Homepage

Welcome to our website - Your walks start here!

Who we are
Walkers are Welcome was launched in 2006 as a nationwide initiative to encourage towns across Britain to be welcoming to walkers and to boost local businesses. Otley, in West Yorkshire, was accredited as a Walkers are Welcome town in September 2008, and now over eighty such towns exist in all regions of the country.

Our Aims
to further promote Otley as an outstanding and attractive destination for walkers;
to offer visitors waymarked and well documented walks, starting and finishing in Otley;
to provide a variety of walks to suit walkers with different interests and fitness levels;
to encourage the use of public transport to and from Otley and within Wharfedale.

Our Town
Our charming historic market town, 10 miles northwest of Leeds, nestles below the forested Chevin ridge at one of the oldest crossing points on the river Wharfe.

Before and after your walk stroll around the quaint streets and ginnels, visit the street markets and shops, and relax in one of our many pubs, cafes and restaurants. Find out more at the tourist information desk at our local library, and enjoy entertainment and facilities at the Otley Courthouse arts and resource centre.

Our Walking Opportunities
Since our beginning as a Walkers are Welcome town in September 2008
we have developed and published four distinct opportunities for walkers
at all levels of ability:
Otley Four Walks -
A leaflet containing four walks of between 2 and 6.5 miles all starting
and finishing at the Jubilee Clock in Otley’s Market Square. These
can be purchased by email or from in town at the Otley Library,
Chevin Trek, Just books or Browse Time.
see next page for details

Six Dales Trail -
A thirty-eight mile route from Otley to Middleham, traversing
the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including
six unique dales each with its own distinct character. A forty-
five page book has been published to accompany this walk.
click Six Dales Trail pages for details

The Tea Room Stroll -
A four mile stroll from Cock Pit Farm Tea Rooms.
A route map with written directions is available for £1.00 at
the Tea Rooms or telephone 01943 464689 for postal delivery.

On Foot to Otley -
From Chevin Country Park Hotel. A leaflet giving a description
of the route is available from the hotel.

The Honey House Ramble -
A four or five mile ramble from the Honey House at Braythrone.
A route map and written directions is available for £1.00 at the Honey House or
telephone 0113-2842982 for postal delivery.

Other walking opportunities in Otley include:
Otley Walkers -
A community based walking group offering weekly walks in West
and North Yorkshire.
click Otley Walkers at the top of the page for details

Annual Walking Festival -
23rd June to 1st July 2012 - go to www.otleywalkingfestival.btck.co.uk for details

Otley Short Walks -
Led by volunteers as part of the Walking the Way to Health Initiative. The group
meets weekly for walks of between 50 minutes and 1.5 hours.
contact sheila_towning@hotmail.com for further details