Yorkshire Heritage Way
A 42-mile long-distance path in West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire linking Bradford Cathedral with Ripon Cathedral. Highlights include Shipley Glen, Baildon Moor, Wharfedale, the Washburn Valley, and Nidderdale. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SE 167 333
Distance: 42 miles (68 km)
Time: 18–24 hours
Duration: 3–4 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
288 Bradford, Huddersfield and East Calderdale
297 Lower Wharfedale and Washburn Valley
298 Nidderdale
299 Ripon, Boroughbridge and Easingwold
Summary
The Yorkshire Heritage Way is a 42-mile (68 km) footpath in northern England. It links the contrasting cities of Bradford in West Yorkshire and Ripon in North Yorkshire and passes through two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Saltaire, and Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Park. The way was created in part to connect the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) of Nidderdale with the urban area of Bradford, in line with recommendations that AONBs should be made more accessible to city-dwellers. It was designed by members of The Ramblers Lower Wharfedale group and the Burley Bridge Association, with an official launch date in April 2022.
The route starts at Bradford Cathedral in the center of Bradford, passing through Saltaire, Shipley Glen, and Burley Woodhead to arrive at Burley-in-Wharfedale. Here the River Wharfe must be crossed, either by stepping stones or via a two-mile detour upstream to Denton Bridge. The route continues into North Yorkshire, past Timble, Blubberhouses church, the Washburn Valley, and Thruscross Reservoir. It goes on past Glasshouses to the National Trust’s spectacular Brimham Rocks before passing Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Park and reaching Ripon Cathedral. (Source: Wikipedia)