New Years Day is always a good day for a hike. I was being joined for this one by Will, a friend from work. He was showing me a walk around Ilkley Moor starting in Ben Rhydding heading up past the Cow and Calf Rocks, over the moor, back along the lower slopes, down into Ilkley and finally back into Ben Rhydding.
6.5 Miles 2 Hours
Walking from the car park in Ben Rhydding, take the road called Wheatley Lane south, you will see a parade of shops on your right after about 300 yards or so, but continue south along the steep road for about quarter of a mile.
Where the road splits watch out for the steps next to the public foot path sign...
The path is a bit muddy, sorry about the quality of the picture...
The Cow and Calf Rocks come into view...
Getting steeper...
After about a quarter of a mile of this path, cut right here towards the Cow and Calf Rocks...
Ilkley in the wet morning cloud below, with Beamsley Beacon behind...
Will striding on towards the Cow and Calf Rocks...
Take the steep rough path to the left of the Cow and Calf...
Continue straight towards the higher part of the moor...
The rain was getting heavier now, and the wind was quite strong too...
Looking down onto Ilkley Crags...
Above Ilkley Crags now, and out onto Ilkley Moor...
Keep following the well trodden, and in many parts - boggy path way over the moor...
The masts of Whetstone Gate come into view...
After a good trudge over the moor, we cut left towards the Badger Stone, with its Neolithic carvings...
Heading back towards the path, here heading across Grainings Head...
The path now comes to 'Keighley Road', cross over this and although not marked on the map, continue to follow the foot path across the moor...
The path, which strangely is not on the map is well walked and easy to follow. Continue along the path from Keighley Road for a good three quarters of a mile. Then the path splits, cut right towards this gate in the dry stone wall...
Once through the gate, keep the dry stone wall to your left for about quarter of a mile...
Pass through this gate, and continue along the foot path. After a few yards, cut right along a not so well trodden path through the heather...
Heading across the heather towards another gate in another dry stone wall...
When you pass through the above gate, you come out onto the slopes of the moor. Follow the not so well trodden path steeply down hill towards the Swastika Stone...
The fenced off Swastika Stone...
Looking towards Beamsley Beacon, and the shadow of Earl Seat behind...
Now cut right, and follow the path east towards Bracken Wood and Heber's Ghyll...
The path way cuts across the top of Bracken Wood...
Rain water flowing quickly off the moor top, and down into Heber's Ghyll...
Continue along the path, passing Panorama Reservoir on your left hand side...
Heading towards Keighley Road again, passing the large houses on your left...
After following Keighley Road steeply down hill, turn right onto Wells Road, and follow the road along the edge of Ilkley Moor for a good half mile back towards the junction with Station Road in Ilkley town centre...
Passing the White Wells...
When you reach Station Road, you will find your self opposite the Railway Station. Go right and follow the Station Road for about a mile until you see the parade of shops I mentioned earlier at the junction with Wheatley Lane, cut left here down Wheatley Lane, passing Ben Rhydding Railway Station, and passing under the railway, before heading back towards the car park where we started.
This is a good little hike taking in some of the finest points of interest of the moor. The weather was pretty grim, but in my view a perfect day for a moor land stroll.
Thank you for taking the time to read this entry :0)
2 comments:
Magnificent walk...
...thankyoU! ~ for taking the time to share this awesome walk! ~ blessed be!...
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