Shipley is a great place to walk. With its pedestrianised Market Square, well-maintained canal towpaths, good public transport links, the lofty heights of Baildon Moor, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire, there’s so much to explore on foot. What’s more, it’s a great way to stay on top of your mental and physical health, and you don’t need any special equipment to do it.
Walking to Zero
The Walking to Zero exhibition is coming to Bradford!
In the final week of March 2025, Trapezium Gallery will host the work of seven local residents, who have all produced artworks and accompanying narratives reflecting upon their everyday experiences of walking. We hope that some of these works will challenge some of your own pre-conceived notions of what your ‘everyday’ walk is like, and inspire you to get out tramping in your local area!
For more info, view the news post.
Walking groups
Here, you’ll find links to groups that regularly organise walks in the Shipley area. Most are free, although memberships are required in some cases. Contact them directly for details on how to join a walk.
If you know of another walking group in the Shipley area that isn’t included here, please let us know and we will add them to the list.
Baildon Walkers are Welcome & Bingley Walkers are Welcome
Walkers are Welcome are a network of advocacy groups that aim to promote and encourage walking in their local area. They regularly post details of guided walks on their websites.
Bradford Ramblers
The Ramblers is the UK’s largest walking charity and the Bradford group has an active programme of evening walks of between 4-5 miles in distance, with a number of them starting in Shipley or the surrounding areas.
Well Together
Well Together provides a range of interesting, sociable, health-led activities delivered by dedicated activity volunteers. They are particularly suitable for NHS service users with long term health conditions, and alongside walking they organise crafting, peer support and many other types of social groups.
HALE Social Groups
HALE is an award-winning health development charity based in Bradford. They run a number of walking groups as well as other activities that aim to reduce isolation and improve mental health.
West Yorkshire LDWA
The West Yorkshire branch of the Long Distance Walkers’ Association organises – you guessed it – long-distance walks, generally of 15 miles or more, for fit and experienced walkers. A number of their organised walks start in the Shipley area and their website also has route suggestions if you prefer something self-guided.
Bradford CHA Rambling & Social Club
Bradford CHA offers walks for all abilities and interests on Saturdays and Sundays, and regularly organises coach transport so walkers can explore further-flung parts of the countryside.