By Iola Shaw
With bluebell season coming up here is a nice circular 5km (approx) walk that takes you through Bramley Fall Woods, along the canal, and then through more bluebells as you head back up Leeds Bradford Road before dipping back into the woods before you finish.
This route starts and finishes at the Eric Street Bus stop (bus no 60/60A) near the Acorn Pub.
There are a couple of exit points identified when you can get the 60/60A bus if you want to shorten the walk.
Head down hill down Eric Street, through the A frame style gateway.
Go down across the grass, down to the footpath that takes you past the changing rooms – if you prefer steps these are to the left of the slope then turn rightish on the path you will see into the woods.
The path splits once you are in the woods and keep right rather than go straight downhill – this will give you a sea of bluebells to your left – do stick to the paths and avoid squashing the flowers.
Just at the edge of the wooded bit after the garlic blossoms on your right turn left down a path. You dip back into the woods and towards the bottom of the slope you will hit a fork – go through the rocks and up onto the ridge which takes you towards Forge locks.
Stay on the wider path and you will reach a signpost go left to forge locks , but if you want to have just a very short walk go right here, back up the hill and up to Leeds Bradford Road again coming out 2 bus stops down from the Eric street one.
The full walk takes in the Forge locks – go across these and then turn right onto the tow path.
If you are very lucky you will see a kingfisher flash along the canal. These locks are a good view point across the river to the old Kirkstall forge buildings. Then you have a peaceful stroll down the canal.
Head along the towpath towards Kirkstall bridge, past Kirkstall little lock and under the road. Hollybush gardens are on your left – and has a café.
This is the point to dip off the walk for a short while. If you are lucky there will be an event on. You need to go under the next road bridge then turn left and left again to go up the hill and keep on the circular walk. Do be careful crossing the road here to stay on the pavement.
A right turn takes you to the front entrance to Hollybush and towards Kirkstall over the Bridge.
To complete the circular walk, head uphill on Broad Lane so you walk Over the canal – pausing to take in the view of the old walk way over the canal in the Kirkstall Brewery Halls of Residence – then keep going up the hill and take a right turn onto Broadlea Terrace.
On your right, just after no 76 there is a footpath.
Take this and follow it round – go half way down the steps and then there is a path to your left – to go across the sea of bluebells either side between you and Leeds & Bradford Road and the houses at the top.
You rejoin some steps and turn right down onto Leeds Bradford road in a short while. On the road cross over at the zebra crossing and turn left to head back up Leeds Bradford road, shortly after St Benedict’s Drive there is a footpath on your right.
Go down this and take one of the paths on your left once you are in the trees again. If you accidentally head all the way down to the canal you can pick up the route in reverse.
These woods have more bluebells, then a short stretch of grass, and you are back in the last bit of woods you started in.
Walk straight on through these and you will see the changing rooms across the playing field to your left to get your bearings. Head past them and up Eric Street and back to the bus stop – or if you prefer the Acorn Pub or café for refreshments.
This route is saved as “WLD bluebells and the canal” on OS maps online if you have the app – here’s an image from Strava of the route:
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