York Walking Festival group walks

York Walking Festival group walks

The 2025 York Walking Festival will be taking place from Saturday 13 September to Sunday 28 September.

There are a number of organised group walks taking place during the festival.

All group walks are free to attend, unless stated otherwise, but events with links to 'book a place' have limited places and you may be refused entry if you don’t book in advance.

Group walks are circular, so will return to the starting point, unless stated otherwise.

A scenic linear walk between lakes at New Earswick Nature Reserve and Derwenthorpe Lakes.

Look for wildlife around the lakes and learn about the history of the railway line that brought workers to the Rowntree chocolate factory.

Buses back to the city centre run from Osbaldwick at the end of the walk.

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A fun, glittery walk to raise funds for St Leonard’s Hospice.

The event includes live music from Tri-Starrs and a Sparkle Party from YO1 Radio, with a group warm-up that brings everybody together! There will be activities including glitter painting and stalls.

The Moonlight Walk starts at 9.30pm.

Book a place on the Moonlight Walk

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  • Location: YHA York, 42 Water End, Clifton
  • Date and time: Saturday 13 September, 10.15am and 1.15pm
  • Duration: 3 miles, 1.5 hours

This easy and scenic walk around Clifton Ings, beside the River Ouse in York, will be both a social walk and an introduction to Nordic Walking.

The distance is short to give time for an introduction to the benefits and technique of Nordic Walking, which is between 20 to 40% more effective than just walking. However, the better the technique the better the results!

Choose either the morning or afternoon session. Nordic walking poles will be available for free hire for the walk. See the Nordic Walking website for more information.

Book a place on a Nordic Walk

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  • Location: Burley Park Station
  • Date and time: Sunday 14 September, 10.30am
  • Duration: 7.1 miles, 4 hours

You can meet Rob at York Railway Station around 9.30am for the 9.47am train to Burley Park.

Explore countryside south of Harrogate. The route crosses the Crimple Valley to the village of Follifoot, then skirts Rudding Park before returning through woodland and fields. Level of difficulty: Moderate. Mainly flat but there are a couple of inclines. There is a pub at the end of the walk for refreshments and toilets.

See more information on the York Oddsocks website.

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Trees from around the world can be found in the cemetery, including palm trees and Australian gum trees.

Come to learn more about this exotic collection of trees and their stories. Please arrive 15 mins before the start time to collect audio equipment.

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Cemetery History tours throughout the day.

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From the Roman Empire to the Industrial Revolution, via Vikings, the Norman Conquest and the Wars of the Roses, the history of York is the history of England.

Starting in the shadow of the city’s ancient stone walls, we’ll explain how a Roman military outpost turned into imperial Eboracum. Via King's Manor, York Minster, The Shambles and Jorvik, we’ll tell tales of rulers and conquerors, empresses and queens, king makers and king breakers. Finally we will finish our walk in the heart of York Castle.

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  • Location: University of York bus stop outside Heslington Church, Field Lane
  • Date and time: Monday 15 September, 12.30pm to 2.00pm
  • Duration: 1.5 hours

A chance to see some of the wide variety of birds to be found on the University of York Campus.

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  • Location: Meet at The Country Park Office, Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride
  • Date and time: Monday 15 September, 10.30am
  • Duration: 1.5 hours

Enjoy a scenic walk in the fields around Rawcliffe, organised by The Ramblers Wellbeing Walks.

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  • Location: Meet outside York Art Gallery
  • Date and time: Wednesday 17 September, 2.00pm
  • Duration: 1 hour

Enjoy a gently paced walk through the historic centre of York, Museum Gardens and the riverside, organised by The Ramblers Wellbeing Walks.

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  • Location: Front Street Mural in Acomb
  • Date and time: Wednesday 17 September, 2.00pm
  • Duration: 1 hour

A walk for parents with young children. Walk organised by Ready Steady Mums. Followed by a visit to a local café.

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Enjoy a gently paced weekly walk looking for nature in St Nicks Nature Reserve.

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  • Location: Meet on Fulford side of the Millennium Bridge
  • Date and time: Thursday 18 September, 2.00pm
  • Duration: 1 hour

A walk for parents with young children. Walk organized by Ready Steady Mums. Followed by a visit to a local café.

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Enjoy a gently paced walk through Tang Hall, organised by The Ramblers Wellbeing Walks.

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Location: Outside York Explore Library, Museum Street

Date and time: Thursday 18 September, 11.00am

Duration: 1 hour

A monthly walk where people walk and talk about any book they have read that covers the theme of the month, organised by York Bike Belles.

For more information contact York Bike Belles on email: alison.yorkbikebelles@gmail.com.

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  • Location: Opposite the Fox and Roman pub in the Pinfold
  • Date and time: Saturday 20 September, 10.00am
  • Duration: 3 miles, 2 hours

Find out what connects the Romans, bricks, railways, the plague and capital punishment in this interesting three mile walk around the western suburbs of York. A relaxed walking pace with plenty of time for discussion.

Mixture of tarmac and potentially muddy field paths - walking shoes or boots recommended. No toilets on route. Opportunities for buying refreshments at the start and end.

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  • Location: Bar Lane where it meets Micklegate
  • Date and time: Sunday 21 September, 11.00am
  • Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours

Join York's Hidden History, exploring the ancient, natural and scientific secrets of the city.

How old is York and how mountainous is The Mount? Who are the microscopic Lister sisters and their remarkable father?

On the banks of the Ouse, we'll unravel York's Ice Age history then hunt for York's oldest building. Having found fossils on Coney Street we'll peer into a volcano in St Helen's Square, before meeting a volcanologist (and some more remarkable sisters) on Stonegate. At Minster Yard we'll consider cathedrals as giant limestone cliffs, and the challenges of maintaining them. Finally in York Museum Gardens, we'll hear how the palaeontological Miss Phillips proved pompous Sir Roderick wrong (whilst we keep a lookout for hyaenas).

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  • Location: Meet at The Country Park Office, Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride
  • Date and time: Monday 22 September, 10.30am
  • Duration: 1.5 hours

Enjoy a scenic walk in the fields around Rawcliffe, organised by The Ramblers Wellbeing Walks.

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  • Location: Meet at The Country Park Office, Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride
  • Date and time: Monday 22 September, 10.30am
  • Duration: 1.5 hours

Enjoy a scenic leisurely walk in the fields around Rawcliffe, organised by The Ramblers Wellbeing Walks.

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  • Location: Meet outside York Art Gallery
  • Date and time: Wednesday 24 September, 2.00pm
  • Duration: 1 hour

Enjoy a gently paced walk through the historic centre of York, Museum Gardens and the riverside, organised by The Ramblers Wellbeing Walks.

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  • Location: Hagg Wood
  • Date and time: Wednesday 24 September, 11.00am
  • Duration: 2 hours

Walk led by Mal Greaves, fungus expert.

Meet at the end of Intake Lake, Dunnington, near to the public footpath signs.

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  • Location: Front Street Mural in Acomb
  • Date and time: Wednesday 24 September, 2.00pm
  • Duration: 1 hour

A walk for parents with young children. Walk organized by Ready Steady Mums. Followed by a visit to a local café.

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Enjoy a gently paced weekly walk looking for nature in St Nicks Nature Reserve.

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  • Cost: £5
  • Location: Bennett's Café and Bistro, High Petergate
  • Date and time: Wednesday 24 September, 11.00am
  • Duration: 1.5hours

Join Uncomfortable York for a thought-provoking tour exploring the overlooked stories of women, people of colour, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Step beyond the city’s historic streets and discover York’s vibrant, diverse past, revealing a global city shaped by voices too often left out of traditional histories.

Wheelchair accessible: no stairs or curbs, but there are sometimes uneven pavements in the city centre and crowding on busy days.

To book a place call Uncomfortable York on telephone: 01865 538409, or email info@uncomfortableyork.com.

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  • Location: Meet on Fulford side of the Millennium Bridge
  • Date and time: Thursday 25 September, 2.00pm
  • Duration: 1 hour

A walk for parents with young children. Walk organized by Ready Steady Mums. Followed by a visit to a local café.

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Enjoy a gently paced walk through Tang Hall, organised by The Ramblers Wellbeing Walks.

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  • Location: Bootham Bar
  • Date and time: Thursday 25 September, 6.00pm
  • Duration: 1 hour

A gentle stroll around part of York to see lots of little details on buildings hiding in plain sight, things you’ve maybe walked past lots of times but not noticed.

Wheelchair accessible: no steps but some kerbs.

To book a place email Catherine Sotheran: csotheran@aol.com.

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  • Location: Walmgate Bar
  • Date and time: Friday 26 September, 10.00am
  • Duration: 4 miles, 2.5 to 3 hours

Discover the hidden history and geography of York’s eastern suburbs from the Normans, through to the present day via Walmgate Bar, cattle, a water tower, bricks, the university, railways, a stone circle and much more along the way. A relaxed walking pace with plenty of time for discussion.

Mixture of tarmac and potentially muddy field paths - walking shoes or boots recommended. No toilets on route. Opportunities for buying refreshments at the start and end.

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A chance to learn about the edible plants available in York’s hedgerows and public spaces. Ideal for families, local residents and nature lovers.

This event is free but donations are welcomed. Any donations will be used to contribute towards Planet South Bank’s operating costs.

Book a place on the Foraging Walk

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Join Uncomfortable York for a thought-provoking tour exploring the overlooked stories of women, people of colour, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Step beyond the city’s historic streets and discover York’s vibrant, diverse past, revealing a global city shaped by voices too often left out of traditional histories.

Wheelchair accessible: no stairs or curbs, but there are sometimes uneven pavements in the city centre and crowding on busy days.

To book a place call Uncomfortable York on telephone: 01865 538409, or email info@uncomfortableyork.com.

 

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  • Location: North Street Gardens
  • Date and time: Sunday 28 September, 10.00am
  • Duration: 1 hour and 15 minutes

A creative walk shaping the stories of water, climate and community

Join us for the soft launch of the York Rivers Trail – a new way to experience the rivers that shape our city. Blending art, science and local voices, explore how York is responding to the climate crisis through creativity, nature-based solutions, and community action.

Expect an hour of connection, conversation and new perspectives on York’s rivers.

Suitable for all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Book a place on the York Rivers Trail

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