Goldsborough, Little Ribston and Plumpton

Seven and a half miles through the parkland and estate woods of the lower Nidd valley, close to four hours, easy underfoot apart from a short scramble along the wooded gorge on the return and a run of stiles that a heavy dog will need lifting over. It starts at the Bay Horse in Goldsborough, three miles from Knaresborough, with roadside parking on the village street and a bus from Knaresborough on weekdays; the waymarking is good except between Little Ribston and Loxley, where a map earns its keep. Estate parkland means sheep almost throughout and a lead for most of the route, but the Nidd is crossed twice and there are safe shallow entries for a swim near Ribston Hall; the riverside sections drain reasonably but the parkland turns heavy after Christmas.