Breathe in the picturesque Yorkshire countryside, taking in some of the county’s finest watering holes as you go…
From leisurely riverside strolls to challenging hikes through the Yorkshire Dales, there are plenty of pub walks in Yorkshire where you can earn yourself a well-deserved pint. Whether you’re after a circular countryside walk with a cosy pub at the finish or a longer route with watering holes along the way, these scenic walks combine beautiful landscapes with some brilliant places to eat and drink.
Pub walks in the Yorkshire Dales & Nidderdale
Aysgarth Falls Walk
A major landmark and one of the best pub walks in Yorkshire rolled into one, this 2.2-mile circular route is an absolute must-do. It’s a 90-minute wander that starts in the flower-covered Freeholders Wood before you enjoy views over Bolton Castle and Wensleydale.
In St Joseph’s Wood, you’ll hear the crashing water of Aysgarth Falls – the Lower Falls appear first, but head upstream to look over the most famous, dramatic part. As the route ends, you can head off to two pubs – the rustic, cottage-style ambiance of The Wheatsheaf or the traditional Yorkshire vibes of The Aysgarth Falls Hotel, both doubling as inns.
Start point: Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 2.2 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Malhamdale Circular
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
© Copyright Leeds-List 2025
You can see some of Yorkshire’s finest natural attractions on this circular 4.5-mile route around Malhamdale. Starting in Malham village, the route passes through fields and alongside Gordale Beck to Janet’s Foss, a beautiful woodland waterfall. From here, continue to Gordale Scar, a dramatic limestone ravine with towering cliffs, before heading uphill towards the limestone pavement above Malham Cove.
Take in the sweeping views before descending the steep stones to the foot of the cove, then follow the path back into Malham. You’ve earned a pint by now, so head to the historic Buck Inn for hearty grub and real ales, or the rustic, leaf-covered Lister Arms, where you can even stay the night.
Start point: Malham National Park Centre car park – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4.5 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Reeth Circular
Two picturesque villages with great pubs on a scenic, short walk? The Reeth Circular is a gem of a circular route in North Yorkshire. It starts on Reeth village green with a walk along the Quaker Flags to the historic Quaker Foundation building.
Green fields merge into valley bottom meadows with a series of stiles and gates to reach Healaugh, home to a telephone box with a touch of luxury. Head back to the start via paths along the River Swale and head to one of two brilliant pubs – The Black Bull or The Buck. They each have a menu of pub classics, great local ales and a host of lovely rooms should you wish to kip over.
Start point: Reeth Village Green, Richmond – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 3 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Linton & Kilnsey Circular
Fancy a challenging Yorkshire pub walk? Tackle the Linton and Kilnsey Circular. This 10-mile trek starts in Linton, outside The Fountaine Inn, but more on that later. Head east to Linton Falls along the Dales Way, crossing open moor to Bastow Wood.
You’ll pass the exposed limestone crags of Dib Scar, passing Coniston and into Kilnsey where you can swing by The Tennants Arms, but don’t forget to visit climbing spot Kilnsey Crag. Mastiles Lane, an old Roman Road, offers views across Wharfedale on the way back, before you return to the start at one of the best pubs in Yorkshire and a great place to stay the night.
Start point: The Fountaine Inn, Linton – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 10.10 miles (4-5 hours).
Difficulty: Hard.
Route: Check out the route.
The Settle Railway Walk
This Yorkshire pub walk is a little different – it’s less about the destination and more about the 7.5-mile journey, with not one, not two, but three different pubs to visit on the way. You start in Settle, where you can kick things off at the Royal Oak Hotel, before heading out of town to Stainforth Force, a series of low, powerful cataracts.
Then it’s on to the Pennine Bridleway, past Stainforth House onto Helwith Bridge where you’ll find an old-school Yorkshire pub known as Craven Heifer, full of ale and grub. Once you’re fed and watered, shuffle along for the last run to Horton in Ribblesdale where you can rest up in The Crown Hotel overnight. Note – it’s a linear walk, so you’ll need to plan out your return journey.
Start point: Greenfoot car park, Settle – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 7.5 miles (3-4 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Grassington Circular
One of the best pub walks you can do in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this five-mile trek starts with a walk along Grassington’s ancient, walled High Lane. Enjoy views across the Wharfedale valley towards Simon’s Seat, Barden and Burnsall Fell, then it’s into muddy open fields, across narrow stiles and up steep steps to the historic Grassington Isolation Hospital.
It’s a short walk over herb-rich hay meadows into Hebden, home to a steel cable suspension bridge and the Clarendon Hotel for a mid-walk rest, before returning to Grassington where classic pubs like The Black Horse, The Foresters Arms and The Devonshire await.
Start point: Grassington National Park Centre – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 5 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Buckden Circular
This Yorkshire pub walk is for the hardiest of walkers – but don’t worry, you’ve got two pubs to look forward to on a scenic 10.5-mile route. Tough terrain and open moorland with no paths mean you’ll need a map after you follow the Dales Way along the River Wharfe to Hubberholme.
The George Inn provides a great pitstop here, before you rejoin the Dales Way to Yockenthwaite along farms, fields and bridleways to Horse Head trig point. The views here are worth the effort, from Pen-y-ghent to the Lakeland Fells. Head back to the start via Buckden and enjoy a well-deserved pint and bite at The Buck Inn or The Lion.
Start point: Buckden Yorkshire Dales National Park Centre – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 10.5 miles (6-7 hours).
Difficulty: Hard.
Route: Check out the route.
Hanlith Circular
Fancy going off the beaten path? The 5.6-mile Hanlith Circular is the Yorkshire Dales pub walk for you. It starts at the car park in Malham Rakes, where paths, stiles and farm tracks will lead you to the stream-lined Cow Close Lane.
Kirkby Malham soon opens up for you, where you’ll find the much-loved Victoria Inn – a throwback with great ales and food. Pause here and take in the 19th-century decor, but also because it’s the only watering hole on this route. The walk continues alongside Deepdale Plantation with stiles to tackle up to Town End Farm Shop where you can find the route to the Pennine Way back into Hanlith.
Start point: Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Car Park, Malham – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 5.6 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Kirkby Malzeard Circular
The historic old market town of Kirkby Malzeard finds itself set in amongst the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and this four-mile walk sees you discover exactly why it’s known as that. You begin your trek at a pub that’s no longer with us, The Henry Jenkins, where you’ll set off to Creets Bridge opposite Mowbray Castle and pass Braithwaite Hall.
Go through Hubber Wood, Mill Farm and around the village of Azerley, before walking along a series of paths and stiles that lead you back into Kirkby Malzeard to the pub that’s still open – The Queen’s Head is just across the way, serving decent ales and pub classics.
Start point: The Henry Jenkins, Kirkby Malzeard – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4 miles (1-2 hours).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Thruscross Circular
Looking for a fairly leisurely pub walk in North Yorkshire? Head to Thruscross, just outside of Harrogate for a 4.5-mile hike that brings together water and woods. It starts outside of The Stone House Inn but your first port of call will be a walk past a disused quarry that leads you to the sidings of Thruscross Reservoir.
The rest of the route carries on this way, with footbridges, a few inclines and a couple of boggy areas. You’ll see the remains of a flooded village that disappeared when the reservoir was built, as well as incredible valley views before you return to the cosy country surrounds of The Stone House Inn.
Start point: The Stone House Inn, Thruscross – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4.5 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Pub walks in the North York Moors
Hole of Horcum Circular
Although this walk starts at a pub, it’s a hard going 12.2 miles long, so you might want to save your trip to The Fox and Rabbit until it’s over. There’s a steep start too, up High Wood, to reach Levisham Moor where you can see the High Bride Stones and the beautiful moorland below.
The path leads you to the Hole of Horcum, a valley hollow that’s 400 feet deep and 3,960 feet across. Take it in and then circle back to Levisham – The Horseshoe Inn is a great spot for a rest – before returning to the start. The Fox and Rabbit will be waiting with quality local produce, great ales and panoramic views across the North York Moors.
Start point: The Fox and Rabbit, Pickering – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 12.2 miles (5-6 hours).
Difficulty: Hard.
Route: Check out the route.
Arden Great Moor Circular
Want a walk with incredible views and a welcoming, dog-friendly pub at both the start and end? This 8.8-mile circular route around Arden Great Moor is it. It kicks off at The Owl in Hawnby, which you’ll circle back to later. It’s fairly easy, with just a small ascent right at the start from the village to the open moorland.
Enjoy views over Hawnby Hill and Easterside Hill, before an extended circuit of Arden Moor to reach the Cleveland Way. You can look out over the Vale of Mowbray and the Wensleydale Hills before heading back to Hawnby – Yorkshire ales and a dinner made with local Yorkshire produce await at The Owl.
Start point: The Owl at Hawnby – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 8.8 miles (4-5 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Pub walks in East Yorkshire
Flamborough Coast Walk
You can go on a wonderful 10-mile pub walk along the East Yorkshire coast on a trip to Flamborough. It starts with a walk down Bridlington Road, passing through Home Farm Plantation and into Danes Dyke Nature Reserve. Here, you’ll find the 2.6-mile long ditch and bank earthwork that cuts off Flamborough Head from the mainland.
A series of bridges and woodland lead you to the Yorkshire Heritage Coast path with views over the North Sea and famous white chalk cliffs as you go from the sandy stretches of South to North Landing. Back at the start, The Rose & Crown will sate your hunger and quench any thirst.
Start point: West Street, Flamborough – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 10 miles (3-4 hours).
Difficulty: Hard.
Route: Check out the route.
Brantingham Circular
The quaint setting of Brantingham is the location for an easy 5.7-mile walk around an under-appreciated part of the Yorkshire Wolds, not far from Hull. You’ll head north through Wandhills and South Wold plantations onto Elloughton Dale and into a series of picturesque forests like Wauldby Gates and Welton Top.
The Wold View opens up breathtaking scenery in every direction, especially on a clear day, before you head downhill back into Brantingham. The Triton Inn is a dog-friendly country pub serving local ales which will pair perfectly with a menu of traditional pub fare, from fish & chips to sausage & mash.
Start point: Brantingham Village Green – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 5.7 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
Pub walks in West Yorkshire
The Kirkstall Canal Ale Trail
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Fancy swapping countryside hikes for a leisurely waterside wander? The Kirkstall Canal Ale Trail combines scenic towpaths with some of Leeds’ best pubs. Follow the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towards Kirkstall, taking in the colourful narrowboats and industrial heritage along the way, with plenty of opportunities to stop for a pint.
Start the trail in the city centre at Brewery Wharf Tavern, where you can enjoy a pint overlooking the water, before continuing on your pub-hopping adventure. It’s a great alternative to a traditional Yorkshire pub walk, especially if you’d rather take things at your own pace.
Start point: Brewery Wharf Tavern – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4.8 miles (5-7 hours depending on where you stop).
Difficulty: Easy.
Route: Check out the route.
Pub walks in South Yorkshire
The Bradfield Circular
You get two pubs, a brewery and loads of beautiful scenery on this 4.3-mile walk around the Yorkshire tip of the Peak District. It starts by Low Bradfield Cricket Club, before you enjoy views at the top of Windy Bank and reach Agden Reservoir. Around the water you go, into Agden Wood, past Agden Dike and onto Agden Clough where you can look out across the Peaks.
Then it’s into High Bradfield where the traditional stone Old Horns Inn awaits with ales and steaks, but don’t wait too long to visit Bradfield Brewery just around the corner. Back at the start, the 200-year-old Bradfield Plough makes for the perfect end.
Start point: The Sands, Low Bradfield – find it on Google Maps.
Distance: 4.3 miles (2-3 hours).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Route: Check out the route.
