In this article I will attempt to review as many walking websites as possible which contain self-guided routes located in Yorkshire. There are more and more walking websites out there and it can be really confusing. Can you really trust the information posted? You wouldn’t like to get lost on a walk, would you?
To review the websites, the criteria I use are as follows:
- Ease of use and appearance
- Search facilities (postcodes, location, area listing)
- Quality of walk descriptions (directions + local interests on the route)
- Grading system for the walks (difficulty levels or accessibility)
- Mapping of routes
Other features I comment on but don’t use in the rating:
- If it is free or fee based
- If there are GPS waypoints or Apps for smartphones
- If there are any photographs or videos of the routes
- Other info available along the route such as refreshments and toilets
- If it is a community based website
Walk4Life
Website: www.walk4life.info
Synopsis: A nationwide walking website backed by the Change4Life campaign with thousands of walks available giving you the opportunity to use 1/25000 O.S Explorer Maps for free!
Reviewed on 2nd November 2011, updated on 18 February 2012
| Ease of use / appearance | Search facilities | Walk descriptions | Grading system | Route mapping |
| 4/4 | 4/4 | 2/4 | 2.5/4 | 4/4 |
Full review available here
The Walking Englishman
Website: www.walkingenglishman.com
Synopsis: A walking website reflecting the experience of one man, Mike Brockurst on hundreds of walks mainly located in North of England (Yorkshire Dales, Lake District or Peak District)
Reviewed on 5th November 2011
| Ease of use / appearance | Search facilities | Walk descriptions | Grading system | Route Mapping |
| 2/4 | 1.5/4 | 4/4 | 3.5/4 | 4/4 |
Full review available here
Go4awalk
Website: www.go4awalk.com
Synopsis: This website has thousands of walks available and all sorts of info about walking. Part of its content is not free though.
Reviewed on 12th November 2011
| Ease of use / appearance | Search facilities | Walk descriptions | Grading system | Route mapping |
| 2.5/4 | 3.5/4 | 3/4 | 3.5/4 | 3/4 |
Full review available here
Memory-Map® Trailzilla
Website: www.trailzilla.com
Synopsis: TrailZilla is the online route planning and sharing site created and owned by Memory-Map® Europe.
Reviewed on 13th December 2011
| Ease of use / appearance | Search facilities | Walk descriptions | Grading system | Route Mapping |
| 3.5/4 | 4/4 | 3.5/4 | 3.5/4 | 3.5/4 |
Full review available here
iFootpath
Website: www.ifootpath.com
Synopsis: a new walking website which is in early stage of development and has an app for smartphones at its core.
Reviewed on 4th March 2012
| Ease of use / appearance | Search facilities | Walk descriptions | Grading system | Route Mapping |
| 3/4 | 3/4 | 4/4 | 3.5/4 | 2/4 |
Full review available here
Walking Britain
Website: www.walkingbritain.com
Synopsis: There are thousands of walks available on this website “dedicated to the footpaths that cross the landscape”
Reviewed on 23rd April 2012
| Ease of use / appearance | Searching facilities | Walk descriptions | Grading system | Mapped routes |
| 2/4 | 3.5/4 | 3/4 | 4/4 | 2/4 |
Full review available here
Walkit.com
Website: www.walkit.com
Synopsis: The UK urban walking route planner featuring most of the the big cities including Leeds and Sheffield in Yorkshire
Reviewed on 28th May 2012
| Ease of use / appearance | Searching facilities | Walk descriptions | Grading system | Mapped routes |
| 3.5/4 | 3/4 | 4/4 | 2/4 | 3.5/4 |
Full review available here
South Pennines – Walk Cycle Ride
Website: www.walkridesouthpennines.co.uk
Synopsis: This site is not just about walking in South Pennines it’s also about cycling, mountain biking and horse riding. You will find routes for all ages and abilities, from a quiet stroll along the canal towpath, to a strenuous hike in the moors.
Reviewed on 19th August 2012
| Ease of use / appearance | Search facilities | Walk descriptions | Grading system | Mapped routes |
| 3.5/4 | 1/4 | 2.5/4 | 4/4 | 3/4 |
Full review available here
Walks & Walking Routes
Website: www.walking-routes.co.uk
Synopsis: A catalogue website with “100′s of links to 1000′s of walks”
Review: pending
Walks around Britain
Website: www.walksaroundbritain.co.uk
Synopsis: Walking website featuring videos walks.
Review: pending
Nature Valley Free Walks
Website: www.naturevalley.co.uk/#/Over_2000_Free_Walks
Synopsis: A sponsored website selling its products and promoting walking at the same time
Review: pending
Sustrans
Website: www.sustrans.org.uk
Synopsis: Although mostly dedicated to cycling, the organisation also promotes walking and wants cycling paths to be shared with pedestrians. Features self-guided routes.
Review: pending
Walking In Yorkshire (Part of Walking In England portal)
Website: www.walkinginyorkshire.co.uk
Synopsis: A catalogue website which actually directs you to the relevant route pages of other websites
Review: pending
Ramblers – Get Walking, Keep Walking
Website: www.getwalking.org
Synopsis: This is the Ramblers’ own version of a website giving people the chance to get healthier by walking. It’s part of the Change4Life campaign and uses the Walk4Life brand. There are currently 6 places in Britain involved in this programme including Sheffield in Yorkshire and they all include self-guided walks.
Review: pending
Where to Walkies
Website: www.wheretowalkies.co.uk
Synopsis: a fun new walking website for dog owners who like to walk with them but don’t really know where to go. Coming to Yorkshire very soon!
Review: pending
Dog Walks Yorkshire
Website: www.dogwalksyorkshire.com
Synopsis: A bit like the website above but dedicated to Yorkshire dog lovers who like to walk too!
Review: pending
HappyHiker.co.uk
Website: www.happyhiker.co.uk
Synopsis: a website built by a Yorkshireman who’s been walking for more than 50 years and started recording his walks online back in 2011. There’s already a big list of them and much more to be published.
Review: pending
Social Hiking – Share Your Adventure
Website: www.shareyouradventure.com
Synopsis: a website built around the social media to share all sorts of great outdoor adventures live (or afterwards) with your friends and followers.
Review: pending
Lone Walker
Website: www.lonewalker.walkingplaces.co.uk
Synopsis: a website which is a walking diary full of hints and walks done by its author Stuart Greig. Part of the www.walkingplaces.co.uk portal.
Review: pending
Pushchair Walks
Website: www.pushchairwalks.co.uk
Synopsis: Looking for family friendly walks suitable for pushchairs – no stiles, no steps? This is probably the best place to start.
Review: pending
Walks With Buggies and Walks with Wheelchairs
Websites: www.walkswithbuggies.com & www.walkswithwheelchairs.com
Synopsis: These free to use websites have hundred of walks suitable either for buggies or wheelchairs
Review: pending
Walking About
Website: www.walkingabout.co.uk
Synopsis: a new website with free walking routes mainly located in Yorkshire and the South Pennines illustrated with maps, gpx downloads and good pictures
Review: pending
The Walking Cave Man
Website: http://walkingcaveman.blogspot.co.uk/
Synopsis: a new website edited by Andrew Gillard who is “passionate about sharing walking in the East Riding of Yorkshire and the Yorkshire Wolds and to promote the fantastic walking routes in the county”
Review: pending
Yorkshire Walks
Website: http://www.yorkshirewalks.org/
Synopsis: this website is the brainchild of Frank Firth, a Yorkshireman passionate about walking and his county. There are a lot of walks in Yorkshire and beyond available.
Review: pending
And much more to come!
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Thank you for the reviews. I thought that you might like to know about iFootpath. We are developing a website with walks around the UK and an iPhone app to track new walks and follow the walks that we have been added to the site.
We would welcome a review of our site and if possible the iPhone app – it’s 69p but happy to send anyone a free download voucher of they want to review it.
The website address is.
http://www.iFootpath.com
Thanks for your comment. I’ll be sending you an email so we can talk about it.
Hi – or should I say Bonjour
I was reading your review of walking websites and would value your opinion about mine.
à bientôt
John
Thanks John for your comment. I’ll send you an email directly. Cheers.
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