We’re lucky in Leeds; while we have the hustle of the city centre, we are effectively surrounded by some of the most varied landscapes in the UK.
Whether you’re looking for a legs-on-fire vertical climb to earn your Sunday roast, a peaceful reservoir loop to clear the cobwebs, or a hidden woodland trail where you won't see another soul, you don't have to travel far.
In fact, almost everything on this list is within a 60-minute drive of the Town Hall (traffic permitting!).
From the "Little Switzerland" of the Calder Valley to the "Big Sky" vibes of our local nature reserves, here are 13 of the best walks to help you rediscover our doorstep as February starts the pre-spring thaw.
1. Otley Chevin (25 minutes)
This is the quintessential Leeds hike for a reason. While the Surprise View is famous for its sudden, breath-taking panorama over the Wharfe Valley and the town of Otley below, the Chevin Forest Park offers a sprawling network of craggy paths and woodland trails. On a clear day, you can see as far as the York Minster to the east and the looming peaks of the Dales to the north. | Tony Johnson
2. Ilkley Moor (40 minutes)
Steeped in local legend and the unofficial anthem of Yorkshire, Ilkley Moor feels like a different world despite being just 40 minutes from the city. The walk up to the Cow and Calf rocks is a rite of passage, offering rugged, heather-clad terrain and a sense of isolation that’s hard to find so close to a major city. | Tony Johnson
3. Harewood House Circular (20 minutes)
You don’t actually need to pay the house entry fee to enjoy these spectacular grounds. The public bridleway that loops around the estate offers a 5-mile trek through manicured parklands, ancient woodland, and the sprawling deer park. It’s one of the best spots for wildlife photography in the region, as the Red Kites are almost always circling overhead in search of their next meal. | James Hardisty
4. St Aidan’s RSPB (20 minutes)
This is a massive nature park built on the site of a former open-cast mine, and the transformation is staggering. It’s a landscape of vast wetlands, reedbeds, and lakes that feels incredibly open and big-sky. Because it’s so flat, it’s a great choice for a brisk walk where you want to cover a lot of ground quickly while spotting rare birds like Bitterns or Marsh Harriers. | Lee McLean/SWNS
5. Mam Tor (55 minutes)
Known as the Shivering Mountain, this is the best ridge walk in the North. Standing at the summit, you get a 360-degree look at the Edale Valley and the dark peak of Kinder Scout. Use the National Trust Mam Nick car park to hit the summit in under 20 minutes. It’s perfect for a high-reward, low-effort sunrise or sunset hike. | Jason Chadwick
6. Rawdon Billing (20 minutes)
A hidden gem for locals, "The Billing" is the highest point in the area and provides an incredible vantage point for aviation geeks—you are essentially level with the planes taking off from LBA. Park at Jubilee Hall and follow the path up to the trig point. Look for the large concrete blocks nearby; they are the remains of a WWII anti-aircraft battery built to protect the nearby aircraft factory. | Gerard Binks