Walk 1: Harlow Carr, Birk Crag, Oak Beck Starting at the Queen Victoria Monument, on Station Square, head through town towards Betty’s Tea Room, and down Montpellier Hill into Valley Gardens. Stroll up the hill towards the Pinewoods, past the wells and the wild area near the bowling club. Follow the main path through the Pinewoods starting close to the sign board. After walking through the grassy area the views open up across Nidderdale. Pause a moment and enjoy the space. Continue on to Harlow Carr - a glorious RHS garden complete with a Betty’s tea room. Follow Crag Lane past the kennels and through the gate onto the woodland path. Though the gate into the woodlands you have two choices - turn right immediately onto the cliff top path or go down the steps to the right and join the main Harrogate Ringway path. Both meet up at the gate onto Penny Pot Lane. Note 1: for a slightly longer walk follow the footpath down the short road alongside Harlow Carr. The footpath follows round through the woods to the gate. Note 2: there are a number of deviations here to watch the racing. Birk Crag is a stunning area with glimpses through the canopy towards Nidderdale. Follow the main path through to the road - a great place to watch the cyclists as they cross the river and ascend the hill. Continue on Kent Road, which is a rough potholed section, keeping a lookout for the footpath leading off to the left, before Oakdale. Head down the ginnel, behind the houses, before taking the footpath down towards the river. Walk the straight under the tree towards the river (not the main path heading to the right as you descend the stairs). Follow the river round the righthand bend, before coming to the packhorse bridge. The bridge leads onto the golf course and is not a public right of way. Take time to enjoy the bridge and the spectacular beech trees, before continuing along the riverside path. Go carefully and enjoy. The path goes up and down, passes some small beach areas where the dogs love to swim… and ends at the foot of long climb up steps away from the river edge. Rising up above Oakdale Beck, follow the path out onto the road next to Oakdale Golf Course. Turn right up to Oakdale, and take the woodland steps up to Kent Road. Turn right and head up Kent Avenue towards St Wilfred’s Church. Go left on Duchy Road and first right onto Clarence Drive past Harrogate Ladies College. There are plenty of places to watch the racing around here. Depending on the crowds you can turn left onto York Road or continue onto Cornwall Road. Walk back through town to the start or rather stay and enjoy the racing. Enjoy your time in Harrogate and make the most of our town, the amazing racing, the history of cycling, town walks with Harry (see Free Walking Tours - Harrogate) and our local shops and restaurants. Walk 2: The Stray, Hookstone Woods, Crimple Valley Starting at the Queen Victoria Monument, on Station Square, walk down Station Parade toward Waitrose. Turn first left down Station Avenue and over the railway line. Walk on the right handsome of the road straight over at the roundabout by the Odeon Cinema. Look for the ginnel on the far corner of Queen Parade. Follow this path through to the pedestrian lights crossing York place onto the Stray. Walk across the Stray following Oatlands Drive. Opposite St Aiden’s School turn left down Saint Hilda’s Road. Turn right down Saint Helen’s Road. Cross Hookstone Drive and slight left follow the ginnel through to Hookstone Wood. This gorgeous wood is maintained by volunteers and is a real joy to walk through. Pass the ponds and emerge into the car park near the squash courts (Harrogate Squash and Racket Centre). Walk past the Yorkshire Showgrounds entrance, take in the view from the lovely dry stone walling exhibit by our local craftsman Jonny. Walk down the hill on the track alongside the road. At the bottom of the hill follow the track to the right and go through the small wooden gate next to the river. Crimple Beck is a lovely spot to pause and listen to the birds and possibly spot a kingfisher. Follow the track over a narrow bridge and turn right at the fence. Walk up the hill on the edge of the woodland and next to the fields with views across to the amazing viaduct that carried our trains to Leeds. The track bends to the left before coming to a gateway. There is a lovely extension to this walk by going straight along this track. However, we will be turning right onto the metalled track, down over the beck and up through the woodlands before turning left onto the road that leads into Harrogate and should be signed to the Fan Park. Cross Hookstone Drive, onto Oatlands Drive. Reaching the Stray turn left and follow that path over the railway line, to Slingsby Well, and towards the Fan Park via Cherry Tree Walk. You can return to the starting point of the walk following Station Parade crossing at the traffic lights or head towards West Park Street and the finish line, Fan Park and excitement. Enjoy your time in Harrogate and make the most of our town, the amazing racing, the history of cycling, town walks with Harry (see Free Walking Tours - Harrogate) and our local shops and restaurants. Note: there are a number of variations on the route to and from Hookstone Wood and Crimple Valley. Personally I prefer to cross the Stray rather than walk on the main roads. Walk 3: Nidderdale Greenway, Nidd Gorge, Bilton Beck Starting at the Queen Victoria Monument, on Station Square, head left up Station Parade past the bus station. Cross the road and pass under the railway line. Cross at the lights and continue up Park View, following across the park and through The Passage out onto the grassland. Follow the path, bear left and cross Skipton Road at the traffic lights and onto Claro Road. Continuing straight on down Clara Road to the right hand bend at the bottom, where there is a footpath to the left, up and over the railway line. Turn right onto the Nidderdale Greenway. Follow the Greenway track over Bilton Lane. Past the houses, take the main track off to the left and follow this to the steps heading down into the gorge. Note: There are a few paths across this field most of them eventually drop down onto the path to the river, through the woodland. Either keep left and follow the track into the woodland and down the steps or go straight across the field and follow the path into the woods which goes down to the main riverside path. Walk alongside the River Nidd, enjoying the woodland and bird song, and under the 7-arch viaduct. This area is a haven for birds and if you are lucky you might spot an otter. After a small walk inland to cross an adjoining beck, climb up the steps and follow the track next to the fields of crops. This path joins a metalled road, bear left and you will join Bilton lane near The Gardeners Arms. Crossing Bilton Lane, follow the lane. Go through the gate (right hand one) onto a footpath which runs next to the field, over the track to Starbeck, across a small field and left back onto the Nidderdale Greenway. Follow the Greenway, crossing back over the railway line at the same place where you joined the Greenway. Walk alongside the railway line right back into Harrogate arriving at the carpark behind Asda. Walk through the carparks, past Asda and right under the railway line. Cross Bower Road and continue along Station Parade back to the starting point. .