A POPULAR weekend of walks is being staged again in Keighley.

Nine guided walks will take place across the weekend of September 23 and 24.

A number of the routes that feature in Keighley Walks 2023 have a river theme.

The line up includes a World River Day walk on the Sunday, organised by the Aire Rivers Trust and River Worth Friends.

Starting at Keighley Station at 10.30am, participants will take a train ride to Oxenhope on the Worth Valley line.

They will then walk back to Keighley, following routes close to Bridgehouse Beck and the River Worth.

Travel on the railway is free for the first 20 participants.

Walk leader will be Sam Riley, from the Aire Rivers Trust.

Other offerings include Hidden Stars of the River Worth, a 2.5-mile walk from Ingrow West Station to the confluence of the rivers Worth and Aire. Staged by Keighley Big Local, it takes place between 10am-11.30am on the Saturday.

Shaun O'Hare, of Keighley Big Local, says all the walks give people the chance to explore more-hidden parts of the town and surrounding area.

He says: "People may be familiar with much of the area but this is an opportunity to step off the beaten track and explore by foot.

"It's also a chance to celebrate the people who are doing good, with walk leaders drawn from some of the many successful social enterprises in the town."

Other walks in the programme include: Saturday, September 23 – Park Wood Family Safari, a short family-friendly walk around the ancient woodland, 1pm-2.30pm. Walk leader Hazel Thompson.

Wellbeing Walk, a short walk and social with Missing Peace & Wellbeing Support CIC. Starting at the Wellbeing Lounge, East Parade. 1pm-4pm.

Keighley 11-mile Ramble, 10.30am-3pm, starting at Stockbridge. Walk leader Muppett.

Bat Walk at Low Wood nature reserve, Riddlesden, 7pm-8.30pm. Walk leader Ian Butterfield will share his knowledge of bat species to be seen at the reserve, managed by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

Sunday, September 24 – River Worth Circular, a 3.4-mile walk showcasing the industrial heritage of Keighley, 1pm-2.30pm. Walk leader Lee Senior.

Family Photography Walk, a short walk and workshop within the grounds of East Riddlesden Hall, 11am-12.30pm. Leader Lisa Holmes, from Keighley Photo Hub.

Rivers, Brooks, Reservoirs and Witches! An eight-mile walk further afield, in the Washburn Valley, 10.30am-4.30pm. Walk leader Muppett.

* For more about all the walks, and to book places, visit eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom--keighley/keighley-walks-23.