Leeds Country Way

Statistics and Files

 

 

Summary: The Leeds Country Way is a circular long distance footpath of 62 miles which encircles the city of Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. It is never more than 7 miles from Leeds City Square. Despite being do close to the city the walk is mainly rural with much to enjoy including extensive views to the West and North Yorkshire countryside in the outlying areas of the Leeds metropolitan district. It follows public rights of way including footpaths, bridleways and minor lanes, with just a few short sections along roads. Some significant places visited en route and clockwise from Golden Acre Park include the grounds of Harewood House, Bardsey, Thorner, Barwick-in-Elmet, Garforth, Swillington Park, River Calder, north Wakefield, West Ardsley, Gildersome, Cockers Dale, Pudsey, Airedale, Greengates and Horsforth.

History: A route was first devised by Fred Andrews of the Ramblers Association, and then developed by West Yorkshire County Council in the early 1980s. This council was abolished in 1986, and the path is now under the care of the Countryside section of Leeds City Council. The Leeds Country Way was realigned in 2006, using a route devised by Bob Brewster, to bring it entirely within the boundary of the Leeds metropolitan district (previously it crossed the boundary into Wakefield), and the path was officially relaunched on 26 September 2006 with a revised set of map leaflets and improved waymarking.

The files for download are of the new 2006 updated routes.