Kippax Circular Walk

Michael Palmer
May 18
5 min read

Updated: Aug 6

Kippax Circular Walk – 3.43 Miles in West Yorkshire

Looking for a nice easy circular walk near Leeds? This 3.43-mile Kippax Circular Walk explores the historic village of Kippax and the surrounding West Yorkshire countryside.

Lyn and I personally walked, photographed and GPS recorded this route for The White Shire. We found it to be a nice, easy walk and, at under three and a half miles, it's a good choice if you're looking for a shorter route without anything too demanding.

Kippax itself also has plenty of history. From its early origins and medieval past to limestone quarrying and coal mining, the village has changed considerably over the centuries.

Discover more West Yorkshire circular walks

Kippax Circular Walk at a Glance

Distance: 3.43 miles

Route type: Circular

Difficulty: Easy

Location: Kippax, West Yorkshire

Area: Leeds

Terrain: Village paths, countryside tracks and field paths

Highlights: Kippax village, surrounding countryside, local history and former mining landscape

Walked and photographed by: Michael and Lyn Palmer, The White Shire

About the Kippax Circular Walk

At 3.43 miles, this is one of our shorter White Shire walks.

Lyn and I found it nice and easy, making it a good option if you fancy getting outside for a few hours without committing yourself to a longer route.

Kippax sits on the eastern side of Leeds, but it doesn't take long before you're able to leave the more built-up surroundings and explore the countryside around the village.

That's one of the things we enjoy about walking around this part of West Yorkshire.

You can be surprisingly close to Leeds, Castleford and other busy towns while still finding footpaths, fields and landscapes with centuries of history behind them.

Kippax: A Brief History

Kippax is one of the historic settlements of West Yorkshire, with origins stretching back many centuries.

Its position on higher ground above the surrounding landscape made it a natural place for settlement, while agriculture shaped much of the countryside around the village for generations.

Over time Kippax developed from a rural settlement into a much larger community, particularly as industry and coal mining transformed this part of Yorkshire.

Today, the village combines its older historic core with later development, while the surrounding countryside still provides plenty of opportunities for walking.

If you enjoy discovering the history behind the places we visit, explore Yorkshire attractions and historic places to visit.

Medieval Kippax

During the medieval period, Kippax developed around its manor, church and surrounding agricultural land.

Farming was central to village life, with the surrounding fields providing work and food for the local community.

The geology beneath Kippax also influenced its development.

Limestone was quarried locally and used as a building material, leaving another mark on the character of the village and surrounding landscape.

Kippax and Coal Mining

Like many communities around Leeds, Wakefield and Castleford, Kippax was transformed by coal mining.

As demand for coal increased during the Industrial Revolution, pits developed around this part of West Yorkshire.

Mining brought employment and population growth, changing Kippax from a predominantly rural community into one increasingly shaped by industry.

Homes, shops, chapels and other buildings developed to serve the growing population.

For generations of families, mining became an important part of everyday life.

From Mining Village to Modern Kippax

The decline of the Yorkshire coal industry brought another major period of change.

The pits eventually disappeared, but the influence of mining hasn't completely vanished.

Former industrial land has been reclaimed, communities have changed and nature has gradually returned to areas that were once dominated by industry.

It's something Lyn and I notice on quite a few of our walks around West Yorkshire.

What looks like peaceful countryside today can have an industrial story hidden beneath it.

Exploring Kippax Today

Modern Kippax is a large village with shops, community facilities and residential areas, but its position means countryside is still within easy reach.

That's what makes it useful as a starting point for a shorter walk.

You can explore the village and then head out onto paths through the surrounding landscape.

For us, these are often some of the most interesting White Shire walks.

They aren't necessarily about dramatic scenery or famous tourist attractions.

They're about discovering somewhere close to home that you might otherwise never have taken the time to explore properly.

Is the Kippax Circular Walk Difficult?

No.

Lyn and I found the Kippax Circular Walk to be an easy walk.

At only 3.43 miles, it's also one of our shorter routes.

That makes it a good choice if you're looking for an easy circular walk around Leeds without committing to a long day of walking.

As always, countryside conditions can change following wet weather, so sensible walking footwear is recommended.

How Long is the Kippax Circular Walk?

Our GPS-recorded Kippax Circular Walk is approximately 3.43 miles.

How long it takes will depend on your own pace and how often you stop.

We tend not to rush.

Part of the enjoyment for Lyn and me is stopping to take photographs, look at interesting buildings and discover a little more about the places we're walking through.

Where is Kippax?

Kippax is situated in West Yorkshire on the eastern side of Leeds.

It's close to Garforth, Great Preston, Allerton Bywater and Castleford, making it convenient for people looking for easy circular walks around east Leeds and the surrounding West Yorkshire area.

Its location also means you can reach open countryside relatively quickly despite being within the wider Leeds district.

Is Kippax Good for Walking?

We think it's worth exploring.

Kippax might not immediately spring to mind when you think about walking in Yorkshire, but that's part of its appeal.

The village sits amongst countryside with a mixture of agricultural, quarrying and mining history.

For us, a walk doesn't always need a mountain, waterfall or famous landmark.

Sometimes it's simply about finding somewhere different, putting on your walking shoes and seeing what you discover.

When is the Best Time to Walk Around Kippax?

This is the sort of shorter countryside walk that can be enjoyed throughout much of the year.

Spring and summer naturally bring greener countryside and longer daylight hours, while autumn gives the surrounding landscape a different character.

Following prolonged rain, field paths can become muddy, so we'd recommend checking the weather and choosing appropriate footwear.

Because the route is relatively short, it's also useful when you only have part of a day available.

Explore More of West Yorkshire

If you've enjoyed discovering Kippax, there are plenty more places to explore with us.

Discover more West Yorkshire circular walks and find another route personally walked, photographed and GPS recorded by Michael and Lyn.

Or explore our complete collection of Yorkshire circular walks, covering routes across West, North, South and East Yorkshire.

Looking for somewhere else to visit? Discover Yorkshire attractions and interesting places to explore.

You can also see what's on in West Yorkshire for events, shows, festivals and ideas for your next day out.

About Michael and Lyn

Michael and Lyn Palmer explore Yorkshire together on foot, personally walking, photographing and GPS recording the routes featured on The White Shire.

Our walking guides combine first-hand experience with practical route information, local history and the character of the towns, villages and countryside we discover along the way.

We're not professional hikers – we simply enjoy getting out together, finding somewhere interesting to walk and discovering more of Yorkshire as we go.

Kippax is a good example of that – a nice, easy local walk with far more history behind the surrounding landscape than you might initially expect.

Kippax Circular Walk

View our GPS-recorded 3.43-mile Kippax Circular Walk on Komoot and use the route to help plan your own walk around Kippax and the surrounding West Yorkshire countryside.

Take your time, enjoy the walk and keep an eye out for the clues to Kippax's rural and industrial past along the way.