Chilled Out Walk: Leeds to Kirkstall

Chilled Out Walks are back for 2026. We meet in the city centre for a leisurely paced walk to various locals sights and green spaces, followed by a drink or food.

Our first proper canal walk of the year will take us to Kirkstall. If you're new to Leeds you'll see why canal walks are such a favourite with the tranquil waters feeling a world away from bustling Leeds. We'll stop off for a break in the ruins at Kirkstall Abbey (a yearly tradition) then work our way up to Kirkstall Forge station. From here you can get a train back into Leeds, or get back onto the canal to do the return walk back into the city.

Tip for drivers: In the morning, you can park for free at Kirkstall Forge then get a train into Leeds. This way you can simply drive home at the end of the walk. This avoids expensive and tricky city centre parking.

So everyone can have a great experience...

1. Turn up on time - we no longer wait for latecomers
2. Keep the group together and don't sprint ahead
3. This is chilled out so slower walkers set the pace for all
4. If someone needs to stop for a moment, wait for them
5. Don't lead the group unless you know the directions

Important Info

Start Time: 13:00
Meeting Point: City Square under the horse statue
Distance: Approx 6 miles one way (return walk is optional)
Destination: Kirkstall Forge, then get a train or walk back to Leeds
Clothing: Trainers are OK, walk is on hard ground
Afterwards: There's not much around Kirkstall Forge so it's best to go back into Leeds if you'd like to get drinks or food. As normal, there's no specific plan and members should choose.

FAQs
Can you meet me part way through the walk?
Sorry, because these events can be busy it isn't practical to meet certain members somewhere else. Please come to the start point, if you want to cut the route short you are welcome to leave whenever you'd like.

What if bad weather is expected?
The host will review weather forecasts and, if necessary, delay or cancel the event. If this happens the decision will be clearly posted here, so unless you're advised otherwise you can assume the event is going ahead as expected. Light or intermittent rain will not cause the walk to be delayed. If you have concerns contact the host privately, speculating in the comments will likely be considered fearmongering and dealt with accordingly.

How do I get to the start point?
If you'd like to travel by train, the start point is directly adjacent to Leeds station. It should also be within a few minutes walk of all bus connections.

Where can I park my car?
The meeting point is very central so street level parking is hard to find, however there are multiple nearby multi-storey car parks you can use and these tend to have many free spaces on a weekend. Remember to leave an extra 10 minutes since it can take a while to park at these locations.

I'm running late can you wait?
This caused more problems than it solved so we no longer wait regardless of if you request it or not. Members tend to start arriving 15-20 minutes before the start of the walk so if you arrive early you shouldn't be alone. Since we meet in the city centre there are plenty of places to get a snack or hot drink whilst you wait. Aim to arrive early then even if you are delayed you will still get there on time.

Will there be breaks?
There should be at least one with possible further breaks on longer walks, however the host is solely responsible for choosing when. When we do stop, make the most of it - take a seat and drink some water - if you stand around the whole time you might struggle for energy later.

Can I bring my dog?
Yes, as long as they are on a lead and wont intimidate other members.

Will there be more upcoming walks?
We normally do these every 2 weeks from approximately March - September, however this is subject to change at any time, as always RSVP now since there's no guarantee the event will be repeated. The more people who turn up now the more likely we are to keep running these later into the year.