How many trail running routes are there in North Yorkshire?

There are 5 trail running routes in North Yorkshire on Trail Running Planet, covering 3 areas. All routes include free GPX downloads and honest grading.

What is the average route length in North Yorkshire?

The average distance is 16.5km, with routes ranging from easy valley loops to a solid half-day out. Total ascent across all routes is 1,081m.

Are there dog-friendly trail runs in North Yorkshire?

Yes — 5 of the routes in North Yorkshire are marked dog-friendly. Look for the dog-friendly chip on route cards, or use the filter above the route grid.

Can I reach trail runs in North Yorkshire by public transport?

5 routes in North Yorkshire are accessible by bus or train. Look for the bus/train chip on route cards, or check the getting there section on individual route pages.

Is there parking at trail running routes in North Yorkshire?

5 routes in North Yorkshire have a parking postcode listed. Check individual route pages for full parking details.

Do I need to register to download GPX files for North Yorkshire routes?

No. All GPX downloads on Trail Running Planet are free with no account, no email gate, and no paywall — including every route in North Yorkshire.

Trail running routes in North Yorkshire

Town-to-trail running from Harrogate and Scarborough: woodland, gorge and seafront loops you can start from the railway station.

Routes

16.5km

Avg distance

1,081m

Total ascent

Areas

Harrogate Nidd Gorge Scarborough

Which route should I choose?

5 routes in North Yorkshire, from 6.5 km to 32.3 km. If it is your first time here, start with the easy group below. Every route has a free GPX file, a TRP grade and a note on parking and transport.

Checked: 5 run by TRP. Each route page says which.

First trail run here

Low effort, easy ground, shortest first.

Harrogate Valley Gardens and Pinewoods Loop · 6.5 km · 133 m · Easy
Nidd Gorge and the Nidderdale Greenway · 14.2 km · 140 m · Moderate
North Bay Promenade, Cross Lane and Green Lane · 14.6 km · 220 m · Moderate
Red Scar Lane, Station Road and North Bay Promenade · 14.9 km · 154 m · Moderate

Firm underfoot in wet weather

Lowest mud rating in the region.

North Bay Promenade, Cross Lane and Green Lane · 14.6 km · 220 m · Moderate
Red Scar Lane, Station Road and North Bay Promenade · 14.9 km · 154 m · Moderate
Harrogate Valley Gardens and Pinewoods Loop · 6.5 km · 133 m · Easy

By train or bus

Starts you can reach without a car.

Harrogate Valley Gardens and Pinewoods Loop · 6.5 km · 133 m · Easy
Nidd Gorge and the Nidderdale Greenway · 14.2 km · 140 m · Moderate
North Bay Promenade, Cross Lane and Green Lane · 14.6 km · 220 m · Moderate
Red Scar Lane, Station Road and North Bay Promenade · 14.9 km · 154 m · Moderate
Harrogate Ringway · 32.3 km · 434 m · Hard

Compare all 5 routes in one table

Route	Distance	Climb	Grade	Ground	Getting there
Harrogate Valley Gardens and Pinewoods Loop	6.5 km	133 m	Easy	woodland	Bus or train
Nidd Gorge and the Nidderdale Greenway	14.2 km	140 m	Moderate	woodland	Bus or train
North Bay Promenade, Cross Lane and Green Lane	14.6 km	220 m	Moderate	path	Bus or train
Red Scar Lane, Station Road and North Bay Promenade	14.9 km	154 m	Moderate	path	Bus or train
Harrogate Ringway	32.3 km	434 m	Hard	path	Bus or train

Sort:

5 routes

HARD

Harrogate Ringway

32.3km · 434m climb · Loop

It rings an entire spa town on green corridors most locals never knew were joined up, so you get a proper long run without leaving Harrogate's doorstep.

No car neededDog friendly

Checked Jul 2026

EASY

Harrogate Valley Gardens and Pinewoods Loop

6.5km · 133m climb · Loop

You get woodland singletrack and formal gardens inside a spa town, so it feels like a proper trail run without any drive to a trailhead.

Good for beginnersNo car needed

MODERATE

Nidd Gorge and the Nidderdale Greenway

14.2km · 140m climb · Loop

You swap a smooth former-railway path for hidden gorge singletrack above the River Nidd, with a chance of kingfishers and herons and a spectacular seven-arch viaduct on the way.

Good for beginnersNo car needed

MODERATE

North Bay Promenade, Cross Lane and Green Lane

14.6km · 220m climb · Loop

It's a genuinely flat, fast loop that mixes proper sea views with quiet countryside lanes minutes from the town centre, so you get variety without needing a car to reach the start.

Good for beginnersNo car needed

MODERATE

Red Scar Lane, Station Road and North Bay Promenade

14.9km · 154m climb · Loop

This is about as flat as trail running gets in this part of Yorkshire, which makes it the route to reach for on a fast-effort day or when you're carrying a niggle that a hillier route would aggravate.

Good for beginnersNo car needed

Races in North Yorkshire

All North Yorkshire races →

The next races starting in North Yorkshire, with runner reviews and what people wore where we have them. Train on the routes above.

Nov

2026

The Grim Reservoir Dogs

Swinsty & Fewston Reservoir car park, North Lane, near Otley · It's Grim Up North Running

A run with your dog round Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs on good woodland trail, one 3.3-mile loop or two. A fun dog race, not run under canicross rules.

3.3 & 6.7 miles

Entries open

£18–£29

Nov

2026

Swinsty & Fewston Lakeside Dash

Swinsty & Fewston Reservoir car park, North Lane, near Otley · It's Grim Up North Running

The 6.7-mile loop of Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs on well-kept trail, run once, twice, three or four times for the half, the twenty and the marathon. Everything starts at nine.

6.7 miles, 21.1 km, 20 miles & 42.2 km

Entries open

£29–£43

Nov

2026

Moonlight Meander

Swinsty & Fewston Reservoir car park, North Lane, near Otley · It's Grim Up North Running

Swinsty and Fewston in the pitch dark: one or two laps of the 3.3-mile woodland loop by head torch, fairy lights and whatever else you bring.

3.3 & 6.7 miles

Runs through the night

Entries open

£17–£29

Feb

2027

Harrogate Hustle

Harrogate, North Yorkshire · Punk Panther

A wide loop of the spa town on good country paths. The kindest way into ultra distance in Yorkshire.

13, 20 & 34 milesup to 752 m climb

Navigation required

HARD TO VERY HARD

Entries open

About running in North Yorkshire

Town-to-trail running from Harrogate and Scarborough: woodland, gorge and seafront loops you can start from the railway station.

Five routes, all on good paths and all doable in any season. Harrogate gives you Valley Gardens and the Pinewoods at 6.5km, the Nidd Gorge and Nidderdale Greenway at 14km, and the 32km Harrogate Ringway around the whole town. Scarborough has two 15km loops linking the North Bay promenade with the lanes behind it. None of them needs a car, a map or much climbing — this is the region for a hard, simple run when the hills are out of reach. Every route has a free GPX download and an honest TRP Grade.

Safety reminder

In an emergency call 999 or 112 — ask for Police then Mountain Rescue.

No signal? Pre-register emergency SMS: text register to 999.

Safety guides →

Common questions

: There are 5 trail running routes in North Yorkshire on Trail Running Planet, covering 3 areas. All routes include free GPX downloads and honest grading.
: The average distance is 16.5km, with routes ranging from easy valley loops to a solid half-day out. Total ascent across all routes is 1,081m.
: Yes — 5 of the routes in North Yorkshire are marked dog-friendly. Look for the dog-friendly chip on route cards, or use the filter above the route grid.
: 5 routes in North Yorkshire are accessible by bus or train. Look for the bus/train chip on route cards, or check the getting there section on individual route pages.
: 5 routes in North Yorkshire have a parking postcode listed. Check individual route pages for full parking details.
: No. All GPX downloads on Trail Running Planet are free with no account, no email gate, and no paywall — including every route in North Yorkshire.