Skipton Woods and Canal
Castle woods on the way out, canal on the way back. Skipton has better trail running on its doorstep than most people realise, and this circuit shows it.
Effort: Moderate distance, manageable climb
Underfoot: Mostly paths and tracks
E2·T1 — how we grade routes
Ducks and duckling on the canal
Mostly on runnable ground, but most runners still walk the steepest climbs.
An 11.5km circuit from Skipton threading through the castle woods, Skipton Rock, and the Leeds–Liverpool Canal towpath - varied terrain all within easy reach of the town centre.
Castle woods on the way out, canal on the way back. Skipton has better trail running on its doorstep than most people realise, and this circuit shows it.
The route
Starting near Skipton Castle, the route enters the castle woods - a strip of ancient woodland running north along the limestone escarpment above the town. The woods are managed and well-used, with clear paths on firm ground that stay runnable even in wet conditions.
The route follows the woodland edge north, passing Skipton Rock - the limestone crag that sits above the town - before swinging out through the northern fringe of the woods and connecting to the field paths above the Aire Valley. The return follows the Leeds–Liverpool Canal towpath south back into Skipton, passing the canal basin before a short run through town to the finish.
Total distance is 11.5km with 111m of ascent - the woodland section has some gentle climbing over the limestone, but the overall circuit is close to flat.
The woods
Skipton Castle Woods are one of the town's most accessible green spaces - centuries-old mixed woodland on a limestone ridge, with a network of paths that provide good running in all conditions. The limestone bedrock means drainage is excellent; these paths rarely become impassable. The castle itself (Norman motte and bailey, well-preserved and open to visitors) is worth a post-run look if you haven't been.
Skipton Rock is a small limestone outcrop above the town, providing the highest point on an otherwise low-key circuit. Views from the rock take in the Aire Valley south and the beginnings of the Dales to the north.
Canal return
The Leeds–Liverpool Canal towpath section through Skipton is well-maintained and popular with cyclists, families, and other towpath users. The canal basin in the town centre is one of the most active stretches of the canal in Yorkshire - narrowboats, the Springs Branch waterway, and the backdrop of the castle make for a distinctive finish.
On summer weekends, the canal basin fills quickly with visitors. The woods are quieter. Running early means having both sections largely to yourself.
Canal towpath shared with cyclists - particularly busy on summer weekends. Limestone paths can be slippery when wet.
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
Run by us· last checked June 2026
Jason Millward has run this route and written it up from the ground. How we check routes
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This is my go to easy recovery run. Canal and woods are both great sections and straight from town. Lovely
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