Yorkshire Dales New Years Day Walks
Who loves a New Years’ Day Walk?
Nothing like blowing away the cobwebs and giving the excesses of the night before a boot out the window than with a New Years’ Day Walk right? And we can think of no better place for a family friendly New Years’ Day Walk than in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales!
Now, you may or may not know that we are ALL about the family walks here, and we pride ourselves in finding some pretty cool matches to suit every occasion!
So here are our fav New Years Day Walks! None are too long (apart from Whernside), to allow for a lazy start and an early sunset and these are the walks that we think are at their best in the Winter!
The Hoffman Kiln, located just outside of Settle
Stainforth Force and the Hoffman Kiln
Settle, Southern Yorkshire Dales.
If you are after a walk which packs in a super cool structure that remains as a relic of the Yorkshire Dales industrial past, as well as a well known waterfall then this is the walk for you!
At between 4-5 miles, this family walk starts and ends in the village of Stainforth (which coincidentally has a pub too…) and takes you on a circular route past the remains of the Craven Lime Works (where there is a trail), past the Hoffman Kiln, and then back along the river, passing Stainforth Force before heading back to the start!
Stainforth Force can be INCREDIBLY busy during the Summer, but in winter, you’ll be able to virtually have the place to yourself!
A word of warning, the ground along the river can get very muddy after wet weather, so bear this in mind when preparing!
Check out the full details and route description on our Stainforth Force walk page.
The Ribblehead Viaduct
Ribblehead Viaduct
Ribblehead, Ribblesdale
One of our ABSOLUTE favourite places to go!
This circular walk celebrates the viaduct and the epic views to Whernside and Ingleborough in a short circular flat (ish) route. Great for those looking for a shorter walk which doesn’t involve too much up!
Plus, it finishes at the super cosy Station in!
Perfect right?
Check out our Ribblehead Walk details on the dedicated page!
Hardraw Force in Winter
Hardraw Force and Shaw Ghyll Woods
Hardraw, near Hawes, Wensleydale
A walk with options and one to be almost certainly done after plenty of rain the night before, because Hardraw looks even more spectacular after epic rain!
This one can be a super short stomp to Hardraw (which is also pushchair friendly) for very young explorers or there is a longer 3 mile version for older kids which takes in the woodland above Hardraw Force (also the home to several pretty waterfalls on the beck!)
We love this walk in winter, because the waterfalls are simply better!
Plus it ends at the Green Dragon Pub! One of the oldest (and cosiest) pubs in the Yorkshire Dales!
You can find out more on our dedicated Hardraw Force and Shaw Ghyll Woods pages.
An icy Fishpond Woods, near Pateley Bridge.
Fishpond Woods and Ice House
Bewerley, Near Pateley Bridge, Nidderdale
This is a fab short but sweet wander that starts and ends in Pateley Bridge, just opposite the play park!
We love it during the winter months because the spiders that like to live in the Ice House hide away in the winter so you can actually go inside WITHOUT screaming ‘WHAT’S THAT IN MY HAIR?!’ and racing out of the door!
At only 2 miles this short circular will give you ducks to feed, as well as a woodland wander to the ice house and back into the pretty market town of Pateley Bridge!
Check out the full walk over on our Fishpond Woods page.
Ghastrill’s Strid near Grassington
Ghaistrill’s Strid and Grass Woods
Grassington, The Yorkshire Dales
Another wander that starts and end in a top Yorkshire Dales market town, Grassington is a fab starting point for this walk, as you’ll find the play park there and loads of places for a post walk pint!
This circular takes you along the river, past Ghaistrills Strid (submerged beneath a torrent of water upstream from this shot!) up into Grass Woods where there are stick dens and an ancient settlement, and fort, and then back into Grassington again!
Find out more about the details on the Ghaistrill’s Strid page.
Cotter Force in Wensleydale
Cotter Force
Near Hawes, Wensleydale, Yorkshire Dales
This one is for the mud haters out there!
This is fully pushchair and wheelchair accessible. It has also got frequent stop spots for those who need a sit down, and is absolutely top for toddlers.
So one for all the family on New Years Day.
At under 1 mile, you’ll have plenty of time to pop into Hawes to find a perfect New Years Day pint too! We love the White Hart on main street on Hawes, but you can check out some more pub walks on our Walks with Pubs and Cafes page!
Find the full walk details on the Cotter Force page!
Scar House Reservoir looking towards Angram Reservoir with Great Whernside in the snow behind
Scar House Reservoir
Lofthouse, Upper Nidderdale
I am in love with Scar House Reservoir. Generally, I hate a reservoir walk. I find they are boring, and lacking in imagination….. CONTROVERSIAL!
But whilst this one is dead easy to navigate, it delivers on interest.
The mahoosive Victorian Weirs are by far the most dramatic I have ever seen, and standing at a lofty height above sea level, the reservoir is at the mercy of the elements. So you will likely get snow, or gale force winds or we’ve even witnessed a tornado there (I’m selling it right?!)
But honestly, it’s ace, and in the right conditions, makes a top New Years wander, with decent paths underfoot too.
Check out the full route on our Scar House reservoir page and head to Lofthouse for the pubs after!
Ilkley Moor in the snow
Ilkley Moor (B’aht ‘at…)
Southern border of the Yorkshire Dales
This is our classic New Years day walk!
Because there is so much choice. You can find a short walk, (why not try Ilkley Tarn?) You could find a medium walk (Try Heber’s Ghyll) or you can park up at the Cow and Calf rocks and head up on’t moor for a wander! We love to pay a visit to the Beck Stone, which is a walk the starts from that car park.
Then? Head to the Cow and Calf pub, sit out in the beer garden and soak up the views towards the Dales (dare you …. I’ve done it, it was ace!)
An icy Loup Scar on the River Wharfe near Burnsall
Burnsall
Wharfedale, The Yorkshire Dales
We love Burnsall! Such a great spot to start and end a New Years Day walk, as it features…. wait for it…
ANOTHER TOP PUB! The Red Lion.
Why not check out our Burnsall to Hebden walk that takes you along the edge of the River Wharfe, past Loup Scar and then towards Hebden.
Mill Gill Force near Askrigg in Wensleydale
Mill Gill Force and Whitfield Gill Force
Wensleydale, Central Yorkshire Dales
Want to start off the year with a double waterfall walk? Well this is the one for you!
Askrigg in Wensleydale boasts not one but two spectacular waterfalls and this walk starts and ends in the beautiful village of Askrigg, where you’ll be able to find yet another pub - sorry if you’re doing dry January!
This 4.5 mile walk is a brilliant way to kick off the New Year in style! Check out the Mill Gill Force page to find out more and for the full route description.
Whernside in January 2023
Whernside
Ribblehead, Yorkshire Dales Central
If you’re kicking off the year in style? Why not try Whernside (the highest of the Yorkshire Dales peaks!)
You’ll need to make sure you have an early start for this one, so definitely not one for any who’ve perhaps seen in the early hours of the morning, but in case you’re in camp - lets just go to bed by 9pm and celebrate tomorrow, this one is for you!
On a blue sky January day, it is an absolute joy! You can find out more about walking Whernside on a our dedicated walk page, but just remember… there’s a SUPER cosy pub at the end too and you’ll need to be down by sunset, which averages around 4pm on a January day!
PLEASE NOTE! If you’re climbing a mountain in Winter you need to be prepared. Check the mountain weather forecast (nope, not just the regular one) wear appropriate clothing AND strong sturdy footwear with additional grips in icy conditions. You MUST have a map and compass and know how to use it. The temperature and wind speed on the tops can be much MUCH lower and much stronger than on lower levels. If in doubt, come back in the Summer!
Check out our helpful information page for more!
The Toft Gate Lime Kiln
Coldstone Cut and the Toft Gate Lime Kiln
Nidderdale National Landscape
This is a fab wander to explore two incredible places!
The Coldstones Cut is a massive piece of modern art located in Nidderdale, just above Pateley Bridge and the Toft Gate Lime Kiln is right next door!
So less of a walk, more of an explore!
Park up in the free car park and explore to your heart’s content. The views from here are epic on a sunny day!
Check out the full route description by heading to the Coldstones Cut page.
Are you looking for more wintery walks!
Our website is jam packed full of walks in and around the Yorkshire Dales, so check it out!
