Otley Circular Walk
- Michael Palmer
- Jan 30, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Otley Circular Walk – 5.72
Looking for an easy circular walk around Otley? Our 5.72-mile Otley Circular Walk combines the historic market town with the beautiful countryside of Wharfedale and some uphill walking along the way.
Lyn and I personally walked, photographed and GPS recorded this route for The White Shire.
We'd rate it as easy overall, although there are uphill sections that require a little more effort.
At 5.72 miles, it's a good distance for a morning or afternoon walk, and Otley is an excellent place to explore before or after you've finished.
The combination of historic streets, the River Wharfe, surrounding countryside and the dramatic landscape of Otley Chevin makes this one of West Yorkshire's most interesting areas for walking.
Otley Circular Walk at a Glance
Distance: 5.72 miles
Route type: Circular
Difficulty: Easy overall – with uphill sections
Location: Otley
County: West Yorkshire
Area: Lower Wharfedale
Nearby: Ilkley, Menston, Guiseley and Leeds
Terrain: Countryside paths, tracks and hilly sections
Highlights: Otley, Wharfedale countryside, River Wharfe and views towards the Chevin
Walked and photographed by: Michael and Lyn Palmer, The White Shire
About Our Otley Circular Walk
Lyn and I found this a really enjoyable walk.
At 5.72 miles, it's long enough to feel like you've had a proper outing without becoming an all-day hike.
There are uphill sections, so don't expect a completely flat walk.
We found the climbing manageable and would still rate the route easy overall, but if you're not accustomed to hills, simply take your time.
The advantage of gaining height around Otley is obvious – you get some lovely views across Wharfedale.
Where is Otley?
Otley is a historic market town in Lower Wharfedale, around 10 miles northwest of Leeds.
It sits beside the River Wharfe with the distinctive ridge of Otley Chevin rising dramatically above the town.
That combination of town, river, countryside and hills makes Otley particularly good for walking.
You're close enough to Leeds for an easy day out but surrounded by a landscape that already begins to feel like the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales.
Otley: A Brief History
Otley's history stretches back much further than its modern market-town appearance suggests.
Evidence discovered around Otley Chevin shows that people were moving through this landscape in prehistoric times.
The town itself is thought to have developed during the Anglo-Saxon period.
Its name is believed to combine an early personal name such as Othe, Otho or Otta with an Old English word for a woodland clearing. (Visit Otley)
Otley's position beside the River Wharfe and important routes through the surrounding countryside helped the settlement grow.
Otley Becomes a Market Town
Markets became central to Otley's development.
Henry III granted Otley a market charter during the 13th century, helping establish the town as an important trading centre for the surrounding agricultural communities. (Visit Otley)
That market-town character survives today.
Otley still has a bustling centre with independent shops, pubs, cafés and traditional streets.
For Lyn and me, that's one of the attractions of walking here.
You can combine a countryside walk with somewhere genuinely interesting to explore afterwards.
Otley Chevin
You can't really talk about walking around Otley without mentioning the Chevin.
The dramatic ridge rises above the town and forms one of the area's most recognisable natural landmarks.
The name Chevin is thought to derive from an old word meaning a ridge.
People have used this landscape for thousands of years, with prehistoric finds, ancient rock markings and evidence of a Roman road all discovered around the Chevin. (Visit Otley)
Today, Chevin Forest Park is one of the best-known places for walking around Otley.
A Landscape with Thousands of Years of History
One of the things we love about Yorkshire walks is discovering just how long people have been using the same landscapes.
Around Otley Chevin, archaeologists have found flint tools and other evidence of prehistoric activity.
There is also prehistoric cup-and-ring rock art around the Chevin.
Later, a Roman road crossed the high ground, forming part of a route linking settlements across Yorkshire. (Visit Otley)
We might be walking these paths for enjoyment today, but people have been crossing this ridge for thousands of years.
All Saints Parish Church
Otley's All Saints Parish Church is one of the town's most important historic buildings.
The Grade I listed church contains surviving Norman features as well as fragments of three Saxon crosses.
Those Saxon remains provide evidence of Christian activity here long before the Norman Conquest. (Historic England)
It's well worth having a look at the church if your route takes you through the centre of Otley.
Old parish churches often tell you more about a Yorkshire town's history than almost any other building.
Otley and Thomas Chippendale
Otley also has a connection with one of the most famous names in British furniture design.
Thomas Chippendale was born in Otley in 1718.
He went on to become one of Britain's most influential furniture makers and designers, with the name Chippendale becoming internationally recognised.
It's another example of the surprising history you discover when you start looking beyond the countryside itself.
The Wharfedale Printing Press
Otley also played an important part in printing history.
The Wharfedale printing press was developed in Otley during the 19th century and helped revolutionise commercial printing.
It became successful internationally and contributed to the town's industrial growth. (Visit Otley)
Otley therefore has an interesting mixture of agricultural, industrial and commercial heritage rather than simply being an attractive old market town.
Walking Through Wharfedale
The surrounding landscape is one of the main reasons we enjoyed this route.
Wharfedale takes its name from the River Wharfe, which winds through some of Yorkshire's most beautiful countryside.
Around Otley, the valley is broad and green, with hills rising on either side.
As you gain height on the uphill sections, the views naturally improve.
That's your reward for getting the legs working.
The River Wharfe
The River Wharfe runs through Otley and is an important part of the town's character.
For centuries, rivers provided water, power and transport connections for Yorkshire communities.
Today, the Wharfe provides something rather different.
It's somewhere to walk, watch wildlife and simply enjoy the scenery.
Visit Otley even highlights the possibility of seeing salmon, otters and bats around the river, although wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. (Visit Otley)
Is the Otley Circular Walk Difficult?
Based on our experience, we'd rate the 5.72-mile route as easy overall.
However, there are uphill sections.
If you normally stick to completely flat walks, you'll notice them.
We didn't find the climbing particularly difficult, but it's worth knowing about before setting off.
Take the hills steadily and enjoy the views rather than trying to rush them.
What is the Terrain Like?
Expect a mixture of typical countryside surfaces.
Paths and tracks can naturally become muddy following prolonged rain, while hills can become more slippery in wet conditions.
We'd recommend suitable walking shoes or boots.
Although we're rating the walk easy, that refers to the overall route rather than suggesting every section is level or surfaced.
How Long is the Otley Circular Walk?
Our GPS-recorded Otley Circular Walk measures 5.72 miles. (The Whiteshire)
How long it takes will depend on your pace, the hills and how often you stop.
Lyn and I don't rush our walks.
We're normally taking photographs, looking at the scenery and stopping when something catches our attention.
For us, walking is about exploring Yorkshire together rather than completing a route as quickly as possible.
Is the Otley Walk Suitable for Beginners?
We think it could be suitable for people comfortable walking nearly six miles and tackling some hills.
We've rated the overall route easy based on our own experience.
If you're new to countryside walking, simply allow yourself plenty of time.
There's nothing wrong with stopping halfway up a hill.
You can always say you're admiring the view.
When is the Best Time to Walk Around Otley?
We'd consider this route throughout much of the year.
Spring brings fresh growth to Wharfedale.
Summer gives you longer daylight hours.
Autumn changes the colours across the valley and woodland.
Winter can provide wonderfully clear views from higher ground.
Recent weather probably matters more than the season because prolonged rain can make countryside paths muddier.
Is Otley Worth Visiting?
Definitely.
Even without the walk, Otley is worth exploring.
The historic market town has independent shops, traditional pubs, cafés and interesting architecture, while the River Wharfe and Chevin provide countryside almost immediately outside the centre.
It's one of those places where you can easily turn a five or six-mile walk into a full day out.
What Else Can You Explore Near Otley?
Otley Chevin Forest Park is the obvious place to explore further.
Nearby Ilkley is another excellent walking destination, with Ilkley Moor rising above the town.
You could also explore Menston, Guiseley and other parts of Lower Wharfedale.
And if you've still got energy after our 5.72-mile route, there are plenty more paths around the Chevin itself.
Explore More West Yorkshire Walks
If you've enjoyed discovering Otley, Lyn and I have personally explored plenty more routes throughout West Yorkshire.
Or browse our wider collection:
Looking for somewhere else to visit while you're 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 our first-hand experience with practical information, local history and the character of the villages, towns and countryside we discover along the way.
We're not professional hikers. We simply enjoy getting out together, discovering somewhere interesting and seeing more of Yorkshire on foot.
Otley is exactly the sort of place we enjoy.
You have a historic market town, the River Wharfe, beautiful countryside and the dramatic Chevin rising above everything.
Otley Circular Walk
Our GPS-recorded Otley Circular Walk measures 5.72 miles.
Based on our experience, Lyn and I rate it as easy overall, although there are uphill sections along the route.
Take your time on the climbs.
Once you've gained some height, the surrounding Wharfedale scenery makes the extra effort worthwhile.
For us, Otley has almost everything we look for in a Yorkshire walk – interesting history, countryside, water, hills and somewhere good to explore when we've finished.
For the Wix page title, I'd change:
Otley, West Yorkshire: A Premier Yorkshire Walks Destination
to:
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