Car free public Transport Walks in North Yorkshire

Car-free? Discover stunning country walks in North Yorkshire via public transport. Enjoy rural beauty and fresh air, no driving needed.

It may be possible to do almost any of my walks using public transport if you are prepared to walk far enough from the last point where public transport connects. However, one has to be reasonable and I have only listed below those of my North Yorkshire walks where access is sensibly feasible. How feasible depends on timing and where you are starting from and a useful tool for working out your public transport journey is North Yorkshire Council Public Transport page.

I do not give bus times/numbers because these change. If I have missed any public transport links to any of my walks, please let me know.

Walk Title	Public Transport Option
Almscliff Crag	The walk starts at Castley, to which there is no public transport but as it is a circular route, you could start from where it crosses the A658 at either of two points. The A658 is on the route of frequent buses from Bradford to Harrogate. The route can also be accessed by train from Weeton station at Huby, on the Leeds/Harrogate line.
Askwith to the Tree of Life and Askwith Moor	There is no direct public transport to Askwith but it can be reached via stepping stones across the River Wharfe at Burley in Wharfedale. Burley-in-Wharfedale and Ilkley are served by buses along Wharfedale (Leeds to Skipton) and by train from Leeds and Bradford. No through buses from Bradford - change at Otley. Would add about a mile each way to the walk.
Blubberhouses to Thruscross Reservoir	Blubberhouses sits on the main road A59 which runs between Harrogate and Skipton and so can be accessed from either place.
Burton Leonard to Brearton	Burton Leonard is served by buses from Ripon. Alternatively, catch to bus from Otley to Ripon and alight at South Stainley to pick the walk up there from St. Wilfrid's Church.
Cover Bridge to Thornton Steward and Jervaulx Abbey	Cover Bridge is on the main A6108. Buses run from Ripon to Leyburn.
Cowling to Keighley Moor and The Hitching Stone	Cowling is on the main A6068 which via the A629, links Keighley, Skipton and Colne. Cowling can be accessed by bus from any of these locations.
Crayke to Oulston	Crayke can be accessed by bus from Easingwold.
Dacre Banks to Birstwith	Harrogate to Pateley Bridge buses call at Dacre Banks.
Dacre Banks to High Crag	Harrogate to Pateley Bridge buses call at Dacre Banks.
Draughton to Bolton Abbey	Draughton is served by buses running between Otley and Skipton.
Elslack to Pinhaw Beacon	Buses run from Skipton to Colne. Alight at the Tempest Arms.
Embsay Crag	Embsay village is served by buses from Skipton.
Galphay Circular	Served by Dalesbus from various locations - check on line. Also some buses to/from Ripon though times limited.
Gargrave to Airton	On the main A65. Buses from Skipton and Settle.
Gargrave to East Marton	Gargrave is on the main A65. Buses from Skipton and Settle. East Marton is on the A59 and the walk could be started there from the Cross Keys. Buses Skipton/Clithroe.
Gargrave to Flasby	On the main A65. Buses from Skipton and Settle.
Gargrave to Haw Crag	On the main A65. Buses from Skipton and Settle.
Great Ouseburn Circular	Served by buses on the Ripon/York route.
Hackfall to Galphray	The three villages included in this walk, Galphray, Kirkby Malzeard and Grewelthorpe, are all served by a bus route from Ripon. As it is a circular walk, you could start the walk from any of these places.
Harmby to Middleham	Harmby is on the main A684 which runs along Wensleydale. It can be reached by bus from Northallerton, Bedale and Masham. Leyburn, a stop on the Wensleydale Railway, which runs from Leeming Bar to Redmire, is not far away. The timetable is somewhat intermittent so check their website.
Hovingham to Barton-le-Street	Hovingham can be accessed by buses from Malton.
Howardian Hills from Terrington	Buses routes from York and Malton to Terrington.
Leyburn to Wensley via Leyburn Shawl	Leyburn is on the main A684 which runs along Wensleydale. It can be reached by bus from Northallerton, Bedale and Masham. It is also a stop on the Wensleydale Railway, which runs from Leeming Bar to Redmire. The timetable is somewhat intermittent so check their website.
Lothersdale Loop	Buses run between Skipton and Colne. Alight at Thornton-in-Craven and join the walk route there.
Lund's Tower and Cowling Pinacle	Buses run from Skipton and Keighley to Sutton in Craven where the walk starts.
Masham to Druids Temple	Masham can be accessed by buses from Ripon, Northallerton, Bedale and Leyburn.
Markington Circular	Markington is served by the Harrogate/Ripon buses.
Middleham to Aysgarth	Middleham accessible by bus from Ripon
Middleham to East Witton	Middleham accessible by bus from Ripon
Nidd Gorge and Old Bilton	The starting point is easily accessible from Knaresborough centre or indeed as a circular walk, begun by walking along the B6165 as in the walk directions from traffic lights in Knaresborough.
Pateley Bridge to Brimham Rocks	Buses run from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge.
Pateley Bridge to Dacre Banks	Buses run from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge via Dacre Banks if you wanted to start there.
Pateley Bridge to Wath, Gouthwaite Reservoir and the Mines	Buses run from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge.
Pinhaw Beacon	Buses run from Carleton near Skipton and Carleton can be accessed by bus from Skipton.
Preston, Redmire and Grinton Moors	Buses from Leyburn to Preston-under-Scar.
Ripley Circular	Ripley is just off the A61 Harrogate to Ripon road and well served by buses.
Ripley and Scarah Moor Circuit	As above.
Ripon to Bishop Monkton	Ripon well served by buses.
Skipton Castle Woods	Skipton is a well known town and accessible and train from various locations.
South Stainley Circular	The church car park where the walk starts in South Stainley is just a quarter of a mile from the A61. Buses run along the A61 from Harrogate to Ripon. Alight at the Red Lion.
Spofforth Park	Spofforth is on the main Harrogate/Wetherby bus route.
Swinton with Warthermarske Round, including Hackfall Woods	Grewelthorpe is served by a bus route from Ripon. The start is just outside the village.
Weeton to Netherby	Weeton has a railway station about 1 mile from the village, which is on the main Leeds/Harrogate/York lines. Buses also stop at Weeton Station from Ilkley, Leeds and Bradford.
West Tanfield Circular Walk and the Marmion Tower	West Tanfield is on the main Ripon/Masham bus route.
Whixley to Little Ouseburn	Both villages served by the Ripon/York route so the walk could be started from either place as it is a circular walk.

All information on this site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it.

Car Free Walks Using Public Transport in North Yorkshire