Where Pennine heights meet green river corridors — and history lines every path.
West Yorkshire is a quietly compelling county for walking holidays, where open moorland, wooded valleys, historic towns, and canal corridors combine into a richly layered landscape. Located in the western part of Yorkshire & The Humber, the county is shaped by the rivers Aire, Calder, and Wharfe, with the eastern edge of the Pennines rising above former mill towns, stone villages, and long-established market centres.
From the UNESCO-listed village of Saltaire to the wild moors above Ilkley and Haworth, West Yorkshire blends nature, literature, and industrial heritage into a setting that suits slow exploration. Walk along calm canal towpaths, climb onto open gritstone moors, follow rivers through steep-sided valleys, or explore historic streets that once powered Britain’s industrial age. Alongside this, the county also lends itself to quiet outdoor adventures, while the same valleys and waterways create excellent conditions for relaxed cycling holidays. With a wide choice of independent places to stay across the county, West Yorkshire works beautifully for both short breaks and longer self-guided journeys.
Beginning at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire, this long-distance route runs north-west across the Yorkshire Dales to Appleby-in-Westmorland, linking industrial heritage with open limestone uplands.
Flat, scenic walking and cycling through Saltaire, Shipley, and Bingley, passing wooded cuttings, lock flights, and former mill settlements.
Riverside routes linking Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, and Todmorden, framed by steep green hillsides and historic mill towns.
Classic Pennine-edge walking with wide skies, gritstone outcrops, and sweeping views across Wharfedale.
Literary walking routes linking Haworth, Oxenhope, and the open moors of Brontë Country.
UNESCO-listed Saltaire and its canal and parkland walks
Pennine-edge moorland on Ilkley Moor and Haworth Moor
Riverside walking through the Calder and Aire valleys
Flat canal towpaths ideal for gentle exploration on foot or by bike
Literary landscapes of Brontë Country
Historic mill towns, stone villages, and valley market centres
