Ebor Way: Harewood to Menston

Taking to the higher ground south of the valley, the route leaves the riverside behind and instead explores the rolling woodland and scenic ridges above Wharfedale. It begins with a meander though the stately grounds of Harewood, famous for its formal gardens and collection of birds, then heads due west to the well-heeled village of Bramhope. The ground rises further as you enter Chevin Forest Park, whose accessible hilltop site is popular with walkers and mountain bikers, and which offers great views over Otley from its partly wooded north-facing escarpment. The Ebor Way continues up to The Chevin, a more airy and open viewpoint and where on a clear day you can literally see for miles. There's a lofty ridge top section, after which it's a long and steady descent, partly on roadsides, into Menston.

From the main road (A61) in Harewood, and before the Harewood Arms, turn right on to Church Lane. Carry straight on along the private road beyond the Village Hall and into the Harewood estate, keeping your eyes peeled for red kites which can often be seen flying overhead. After the grounds open up go left at a junction of tracks. Follow the tarmac road past the Estate Office at Harewood Yard. Note how the windows are set upright while the building is on a steep slope, which makes for an odd sight.

Continue along the road, passing over a stream, then climb steeply before descending to go through another gate across the road. Turn right on the track which climbs up to a house. Look back for a distant view of Harewood House and the fish pond. Pass to the right of the house and continue on the track into the woods. Turn right twice on the broad track that passes through the wood and joins the road from Eccup to Weardley. Turn left up the road and at the first junction turn right, before reaching Burden Head Farm.

Descend Bedlam Lane and take the second turn left at a public byway sign ('Allums Lane'). It passes Bank Side Farm and Bank Top Farm before reaching a road, where you continue straight ahead across fields. On the outskirts of Bramhope look out for a stile on the right. Cross the stile and turn left along the road into the village.

Go over the crossroads and walk up Breary Lane to reach the centre of Bramhope, where the former market cross now acts as both a lamp-post and a signpost. The Ebor Way continues straight ahead on Old Lane. At the end of the village turn right on a signposted footpath to Pool Bank.

Cross straight over the road at Pool Bank and follow the track signposted Chevin Forest Park. Enter a wood and keep the wall on the left until the path meets a broad track. Turn right and walk down the broad track. Where it bends sharply left, at the bottom, go straight on through a gate. This swings left above Caley Crags and continues along the escarpment and on through the woods. Just before the car park go right, then immediately fork left for a path beside the road that crosses it opposite Danefield House. Take the public byway opposite (Miller Lane).

Go through a gate and climb on to the top of The Chevin, a ridge offering an exhilarating walk and some superb views over Otley and Wharfedale. Continue until you reach some woodland. Walk along its top edge, past a pond, until a small wall stile. Go left, across the field and then right, down the road. Turn left and then right to reach The Chevin pub. Walk into the car park and bear left, passing between buildings, and descend fields to a track. Turn left and after 200yds (183m) turn right. Go ahead through a gate, then turn right beside the railway to cross a bridge into Menston. Go over the road and walk along Station Road, then opposite the station turn left up Cleasby Road to reach Main Street.