Social activities may be very limited at the moment, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t new places to explore. If you are a student in Leeds, your student home is sure to be only a short distance away from some fantastic walks and trails.

Whether your student accommodation is in Meanwood, Headingley, Woodhouse, Burley or Hyde Park, there are many great strolls to be discovered.

Here are a few to try out this winter…

 

Meanwood Valley Trail

The Meanwood Valley Local Nature Reserve spans from Meanwood into the beautiful countryside around Adel and Alwoodley. Just a couple of miles north of Leeds city centre, this wooded trail offers meadows, streams, ponds and a variety of wildlife.

This trail really gives you an amazing opportunity to escape the city and experience and enjoy wildlife. It will be hard to imagine that you are only such a short distance from urban Leeds. Around the becks, take a look to see if you can spot newts, crayfish, frogs, toads and even small lizards!

The trail is accessible from car parks at Meanwood Park, off Green Road, Meanwood, LS6 4LE; Adel Woods, off Stairfoot Lane, Alwoodley, LS16 8DR; and Golden Acre Park, off Otley Road, Bramhope LS16 8BQ.

Click here to view the trail using GPS.

 

Roundhay Park

We are so lucky to have such a fantastic park within such a small distance from Leeds city centre. Roundhay park is about four miles northeast of Leeds and offer 700 acres of parkland, lakes, woodland and gardens.

Whether you are walking or jogging, there are many different routes you can take around the park. There is the Secret Gorge walk, which is approx. 2.7km. This one is a bit of a challenge with sections of steep ground and some rough paths to follow. Or, the shorter Upper Lake Walk which is just under 1km on a flat surface and offers wildlife views.

You can view a full map of Roundhay Park here

 

Fulneck Loop Circular

This is a great easy-going loop walk, which is about five miles long. It should take around two and a half hours to complete. The loop straddles the borders of Leeds and Bradford through lovely well-kept bridleways through Pudsey Beck valley.

You will begin at Tong Hall, before heading towards Leeds along Keeper Lane. Next you will then continue your walk towards the historic Fulneck Moravian Settlement in Pudsey. At Pudsey Beck and Tyersal Beck, look out for all kinds of birds, insects and sea creatures. Then head back to the start of the loop with a meander through the Black Carr Woods.

For full details of the trail, read more in The Yorkshire Post

 

Wyke Beck Valley Way

The Wyke Beck Valley is often referred to as the jewel in the crown of Leeds’ green space. This 10km trail can be done by foot or by cycle and mingles through woodland, nature reserves and meadows. There is also a lot of wildlife to be spotted, including red kites, otters, kingfishers and water voles.

This valley route follows Wyke Beck between Temple Newsam and Roundhay Park. You will pass by Arthur’s Rein, Fearnville Fields and Wykebeck Woods before returning back. It should take you about 2 hours to walk or just over an hour to cycle.

The walk starts at Roundhay Park, Mansion Lane, LS8 2HH.

For full details of Wyke Beck Valley Way, got to Discover Leeds.

 

Remember to try and get outdoors for at least 30 minutes of exercise every day and enjoy these great spaces near to you.