨🦆🌳🧒🚌🐶

📏 Circular walk, 1-2 miles

This walk is not only pushchair friendly and short (so perfect for the littlest of legs), but it has a park and if you’re lucky, an ice cream van! Plus, Pateley Bridge is home to the Oldest Sweet Shop in the WORLD! You’ve gotta be sold right?!

One of the giant stick dens in Nidd Gorge

Nidd Gorge

⭐⭐ Little Adventurers

📍 Between Knaresborough and Ripon, North Yorkshire

🥾🎒🚘💦🌳🐶🚌

📏 Less than 2 miles

The most woodlandy woodland that ever woodlanded!

Nidd Gorge is another place owned by the Woodland Trust and is packed full of woodland wonder, stick dens, places to splash and loads more!

Fishpond Wood pond in Bewerley

Fishpond Wood and Ice House, Bewerley

⭐⭐ Little Adventurers

🥾🚘🎒🦆✨🧒🌳

This walk is short, sweet and PACKED full of cool stuff to explore. A 200 year old Ice House, hungry ducks, topped off with a park! Perfect for little legs!

River Nidd waterfall in Nidderdale

River Nidd Waterfalls

⭐ Little Monkeys

📍 Lofthouse, Nidderdale

💦🎒🌳🥾🐶

Located in Lofthouse, Upper Nidderdale, this hidden gem is spectacular in the winter and a perfect picnic and paddle spot in the Summer. It is not so much a walk as an amble from the car park, so GREAT for the littlest of monkeys!

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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