Five family-friendly walks in North Yorkshire
Walks for little legs
- Stories & Inspiration
- Five Family Friendly Walks In North Yorkshire
Find a walk you can all enjoy
If you and your family love being outdoors enjoying fresh air and exercise, you can find the perfect family-friendly walks in North Yorkshire. Whether you are looking for short walks suitable for little legs, or longer walks for older kids who love hiking, the county has lots of great walks to choose from.
Enjoy a reservoir or riverside walk or take in sweeping countryside and coastal views and enjoy a picnic along the way on sunny days. Look for nature, pick up leaves and pinecones or look for fossils on a beach walk.
Discover outdoor adventure with these five walks for all the family.
The Seven Bridges Valley Walk
Little ones can race each other to the bridges along The Seven Bridges Valley Walk that starts by the lake in the Studley Royal Deer Park at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden. This family-friendly walk takes you across the five cute arched stone bridges which the walk takes its name from and don't worry, you haven’t missed any – there are only five remaining.
The walk then takes you through woodland and past open fields before looping back towards Studley Roger village and along the drive leading up to St Mary’s Church. Look out for herds of red, fallow and sika deer.
You can also extend your walk by looping around the deer park. Finish the walk with an ice cream or warm drink in the Studley Tea Rooms.
Distance: approx. 4 miles/6.4 km
Sutton Bank & White Horse Walk
Park up at the Sutton Bank National Park Centre (pay and display), and you can call into the centre first to learn more about the area or grab a hot drink or snack to fuel you up ready for the short walk.
Make your way from the car park following the signposts to the ‘Finest View in England’. Once you arrive the interpretation board shows you the landmarks to look out for on a clear day.
From here you can pick up the path to the main road where you can cross to follow the path along the escarpment directly above the White Horse. The route is lined with wildflowers during the summer months which attract butterflies and you can also watch the gliders taking off.
Distance: approx. 1.75 miles/2.7 km
Fewston Reservoir walking routes
The reservoirs in North Yorkshire are a great option for a family-friendly walk. Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs have three pay-and-display car parks located nearby. As these reservoirs are next to each other you have the choice to walk either one on their own for a shorter route or walk both together if you have more time.
The paths take you close to the water’s edge, sparkling on a sunny day, and through towering coniferous trees. With picnic benches dotted along the routes, take some time to eat together and take in the views. Listen for birds in the trees and look out for wildlife on the water.
Distance: Swinsty only: 3 miles/4.8 km, Fewston only: 4 miles/6.4 km, Swinsty & Fewston together: 7 miles/11.5 km
Robin Hood’s Bay to Boggle Hole
This walk takes you along the beach at Robin Hood's Bay where you can search for fossils on this part of the Jurassic Coast.
Look out for the ‘erratics’ rock formations along the way. At the far end of the beach is Boggle Hole where smugglers would come ashore with their shipments and, legend has it, is the home of hobgoblins known as Boggles.
Return to Robin Hood’s Bay on the Cleveland Way along the clifftops before spending time exploring the town and re-fuelling with some delicious fish and chips.
Distance: 1.5 miles/2.4 km
Note: Access to the beach at Robin Hood’s Bay at low tide only. Don't attempt the walk three hours either side of high tide. Not suitable for very small children.
The Selby Horseshoe Walk
One for the bigger kids or younger ones who like a challenge. The Selby Horseshoe Walk follows part of the Selby Canal towpath and takes you on tracks, bridleways and footpaths.
The route takes you through the ancient oak woodland of Brayton Barff where you can see carpets of bluebells in spring and wildflowers in summertime. Listen for the birds that call these woods home.
The walk starts and finishes at Selby Abbey so you can explore the impressive Norman abbey as well as Selby itself.
Distance: 9 miles/14.4 km
Visit our walking routes page to find more great walks to try and discover the beauty of North Yorkshire on foot.
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