Festival Walks
York Walking Festival - Walks
The following walks took place during the York Walking Festival (2021). Walk as a group with a walk leader, often with interesting local information as you go.
The second line of each walk will tell you the time and location it starts and then where it finishes. If the walk goes back to the beginning, it will just say ‘Return’.
See also York Environment Week events.
- Saturday 18 September
- Sunday 19 September
- Monday 20 September
- Tuesday 21 September
- Wednesday 22 September
- Thursday 23 September
- Friday 24 September
- Saturday 25 September
- Sunday 26 September
More details, such as where to meet, will appear here nearer the time.
Saturday 18 September
White Horse Explorer Walk
11.00am – Sutton Bank National Park Visitor Centre (near toilet block) ➔ Return.
A walk around Sutton Bank, The White Horse & Gormire Lake. No dogs allowed.
Duration: 5 miles, 3 hours.
Group: Walx York
Booking: Book a place Use code 1FREEWALX to reduce £5 charge to £0
Clifton Ings Wildlife Corridor Walk
10.00am – Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride play area entrance ➔ Homestead Park
A wildlife walk through Rawcliffe & Clifton Ings. Learn more about the green corridors conservation project.
Group: St Nicks Environment Centre
3 miles; 3 hours
No booking needed; No dogs
More information about the walk
Booking: Book the White Horse Explorer walk - using the code "1FREEWALX".
Sunday 19 September
Fulford Ings Wildlife Corridor Walk
10am – Fulford Community Orchard at York Designer Outlet ➔ Blue Bridge by New Walk.
A wildlife walk through Naburn Marsh & Fulford Ings.
Duration: 3 miles; 3 hours
Group: St Nicks Environment Centre
Booking: No booking needed; No dogs
Walk the Solar System
11am – Askham Bar Park & Ride (front of building) ➔ Return
Duration: 6 miles; 2 hours
Walking along the solar system trail, learning about science, railway history & local wildlife
Group: York Greenways
Booking: No booking required; Dogs allowed
Listed Monuments and their makers
2.00pm - York Cemetery (Harriet Centre, Cemetery Road) ➔ Return.
A walk looking at listed monuments & learning about the people who made them. No dogs allowed.
Duration: 1.5 miles, 1.5 to 2 hours.
Group: Friends of York Cemetery.
Booking: Donation £5 (includes drink & biscuits). No booking needed.
York’s Green Spaces – Eastern York
10.00am - The Edible York Garden, Peaseholme Green (opposite The Black Swan pub) ➔ Return.
A walk through a variety of green spaces in eastern York including Heworth Holme, St Nicks and Hull Road Park. No dogs allowed.
Duration: 8 to 9 miles, 3 to 3.5 hours.
Group: York Public Transport Walks.
Booking: Register for York Green Spaces.
York Racecourse dog walk
Registration 10.15am, Walk 11.00am - York Racecourse Entrance off Knavesmire Road.
A fun walk for dogs and their owners plus music, refreshments, stalls in aid of charity. Dogs welcome, but must be kept on leads.
Duration: 1 mile, 45 minutes.
Group: Keep your Pet.
Booking: Booking not required. £5 entry per group.
Poppleton Riverside Ramble
11.00am - The War Memorial, Main Street, Nether Poppleton ➔ Return.
A walk beside the River Ouse and back through country lanes and fields. No children or dogs allowed.
Duration: 6.3 miles, 1.5 to 2 hours.
Group: York HF Rambling Group.
Booking: To book a place email: yorkrambling@gmail.com.
Nordic Walking Taster (Rowntree Park)
10.30am Rowntree Park, below the Reading Café ➔ Return.
An introduction to Nordic Walking, a beneficial & friendly form of exercise. No dogs allowed.
Duration: 0.1 miles; 30 minutes.
Group: Walx York.
Booking: Book a place
Tang Hall and Osbaldwick Beck Wildlife Corridor Walk
2pm – St Nicks Environment Centre ➔ Foss Islands Road
A wildlife walk through Tang Hall & beside Osbaldwick Beck
Duration: 3 miles; 3 hours
Group: St Nicks Environment Centre
No booking needed; No dogs
Riverside walk
For mums, dads, expectant mums and babies
10.00am - meet on the Fulford side of Millennium Bridge.
A weekly walk for parents with babies
Duration: 1.5 miles; 40 minutes
Group: Ready Steady Mums
Booking: No booking needed; Dogs are welcome
Booking: Book the Rowntree Park Nordic Walking Taster.
Monday 20 September
York’s Green Spaces - Western York
10.00am - The Edible York Garden, Peaseholme Green (opposite The Black Swan pub) ➔ Return.
A walk through a variety of green spaces in Western York including Knavesmire Wood, Little Hob Moor and The Railway Pond. No dogs allowed.
Duration: 8 to 9 miles, 3 to 3.5 hours.
Group: Public Transport Walks.
Booking: Register for York Green Spaces.
Health Walk - Rawcliffe Bar Fast walk
Registration 10.45am, Start 11.00am - Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride site, Country Park Office (at back of toilet block) ➔ Return.
A countryside walk in the vicinity of Rawcliffe Bar Country Park. Dogs welcome, but must be kept on leads.
Duration: 4 miles, 1.5 hours.
Group: York Health Walks.
Booking: No booking needed.
Rawcliffe Bar Moderate Walk
Registration 10.15am Start 10.30am Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride site, Country Park Office (at back of toilet block) ➔ Return.
A countryside walk in the vicinity of Rawcliffe Bar Country Park. Dogs welcome, but must be kept on leads.
Duration: 4 miles, 1.5 hours.
Group: York Health Walks.
Booking: No booking required
Baby and Toddler Walk (Skipwith Common)
10am – Skipwith Common Car Park, King Rudding Lane, YO19 6 QL è Return
A walk through the beautiful Skipwith Common, a nationally important area of heathland, pools & woodland. Pushchair friendly. Dogs welcome.
Duration: 2 miles, 2 hours including a picnic break.
Group: Blaze Trails
Booking: email blazetrailsnorthyorks@gmail.com or Instagram @the_walkingmum to book a place.
Booking: No booking needed.
Tuesday 21 September
York Community Woodland walk
10.00am - Woodland notice board just south of junction of Northfield Lane and Moor Lane, near Knapton ➔ Return.
A walk around the new community woodland site, learning about local wildlife, plans for the new wood & tackling climate change. Dogs welcome, but must be kept on leads.
Duration: 2 miles, 1.5 hours.
Group: City of York Council.
Booking: Booking: Fully booked
Health Walk - Dunnington
10.30am - outside The Cross Keys Pub, Common Road, Dunnington YO19 5NG ➔ Return.
A walk through the countryside in the vicinity of Dunnington. Dogs welcome, but must be kept on leads.
Duration: 4 miles, 1.5 hours.
Group: York Health Walks.
Booking: No booking required
Booking: No booking needed.
Wednesday 22 September
Bishopthorpe to Acaster Malbis Trail
10am – Ferry Lane, Bishopthorpe è Return
A riverside walk to Acaster Malbis and back with lovely views, history, boats & wildlife. Dogs allowed.
Duration: 4.5 miles; 1 hour, 45 minutes
Group: Over The Hill Walking Group
Booking: Email Joanstoney989@btinternet.com or call 01904 760327 to book a place.
Health Walk - City Centre
2.00pm - York Art Gallery, Exhibition Square.
A short easy walk exploring the area near to York Art Gallery. Dogs welcome, but must be kept on leads.
Duration: 1 mile, 30 minutes.
Group: York Health Walks.
Booking: No booking needed.
Nordic Walking Taster (Rawcliffe Bar)
1.00pm - Rawcliffe Bar Country Park, disabled parking area behind Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride site toilet block ➔ Return.
An introduction to Nordic Walking, a beneficial and friendly form of exercise. No dogs allowed.
Duration: 0.1 miles, 30 minutes.
Group: Walx York.
Booking: Book a place
Booking: Book the Rawcliffe Bar Nordic Walking Taster.
Thursday 23 September
York Cemetery - Gardens, Trees and Plants
2.00pm - York Cemetery, Harriet Centre, Cemetery Road ➔ Return.
A walk through the cemetery viewing the gardens, ornamental trees, and plants for wildlife in this eco-friendly environment. No dogs allowed.
Duration: 1.5 miles, 1.5 to 2 hours.
Group: Friends of York Cemetery
Booking: £5 donation and ticket required. Tickets can be bought at the Cemetery Office, open Monday to Friday from 1.00pm to 4.00pm. Call 01904 610578 for more information.
York Cemetery - History through the eyes of York Cemetery
York Cemetery, Harriet Centre, Cemetery Road
This guided walk will give you a snapshot of local, national and international history as we hear about Victorian burials; York's other cholera burial ground; Zeppelin and Baedeker Raids on York; York's Crimean, WWI & WWII Military Heroes; and more. No dogs allowed.
Duration: 1.5 miles, 2 hours.
Group: Friends of York Cemetery.
Booking: £5 donation and ticket required. Tickets can be bought at the Cemetery Office, open Monday to Friday from 1.00pm to 4.00pm. Call 01904 610578 for more information.
Health Walk - New Earswick
10.30am - New Earswick Folk Hall, Hawthorn Terrace, New Earswick, YO32 4AQ ➔ Return.
A healthy walk in the countryside around New Earswick. Dogs welcome, but must be kept on leads.
Duration: 4 miles, 1.5 hours.
Group: York Health Walks.
Booking: No booking needed.
Rowntree Walk – family-friendly history walk
10:00am - Yearsley Swimming Pool, Haley’s Terrace (near Nestle Chocolate Factory)
A walk to learn more about the Rowntree family, buildings, society & history.
Duration: 1.5 miles, 45 minutes
Group: Rowntree Society York Family Walks
Booking: Book now
Rowntree Walk – family-friendly history walk
11.15am - New Earswick Folk Hall, Hawthorn Terrace, New Earswick
A walk to learn more about the Rowntree family, buildings, society & history.
Duration: 1.5 miles, 45 minutes
New Earswick Group: Rowntree Society York Family Walks
Booking: Book a place
Health Walk – Tang Hall
2.00pm - The Centre@Burnholme, Mossdale Avenue, Tang Hall, YO31 OHA ➔ Return.
A walk in scenic areas in the vicinity of Tang Hall. Dogs welcome, but must be kept on leads.
Duration: 2 miles, 1 hour.
Group: York Health Walks.
Booking: No booking needed.
Nordic Walking Taster (West Bank Park)
10.00am - West Bank Park, near café/toilet block ➔ Return.
An introduction to Nordic Walking, a beneficial & friendly form of exercise. No dogs allowed.
Duration: 0.1 miles, 30 minutes.
Group: Walx York.
Booking: Book a place
Baby and Toddler Walk (Overton to York)
10.30am – Stripe Lane between Skelton & Overton (Meet at blue National Cycle Network signs, layby just beyond) è York centre
A scenic walk into York passing through Clifton & Rawcliffe Ings, nationally important floodplain meadows. Pushchair friendly. Dogs welcome
Duration: 3 miles, 1.5 hours (or return by bus to Skelton)
Group: Blaze Trails
Booking: email blazetrailsnorthyorks@gmail.com or Instagram @the_walkingmum to book a place.
Booking: Book the West Bank Park Nordic Walking Taster.
Friday 24 September
Health Walk - Foxwood
10.45am - Meet outside Foxwood Community Centre, Cranfield Place, Foxwood, York YO23 3HY ➔ Return.
A walk through scenic areas in the vicinity of Foxwood. Dogs welcome, but must be kept on leads.
Duration: 2 miles, 1 hour.
Group: York Health Walks.
Booking: No booking needed.
Nordic Walking - Full Lesson (Rawcliffe)
10.30am - Rawcliffe Bar Country Park, disabled parking area behind toilet block ➔ Return.
A longer introduction to Nordic Walking, a beneficial & friendly form of exercise. No dogs allowed.
Duration: Under 1 mile; 90 minutes.
Group: Walx York.
Booking: Book a place (pay £25)
Booking: Book the Nordic Walking full session.
Saturday 25 September
York Community Woodland walk
10.00am - Gated entrance to flower meadow just south of junction of Northfield Lane and Moor Lane, near to Knapton ➔ Return.
A walk around the new community woodland site, learning about local wildlife, plans for the new wood and tackling climate change. Dogs welcome, but must be kept on leads.
Duration: 2 miles, 1.5 hours.
Group: City of York Council.
Booking: Fully booked
Yorkshire Countryside
For people with walking or visual disabilities.
10.00am - Meet at York Open Country Minibus at York Railway Station. Return 4.00pm.
A full day out in the Yorkshire countryside. No dogs allowed.
Duration: Walk length/time - not applicable.
Group: Open Country.
Booking: To book a place call Open Country on telephone: 01423 507227, or email: info@opencountry.org.uk.
Nunnington and the River Rye Explorer Walk
11.00am – Nunnington Hall Car Park entrance, Nunnington ➔ Return.
A walk beside the River Rye, passing through Nunnington, and up onto Caukley's Bank. No dogs allowed.
Duration: 5 miles, 3 hours.
Group: Walx York.
Booking: Book a place. Use code 1FREEWALX to reduce £5 charge to £0
Booking: Book the Nunnington and The River Rye walk, using code "1FREEWALX".
Sunday 26 September
Heslington Tilmire Ramble
1.30pm - Campus North Car Park, University of York, off University Road, YO10 3HP ➔ Return.
A gentle walk through farmland and green spaces around York, taking in a SSSI nature reserve. Dogs welcome, but must be kept on leads.
Duration: 8 miles, 3.5 hours.
Group: Get Your Boots On (GYBO).
Booking: Book a place at www.gybo.org.uk or email: info@gybo.org.uk.
Nordic Walk at The Knavesmire
10.00am - The Knavesmire, York Racecourse ➔ Return.
An introduction to Nordic Walking and making the most of York’s open spaces at the Knavesmire and along the beautiful banks of the River Ouse. No dogs allowed.
Duration: 2.5 - 3 miles; 1.5 to 2 hours.
Group: Nordic Strides.
Booking: To book a place email: info@nordicstrides.co.uk, or call: 07912 868823.
