Walk of the Month: Skipton Woods

We like to help you explore the area whilst you’re staying with us. For those of you that can get out on foot, we hope our monthly walks help give you a little inspiration whether you visit us weekly, monthly or just once a year.

For the month of December, discover the natural oasis in the heart of Skipton – an ancient, beautiful woodland that gave rise to a castle!

Where to wander this month: Skipton Castle Woods 

The details: 

River valley route: This family friendly stroll is 1 mile and takes approximately 1 hour.

Upper paths extension: Extend the river valley route by exploring the upper level paths.

Earl of Thanet Trail: An enjoyable and sometimes strenuous loop walk taking in the industrial history of the woods. This loop is 2.5 miles and takes approx. 2 hours.

Terrain: A mixture of mostly wide surfaced paths, some narrow sections, some uneven terrain, bridges/steps/steep slopes depending on which route is taken, please consult the map before starting.

Important info:  Please take care as the woodland sections can be muddy after rainfall.  Remember to prepare for all weather conditions.

The route: There are multiple starting points however the main starting point can be found near the castle itself, which is a 46 minute drive from Riverside. A large car park can be found behind the nearby Town Hall, along with toilets and refreshment options.

Grab your walking boots and view the route here.

Walk maps for this walk and many others can be found in our park reception and you can view all of our other walk recommendations here.

Let us know if you’ve enjoyed the route and share your snaps on our social media pages so others can be inspired.