After twenty-four hours of peak indulgence, escaping the house isn't just a choice; it’s a biological necessity.
Plus, what better way to get the steps in on that new smart watch you may have received yesterday than to forgo the hustle and bustle of the inner-city and instead, get back to nature with a festive walk, should the weather be fitting for such an occasion...
... and, of course, the belly full of food has not led to a Christmas food-coma, which can often be the case.
But not all walks are created equal. To help you choose your mission, we’ve rounded up nine local strolls and categorized each route by the specific "festive damage" it’s designed to undo.
1. Roundhay Park (LS8)
This is the ultimate Boxing Day people-watching spot, suitable for families, new prams, and those wanting to see every other person in North Leeds doing exactly the same thing. A brisk 3km loop of Waterloo Lake is just enough to negate that third helping of roast potatoes you swore you wouldn't eat | Steve Riding
2. Leeds-Liverpool Canal (LS5)
This is for the "choose your own adventure" walkers who want a flat, easy path that avoids any uphill struggles. Walking from Kirkstall Forge to Rodley and back covers enough flat mileage to tackle that after-dinner cheese board and the entire sleeve of crackers you finished during the 60s-movie marathon. | Petreanor Hardacre
3. Kirkstall Abbey (LS5)
If you want high-impact scenery with minimal physical effort, a wander around these 800-year-old Cistercian ruins is for you. The gentle riverside walk is perfectly calibrated to offset that giant Boxing Day breakfast sandwich you made with the leftover crusty bread. | Simon Hulme
4. Temple Newsam (LS15)
This stately circuit is a dream for dog walkers and those looking for that "stately home" aesthetic for their Instagram grid. The 6km perimeter bridle-path has enough gentle inclines to work through the heaviest of desserts, specifically that Christmas pudding and brandy butter. | Submitted
5. Meanwood Valley Trail (LS6)
This is the choice for adventurers who want to feel like they’ve left the city without actually leaving the city. Following the beck through the woods to the Seven Arches is the ideal way to sweat out the dozen-or-so festive chocolates you pilfered from the tin while everyone else was sleeping. | Yorkshire Post Newspapers
6. Otley Chevin Forest Park (LS21)
This one is for the serious walkers who want to reach the highest point in the district and breathe in some proper Wharfedale air. This is the heavy lifter of the list; climbing to the Surprise View is the only thing in Leeds powerful enough to challenge the calorie count of a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings. | Tony Johnson