Planning a day out walking from York but don’t have a car? There are plenty of great walks that are accessible from York without a car. This has been a much-requested post and perfect if you’ve already done some of the best walks in and around York! There are a lot of options for hikes around York that you can do with public transportation – both close to the city center, and further afield in Yorkshire.
While there are some good transport links in the Yorkshire Dales, they often involve multiple changes and simply take a lot longer to get to from York. This can be difficult if you’re planning just a day hike, and needing to get back to York in the evening after your walk. So this post does focus more on walks in the North York Moors, which are a bit more convenient from York. Here are the best car-free walks from York!
Car-Free Walks Around York
The York Solar System Trail
This linear hike starts near the Askham Bar Park & Ride, outside of York city center. It follows a paved cycle route, and showcases a scale model of the solar system along the way. You can see scale models of each of the different planets, and there are signposts which tell you the distance to the next planet – both on the scale model trail, and the distance in space! The walk finishes in Riccall, where you can take the bus back to York.
Distance: 6.4 miles
Time: 2.5 hours
Transport Links: Bus 415
Read More: Discovering the York Solar System Trail
The Foss Walk (Blue Bridge to Haxby)
Another linear hike, you can sample part of the 28-mile Foss Walk as you follow the River Foss from the Blue Bridge in York upriver to Haxby. This is a fantastic way to get some peace and quiet away from the hustle and bustle of York, and stroll along the river out of the city. There is a bus stop on Towthorpe Road, close to where the public footpath along the River Foss comes out onto Landing Lane. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not do the entire Foss Walk? It’s easy to do over two days, and accessible with public transport!
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 2.5-3 hours
Transport Links: Bus Super13
Read More: The Foss Walk: Hiking the River Foss from York to Easingwold
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York to Bishopthorpe
One of my favorite walks in York is the walk along the River Ouse to Bishopthorpe. This is a perfect walk on a sunny day – you simply follow the river from Millennium Bridge all the way downstream to Bishopthorpe. Stop for a pint in the massive beer garden at the Ebor Inn, or treat yourself to a delicious meal at Bosun’s. You can do it as an out-and-back, which is just over 6 miles. Or if you only want to do half of the walk, you can get a bus from Bishopthorpe back to York.
Distance: 6.5 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Transport Links: Bus 11
Read More: York to Bishopthorpe: A Perfect Short Walk From York
Stamford Bridge and Kexby
Another excellent riverside ramble close to York is the walk between Stamford Bridge and Kexby along the River Derwent. While I have driven and parked in Kexby in the past, this walk is easily accessible with public transportation. Take the bus from York to Stamford Bridge, do the loop, then take the bus back to York at the end.
Distance: 8-8.5 miles
Time: 3-3.5 hours
Transport Links: Bus 10
Read More: The Best Walks In and Around York, England
Car-Free Walks in the Howardian Hills AONB
Kirkham Priory and the River Derwent
One of the best short walks in the Howardian Hills is from Kirkham Priory and along the River Derwent. The walk starts at Kirkham Priory, goes through woods and fields with spectacular views of the countryside, and then follows the river back. You can take the bus to Whitwell Hill on the A64, where it’s under a mile to walk to the starting point of the hike.
Distance: 5 miles
Time: 2-2.5 hours
Transport Links: Coastliner (840/843) to Whitwell Hill
Read More: Kirkham Priory: A Short Walk in the Howardian Hills
Castle Howard
Starting from the Castle Howard car park, this walk travels through Coneysthorpe, around the Great Lake, and through Bog Hall and Low Gaterley around the Castle Howard estate. This is a fantastic way to see more of the area around Castle Howard if you don’t want to visit the stately home itself (and pay the admission prices!). You can see the Temple of the Four Winds and the Mausoleum, along with the pyramid, on this walk.
Distance: 5 miles
Time: 2 hours
Transport Links: Castle Line to Castle Howard
Read More: A Christmas Trip to Castle Howard
Car-Free Walks in the North York Moors
Goathland and Grosmont
Goathland remains one of my favorite places in the North York Moors. This charming little village has been a filming location for both the TV show Heartbeat and the Harry Potter movies, and has the added bonus of being a short walk away from another village, Grosmont. The two villages are connected by a heritage railway line, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. I recommend doing the full loop, but if you’re after a shorter walk you can walk from Goathland to Grosmont and take the steam train back to Goathland.
Distance: 8 miles
Time: 4 hours
Transport Links: Coastliner (840) and North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Read More: Goathland to Grosmont: A Classic Hike in the North York Moors
Thornton-le-Dale and Ellerburn
Thorton-le-Dale is one of the prettiest villages in the North York Moors. The charming thatched cottage along the beck is a chocolate-box image you associate with the English countryside. This short walk starts in Thornton-le-Dale and passes through Ellerburn and into Dalby Forest. It then follows the beck back to Thornton-le-Dale. You can extend the walk to about 7.5 miles if you’d like to explore more of Dalby Forest!
Distance: 5-5.5 miles
Time: 2-2.5 hours
Transport Links: Coastliner (840)
Read More: 21 of the BEST Places to Visit in the North York Moors
Hole of Horcum
I’ve made no secret of it: the Hole of Horcum is my favorite hike in the country. It’s one of the best places to see the heather in bloom, and a simply spectacular part of Yorkshire! I have done this hike in every season, and I love it each and every time. While I always start the walk from Levisham – mainly so that I can end at the pub in Levisham at the end! – you can take the bus to Saltergate car park.
Distance: 5 miles
Time: 2-2.5 hours
Transport Links: Coastliner (840)
Read More: Hiking the Hole of Horcum in the North York Moors
Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay
One of the best coastal walks in Yorkshire, hiking from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay never disappoints. This linear walk follows the Cleveland Way, a 110-mile National Trail, and has spectacular sea views as you meander along the coast. You can get to Whitby by bus or by train (on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway), and travel back from Robin Hood’s Bay on Bus X93. Alternately, take the train to Scarborough, Bus X93 to Robin Hood’s Bay, and then take the Coastliner (840) bus back to York.
Distance: 6.5 miles
Time: 3.5 hours
Transport Links: Coastliner (840), train to Scarborough, or NYMR
Read More: Walking from Whitby to Robin Hood’s Bay: One of My Favorite Walks in Yorkshire
Helmsley and Rievaulx
Helmsley is a beautiful market town in the North York Moors – it’s full of independent shops and cafes to while away a day. The walk between Helmsley and Rievaulx Abbey is a must when in Yorkshire. The walk is really an out-and-back to Rievaulx Abbey and back, but you can extend it through Ashberry Farm and Ashberry Wood if you like. The seasonal MoorsBus M4 runs between Rievaulx and Helmsley at certain times during the summer, if you’d like to do just one half of the walk.
Distance: 6.5-8 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Transport Links: Bus 31X, MoorsBus M4
Read More: Visiting Rievaulx Abbey and Helmsley in North Yorkshire
Byland Abbey and Cockerdale
This short walk starts in Byland Abbey, heads through the village of Wass, and through Great Cockerdale Wood to Oldstead. From Oldstead, the route meanders across fields and farmland back to Byland Abbey, a stunning set of abbey ruins dating to the 12th century. There is a bus stop outside of the abbey, where there is also a tearoom and a (very) small car park.
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 2.5 hours
Transport Links: Bus 31X
Read More: The Best Abbeys in Yorkshire, England
Great Ayton and Roseberry Topping
There are so many different walks around Roseberry Topping. But if you’re planning the hike without a car, it’ll be easiest to get the train to Great Ayton station. There’s a short 4-mile loop that takes you to the summit of Roseberry Topping (also nicknamed “the Yorkshire Matterhorn”). But you can also extend the walk to visit Captain Cook’s Monument and Newton Moor, too.
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Transport Links: Train to Great Ayton
Read More: Hiking Roseberry Topping and Newton Moor
Car-Free Walks in the Yorkshire Dales
Grassington and Hebden
Explore the stunning scenery in the Yorkshire Dales around Grassington. This short walk takes you through the beautiful town of Grassington (one of the main film locations for All Creatures Great and Small!) and across fields and meadows to Hebden. You can extend the walk along the River Wharfe to Burnsall if you like, otherwise the return to Grassington is also along the banks of the River Wharfe. I did this walk before I had my own car, and used the Dales Bus service from York! If you have time, make sure to see Linton Falls and stroll over to the cute village of Linton.
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Transport Links (Seasonal): Dales Bus (822)
Read More: Exploring Wharfedale: Hiking from Grassington to Hebden in the Yorkshire Dales
Fountain’s Abbey and Studley Royal
Fountain’s Abbey is one of my favorite abbeys in the country – the ruins are magnificent and so atmospheric. While it’s technically in Nidderdale AONB as opposed to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, it’s right on the border. There is a short walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site and along the Seven Bridges Valley, past Plumpton Hall and back through Studley Royal Park. You can see so much more of the area on the walk – and it’s accessible from York by the Dales Bus service.
Distance: 4.5-5 miles
Time: 2-2.5 hours
Transport Links (Seasonal): Dales Bus (822)
Read More: Visiting the Magnificent Fountain’s Abbey and Studley Royal
Ilkley Moor
Home to the unofficial Yorkshire anthem (On Ilkla Moor Baht ‘at), Ilkely Moor is a beautiful moor and particularly pretty to visit when the purple heather is in bloom. Take the train (via Leeds) to Ilkley, then walk just over a mile to the Cow and Calf Rocks. From here, there are a myriad of trails to follow around the moor – but make sure you make it out to the Twelve Apostles Stone Circle.
Distance: 3-4 miles
Time: 1.5 hours
Transport Links: Train to Ilkley
Read More: The Best Places to See Heather in Bloom in Yorkshire
Planning Your Trip
Looking for somewhere to stay on your trip? There are plenty of accommodation options in York. You can search for hostels, or for hotels/B&Bs here.
If you’re visiting York by train, I always recommend booking tickets in advance on Trainline. If you’re flying, Leeds Bradford is the closest airport to York – but Manchester Airport is bigger and more convenient. I book flights on Skyscanner. Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more. Interested in taking a tour? Check out these tours from York!
While much of the British countryside is easiest to access with your own set of wheels, there are still a lot of options for hikes without a car. These walks, all starting in York, are excellent options for exploring more of Yorkshire using public transportation! I hope this guide helps in planning car-free walks from York to see more of the countryside.
What is your favorite car-free walk from York? Have you visited any of these areas with public transport?
You might also like my posts:
The Best Walks In and Around York, England
88 Incredible Places to Visit in Yorkshire
21 of the BEST Places to Visit in the North York Moors
The BEST Places to Visit in the Yorkshire Dales
Quintessential Yorkshire: The Best 4 Daytrips From York
All of my York posts and Yorkshire posts!
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[…] the city on a nice day. If you’re visiting the city but don’t have a car, check out the best car-free walks from York. But whether you live here or are just visiting, here are the best walks in and around […]
[…] The Best Car-Free Walks from York […]
[…] The Best Car-Free Walks From York, England […]
[…] walk—perfect for a morning or afternoon of exploring. Better yet, it’s a great option for a car-free walk from York. The Howardian Hills is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) just outside York, close to […]
[…] Whitby, and the Hole of Horcum) are accessible with public transportation. There are plenty of car-free walks from York, too! If you’d rather join a tour in Yorkshire, check out the options […]
[…] The walk from York to Bishopthorpe is just over 3 miles. Round-trip, it’s approximately 6.5 miles total. It took me a total of 3 hours, including almost an hour at the pub in Bishopthorpe. It’s a great option for a car-free walk from York. […]
[…] Wondering about public transportation? All of these places are accessible by public transportation! The Dales Bus runs seasonally from York to Fountains Abbey on the Fountains Flyer (#822) on Sundays and bank holidays in the summer (there’s no other direct public transport besides this service). You can take bus #181 from York to the Castle Howard parking lot. Whitby is accessible by the #840 Coastliner bus. The Coastliner also runs through the North York Moors, so if you want to get off at Thornton-le-Dale, the Hole of Horcum, or Goathland, it’s very easy! To reach Rievaulx, take the 31X bus from York to Helmsley. From Helmsley, take the M4 bus heading to Stokesley, and get off at Rievaulx Abbey. It can be tricky with bus times, but these daytrips are doable without a car! If you want to get outside, read more in my post on car-free walks from York. […]