A walk around Birk Crag, More Pictures of Birk Crag. More Info.
Click the map to go to Google maps.
Head towards RHS Gardens at Harlow Carr, they have a new car park which at the moment is free. From here there are a number of walks you can do individually or combine into one big walk! Hence the arrow on the map pointing towards Valley Gardens. From the car park go right away from Harlow Carr, you will pass the animal centre to your left, look for the path to your right that will take you towards Harrogate along a field with amazing views.
Reaching the end of the path at Cornwall Road there is a picnic area to the right, if you need a sit down. Reaching Cornwall Road turn left and head down the hill, pass the mini round about and look for the entrance to Birk Crag on the left just before the road turns left down the hill.
Go through the small gate and follow the path. It will come to a point where you can go left or right, there isn’t a wrong choice here they both lead you up to some amazing views.
Take a little moment to take in the view.
At the top the footpath is marked to the right and down, here if you feel like it you can go left and a small road/drive that leads back towards the animal centre and Harlow Carr. Or go right and follow the path down, its a bit rocky.
You will eventually reach the beck, here you can cross the beck and turn left towards Harlow Carr, which you can see through the fencing to the right.
At the end of this path through a small gate turn left towards the Harrogate Arms, sadly closed now! Pass the pub and walk back up the road which gets you back to the car park, now you can visit the Gardens and Betty’s Café. Or do the next walk towards Valley Gardens down the path marked on the left past the car park towards the Pine Woods.