Walks from Ilkley

Stunning Ilkley Moor with its natural rock sculptures, beautiful walk, stunning views. A walk skirting the edge of stunning Ilkley Moor on the established Dales Way/Ebor Way, with natural rock sculptures and views across the valley, before dropping into Menston and a more urban and suburban final stretch into Guiseley with a tedious last mile on a busy road. Wet and muddy paths and steep elevation; the climb up to Cow and Calf can be slippery in wet weather. Follows the established Dales Way and Ebor Way. Can be shortened or returned by train from Menston, an intermediate station. Passes the Abraham Moon and Sons woollen mill and its factory shop in Guiseley.

Time: 3h–6h

Lunch: Lots of places for refreshments and a bakery in Ilkley.

Warnings: Numerous obstacles and significant elevation; the path up to Cow and Calf can get slippery in wet weather, and there are wet and muddy paths. Care with young bullocks in the last field before Menston.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 3h–6h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A stunning revelation of quiet, high moorland, Great views throughout, a fabulous last mile. A stunning route over a succession of quiet, high moors culminating in iconic Ilkley Moor, with soft rolling moorland, narrow paths and natural rock sculptures, great views down into Wharfedale and over the mill villages. The middle is remote farmland with well-kept stiles and gates, then a short steep climb onto the main moor and with a fabulous descent into Ilkley. Many stiles and some lack of footpath signs. Follows the Dales High Way and Millennium Way. Passes prehistoric cup-and-ring marked rocks and the Swastika Stone. A bench is well placed on the first climb and again at Windgate Nick.

Time: 5h–9h30

1 lunch spot: Roman bathhouse cafe

Warnings: Many, many stiles, some requiring agility, and in places a lack of footpath signs; map or GPS competence is needed.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Great views; amazing views to the south and east. A varied route climbing from town onto open moorland: cobbled paths and stone steps through Riddlesden, field and farm paths, then a long stretch of quiet but pavement-less moorland road (partly gravel) over Ilkley Moor and descending via steep cobbled and stepped paths and the tarmac paths of Mill Ghyll. Some unmarked sections. Crossing the moors there is rich birdlife including meadow pipits, curlew, lapwings, skylarks, swifts and buzzards. Good facilities at both ends.

Time: 3h–6h

Warnings: A long stretch of road onto Ilkley Moor with no usable verge (quiet but care needed); steep, rubbly short-cuts (Spicey Gill) that can be slippery and muddy when wet; some stiles and dilapidated gates; cattle and sheep in fields.

Walk details: Slow Ways.