6 hikes showcasing the best of the North of England

There’s something quietly dramatic about northern England in autumn. The trees burn gold and russet, the moorlands turn to velvet brown, and reservoirs reflect skies that are rarely still. It’s the time of year that begs for walking boots and a flask of tea.

Here are six walks that showcase the best of the north when the temperature drops and the leaves begin to fall:

1. Hardcastle Crags, Calder Valley
   

   Tucked into a wooded valley near Hebden Bridge, Hardcastle Crags is a patchwork of beech, oak and sycamore – all of which light up brilliantly in October. This National Trust site offers a range of waymarked routes, but a favourite is the 9km circular past Gibson Mill and Lumb Falls. Expect mossy woodland paths, rushing streams, and a gentle sense of stepping back in time. There’s a small café at the mill, and Hebden Bridge’s cafés and bookshops are the perfect post-walk potter.

Walking Distance: 3-8 miles

Distance from Leeds: approx. 45 mins / Manchester: 30 mins by train

2. Derwent Valley & Alport Castles, Peak District

   
   Start from the Fairholmes Visitor Centre, where Derwent Dam towers like a film set (it featured in The Dam Busters), and follow the reservoir path before climbing to Alport Castles – a jaw-dropping rock formation created by a landslip. The route is long but rewarding, taking you through forest, moorland and up into dramatic views. In autumn, the mist clings to the valley and the hills turn bronze. It feels cinematic, isolated, and wild.

Walking Distance: 6-8 miles

Distance from Sheffield: approx. 50 mins / Manchester: 1 hr

 

3. Riding Wood Reservoir, Holme Valley

   
   This lesser-known route near Holmfirth offers a gentler kind of walk. A loop around Ramsden and Riding Wood Reservoirs takes in quiet lanes, sheep-dotted fields, and woodland just starting to turn. You’ll pass dry stone walls, old farm buildings, and maybe the odd Highland cow. It’s the sort of walk you do on a slow Sunday, finished off with a pint by the fire at a local pub like The Fleece Inn. Calm, colourful (and very Yorkshire!).

Walking Distance: 3-8 miles

Distance from Huddersfield: approx. 25 mins / Leeds: 1 hr / Manchester: 1 hr

4. Chee Dale Stepping Stones, Upper Wye Valley

   
   Short but unforgettable, this circular Peak District walk begins at Millers Dale and drops into a limestone gorge where the path hugs the river. Two sets of stepping stones add a splash of adventure, especially when leaves drift on the current and cliffs tower above you. The return along the Monsal Trail is flat and easy. It’s a walk that punches above its weight for drama, especially in October when the trees frame the water like a painting.

Walking Distance: 4-7 miles

Distance from Buxton: approx. 20 mins / Manchester: 1 hr

5. Winnats Pass & Mam Tor, Hope Valley

   
   No autumn walking list is complete without at least one visit to Mam Tor. Start in Castleton and walk up through Winnats Pass – a winding, steep-sided valley where shadows play across the limestone. From here, follow the ridge up to Mam Tor for views across Edale and Hope Valley. The light in autumn exaggerates every curve and dip in the landscape. This is Peak District walking at its finest: short, steep, and unforgettable.

Walking Distance: 3-8 miles

Distance from Sheffield: approx. 50 mins / Manchester: 1 hr

6. Rail Trail to Mallyan Spout, Goathland

   
   Start in Goathland, better known to some as Aidensfield from Heartbeat, or for its charming old railway station seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. From the village, wander into ancient woodland along the rail trail and follow signs to Mallyan Spout waterfall. The paths twist through trees and over roots, past mossy boulders and bubbling becks. It’s a gentle, timeless walk with a touch of magic, especially when autumn light filters through the canopy.

Walking Distance: 3-6 miles

Distance from York: approx. 1 hr / Leeds: 1 hr 45 mins

Good to knows:

• Some routes can be muddy or slippery after rain – waterproof boots are your friend.
• Hardcastle Crags, Goathland and Holme Valley are best for easier rambles, while Alport Castles and Mam Tor suit those after bigger climbs.
• Always check the weather and have a map or GPX route downloaded.

Whether you’re in the mood for craggy drama or calm reflections, the north delivers in spades. Bring layers, walk early, and take it slow. Because that’s what autumn’s all about.