Best Trail Running Routes Near Skipton
Skipton sits right on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, and you don't need a car to get onto proper trail. The ten routes below all start in Skipton or a short bus ride away, and between them they cover 6.3km to 28.6km and 55m to 714m of climbing.
Best trail running routes near Skipton
Skipton sits right on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, and you don't need a car to get onto proper trail. The ten routes below all start in Skipton or a short bus ride away, and between them they cover 6.3km to 28.6km and 55m to 714m of climbing. There's a flat town-and-canal loop you can do in trainers, a steep little summit twenty minutes from the station, and a 28.6km Pennine Way push out to Pinhaw Beacon and back if you want a proper long day. Every route here has a free GPX download, an honest TRP Grade, and the practical detail — parking, terrain, transport — to help you pick the right one for what you've actually got time and legs for.
Why Skipton works as a base
Skipton doesn't get talked about much as a trail running town, which is odd given what's on its doorstep. The Leeds–Carlisle line puts you at the station, and Skipton Moor starts climbing within minutes of the last houses on the northwest edge of town. Embsay Crag and Sharp Haw are both reachable on foot from the centre. Bus services 12, 13, 72, 75 and 280 cover Skipton itself, and the 74/75 gets you out to Embsay Reservoir for the Barden Moor routes. If you're coming by train for the day, the shorter moor routes are genuinely doable without a car — something that's rare for trail running in the Dales.
The town also does the after-run part properly: a market on Mondays and Saturdays, a decent spread of cafes and pubs on the High Street, and the Devonshire Arms as the standard recommendation if you want food and a pint at the end.
How to choose
If you're short on time or new to trail running, start with Skipton Aireville Park and Woods — flat, well-surfaced, and five minutes from the station. If you want a quick taste of open moor without committing to a long day, Skipton Moor from Skipton gets you up and back in under two hours. If you're after the best views for the effort, Embsay Crag and Sharp Haw both deliver a proper summit feeling from a short, sharp climb. And if you want a proper long day out, Skipton Moor, Bolton Abbey and Barden Moor and Skipton to Pinhaw Beacon and Back are both pushing 28km — genuine long-adventure distance, not just the longest options on a short list.
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Difficulty | Best for | Terrain notes | Free GPX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skipton Aireville Park and Woods | 6.8km | 55m | Easy | Short run, beginners, train-friendly | Park paths, woodland, canal towpath | Yes |
| Skipton Canal and Stirton | 8.3km | 67m | Moderate | Flat miles, easy navigation | Canal towpath, field paths, town edge | Yes |
| Skipton Moor from Skipton | 6.3km | 254m | Moderate | Short climb from town | Moor track, rougher open ground | Yes |
| Embsay Crag from Skipton | 11.6km | 304m | Moderate | Views and moorland | Village approach, reservoir, gritstone crag | Yes |
| Skipton Moor to Bradley and Canal Back | 11.2km | 255m | Moderate | Varied town-to-moor loop | Moor, village, canal return | Yes |
| Skipton Woods and Canal | 11.5km | 111m | Moderate | Woodland and canal mix | Castle woods, Skipton Rock, canal towpath | Yes |
| Barden Moor from Embsay Reservoir | 18.3km | 519m | Hard | Longer moorland run | Open moor, Barden Bridge, river section | Yes |
| Welcome to Skipton | 23.6km | 618m | Very Hard | Big Skipton overview | Moor, canal, valley paths, countryside | Yes |
| Skipton to Pinhaw Beacon and Back | 28.6km | 444m | Very Hard | Long Pennine Way run | Canal, farmland, moorland, beacon | Yes |
| Skipton Moor, Bolton Abbey and Barden Moor | 28.3km | 714m | Very Hard | Long day out from Skipton | Skipton Moor, Bolton Abbey, Barden Moor | Yes |
Best short and easier trail running routes near Skipton
1. Skipton Aireville Park and Woods
This is the easiest route in the list and a good first choice if you want a short run from Skipton without committing to open moorland. At 6.8km with 55m of ascent, it links Aireville Park, woodland paths and the canal towpath.
It is useful for newer trail runners, recovery runs, travel days and anyone arriving by train. The terrain is mostly straightforward and the route stays close to town, so it is less committing than the moor routes. It is still a trail run rather than just a road loop, with enough woodland and towpath to make it feel worthwhile.
Shoes: road-to-trail shoes should be fine in most conditions. Parking: Aireville Park or Skipton town centre. Public transport: Skipton station is close to the start. Best use: easy local miles, first Skipton route, winter option when the moor is grim.
2. Skipton Canal and Stirton
The Skipton Canal and Stirton route is a flat, accessible 8.3km loop with 67m of ascent. It uses the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath before returning via field paths and the edge of town.
This is a good route when you want uncomplicated running rather than steep climbing. It suits steady mileage, newer trail runners and anyone who wants to keep navigation simple. The canal section is direct and runnable, while the Stirton return gives the loop more variety than an out-and-back.
Shoes: road-to-trail shoes in dry conditions; trail shoes if fields are wet. Parking: To confirm on the route page before travel. Public transport: Skipton is well served by rail. Best use: easy navigation, flatter training, winter miles if you want to avoid exposed moor.
3. Skipton Moor from Skipton
If you want the shortest route that still feels like proper trail running from Skipton, this is the one. It is only 6.3km, but with 254m of ascent it climbs quickly from town onto open moorland.
This route is useful when time is limited but you still want a proper climb. It is more demanding than the distance suggests, especially if the moor is wet or windy. It also gives a quick feel for what Skipton trail running is about: town start, sharp climb, rougher ground, open views, fast return.
Shoes: trail shoes recommended, especially after rain. Parking: To confirm. Public transport: Useful from Skipton station, but check the route start. Best use: short hill session, evening run, first taste of Skipton Moor.
Best moderate routes for proper trail running
4. Embsay Crag from Skipton
Embsay Crag from Skipton is an 11.6km moderate loop with 304m of ascent. It climbs through Embsay towards Embsay Reservoir and up to the gritstone outcrop of Embsay Crag.
This is one of the better mid-length options if you want views without taking on a long day. The route has a proper climb, open moorland feel and a clear high point. The upper section can be boggy after rain, and the gritstone can be slippery when wet, so it is worth choosing shoes with grip.
Shoes: trail shoes, with more grip in wet conditions. Parking: Skipton town centre or Embsay Reservoir, depending on how you run it. Public transport: Skipton station works well for the town start. Best use: views, moderate climb, first moorland run from Skipton.
5. Skipton Moor to Bradley and Canal Back
This 11.2km loop is one of the most useful all-round routes near Skipton. It climbs onto Skipton Moor, drops towards Bradley and returns along the canal. That gives you three different sections in one run: climb, village/field paths and flat towpath.
It is a good choice if you want something more satisfying than a short out-and-back but not as committing as the long moorland routes. The climb gives it enough effort, while the canal return makes the second half more runnable.
Shoes: trail shoes are sensible for the moor and field sections. Parking: To confirm. Public transport: Skipton station is useful if starting from town. Best use: varied training run, moderate effort, good introduction to the area.
6. Skipton Woods and Canal
Skipton Woods and Canal is an 11.5km moderate loop with 111m of ascent. It is a strong option when you want woodland and canal rather than exposed moor.
The route starts near Skipton Castle, threads through the woods and uses the Leeds and Liverpool Canal towpath. It is not a big climb route, but it gives a good mix of surfaces and keeps you close to town. This makes it useful in poor weather, for social runs, or for days when you want trail feel without being out on the tops.
Shoes: road-to-trail or light trail shoes in normal conditions. Parking: Skipton town centre. Public transport: Good access from Skipton station. Best use: woodland running, mixed surfaces, less exposed days.
Best long and tougher trail running routes near Skipton
7. Barden Moor from Embsay Reservoir
Barden Moor from Embsay Reservoir is an 18.3km hard loop with 519m of ascent. It is a bigger moorland route starting from Embsay Reservoir and linking open high ground with a drop towards Barden Bridge and the River Wharfe.
This is a better option once you are comfortable with the shorter Skipton and Embsay routes. The distance, exposed ground and climb make it more committing, but it avoids the very long distance of the 28km routes. It is a good stepping stone towards longer Dales runs.
Shoes: proper trail shoes. Parking: Embsay Reservoir start; check current parking arrangements before travel. Public transport: To confirm. Best use: moorland training, longer steady run, building towards bigger days.
8. Welcome to Skipton
Welcome to Skipton is a 23.6km very hard loop with 618m of ascent. It pulls together the wider Skipton picture: moorland, canal, valley paths and Craven countryside.
This is not the route to choose for a quick jog from town. It is a long run for runners who already know they are happy being out for several hours. The value is in how much of the local terrain it joins together. If you are visiting Skipton and want one route that gives a broad feel for the area, this is the bigger option.
Shoes: trail shoes with reliable grip. Parking: To confirm. Public transport: Skipton station may work depending on route start and finish. Best use: long training run, local area overview, steady day out.
9. Skipton to Pinhaw Beacon and Back via Pennine Way and Canal
At 28.6km with 444m of ascent, this is one of the longest routes in the Skipton set. It follows the canal and then links onto the Pennine Way towards Pinhaw Beacon before returning.
The challenge here is mainly distance rather than steep climbing. The route is useful for runners training for longer trail events who want a steady, runnable line with a clear objective. Because it uses canal and Pennine Way sections, navigation should be more manageable than rougher open fell routes, but you still need to carry the GPX and be ready for exposed weather near the top.
Shoes: trail shoes; consider comfort over grip if conditions are dry. Parking: To confirm. Public transport: Skipton start makes train access possible. Best use: long steady training, Pennine Way miles, out-and-back simplicity.
10. Skipton Moor, Bolton Abbey and Barden Moor
This 28.3km very hard loop has 714m of ascent and links Skipton Moor, Bolton Abbey and Barden Moor. It is the most complete long day in this list and the one that needs the most respect.
The route joins several landscapes that many runners would usually treat as separate outings. It climbs from Skipton Moor, drops towards Bolton Abbey, then takes in the higher ground of Barden Moor before returning. The distance, ascent and exposure make it suitable for experienced runners rather than casual visitors.
Shoes: trail shoes with grip and comfort for long mixed terrain. Parking: To confirm. Public transport: To confirm. Best use: big local day, ultra training, experienced trail runners.
Practical notes: terrain, parking, transport, shoes, weather and safety
Terrain ranges from fully surfaced canal towpath and park paths (Aireville Park, Canal and Stirton) through to open, sometimes pathless moorland (Barden Moor, Bolton Abbey/Barden Moor, Pinhaw Beacon). Mud ratings on the site run from 1/5 on the flattest canal and park routes up to 3/5 on the moor routes after rain — check the rating on each route page before you go, especially in winter.
Parking is straightforward for all ten routes. Most start from Skipton town centre car parks (Coach Street, Swadford Street, or pay-and-display near BD23 1AH for the Pinhaw Beacon route) or the free Yorkshire Water car park at Embsay Reservoir, which holds around 20 cars. The Bolton Abbey/Barden Moor route starts from free roadside parking on Shortbank Road (BD23 2TX) instead. Get there early on summer weekends if you're driving to the reservoir.
Shoes: a grippy trail shoe earns its keep on the moor routes — Embsay Crag, Sharp Haw, Skipton Moor, Barden Moor, and the two long routes all have loose or boggy sections where a road-leaning shoe will let you down. For the canal and park routes you can get away with something less aggressive. See our trail running shoes guide for current recommendations — kit is secondary to the route itself, so don't let gear choice be the thing that stops you going.
Weather and safety: several of these routes cross open, exposed moorland with no shelter — Embsay Crag, Sharp Haw, Skipton Moor, both Barden Moor sections, and the moorland stretch near Pinhaw Beacon all fall into this category. Check the forecast before you head up, and be aware that Skipton Moor and Barden Moor are managed grouse moors with shooting from August to December — flags go up at access points on shooting days, and those days should be avoided. The moorland approach to Pinhaw Beacon is also grouse shooting country, with the season running 12 August to 10 December and no shooting on Sundays. If you need help and have no signal, you can text 999 (pre-register first by texting "register" to 999) and ask for Police, who'll connect you to Mountain Rescue. Read more in our trail running safety guide.
Free GPX, route reports and photos
Every route on this list has a free GPX download — no email gate, no account needed. If you run one of these and the conditions have changed, add a condition report on the route page so the next person knows what they're walking — or running — into. We also take route submissions if you've got something local that isn't on the site yet, and reviews, photos and "I've run this" markers all help keep the route pages honest and current.
FAQ section
Where can I run trails near Skipton?
Skipton Moor, Embsay Crag and Sharp Haw all start within a few kilometres of Skipton town centre, with Barden Moor and Burnsall and Appletreewick a short drive or bus ride out towards Embsay and the Wharfe valley. All ten routes above are mapped, graded and available as free GPX downloads.
What is the easiest trail run near Skipton?
Skipton Aireville Park and Woods (6.8km, 55m ascent) is the easiest route on this list — flat paths through the park, woodland and a stretch of canal towpath, five minutes from the train station.
Is there a trail running route in Skipton I can reach by train?
Yes. Skipton Moor from Skipton starts around ten minutes' walk from Skipton train station, and several other routes — including Sharp Haw and Skipton to Pinhaw Beacon and Back — start from the town centre, a five-minute walk from the station.
What's the toughest trail run near Skipton?
Skipton Moor, Bolton Abbey and Barden Moor (28.3km, 714m ascent) and Skipton to Pinhaw Beacon and Back (28.6km) are the two hardest routes here, both graded Very Hard. Sharp Haw has the steepest short climb of any route on the list, despite its shorter overall distance.
Are these routes free to download?
Yes — every route on Trail Running Planet has a free GPX download with no account or email required.
Is Skipton Moor dangerous for running?
Skipton Moor and Barden Moor are managed grouse moors, with shooting from August to December — check for flags at access points on shooting days and avoid the moor when they're up. Both are also exposed with no shelter, so check the forecast before heading out and tell someone your route and expected return time. Our safety guide covers what to carry and what to do if something goes wrong.
Can I run these routes in winter?
The canal and park routes (Aireville Park, Canal and Stirton) hold up well in winter and have the lowest mud ratings on this list. The moor routes get considerably boggier after rain — check the mud rating on each route page before you go.
Do I need a car to run near Skipton?
No. Several of these routes — Skipton Moor, Sharp Haw, Embsay Crag and Skipton to Pinhaw Beacon and Back — start from Skipton town centre, within walking distance of the train station. Barden Moor and Burnsall and Appletreewick are reachable by local bus, and the longer Bolton Abbey/Barden Moor loop starts around 2km from the station — an easy warm-up jog or a short bus hop.