11 Miles / 18km with 1,840ft / 560m Total Ascent
Ah, but which Moor? Which ‘At?? The high ground separating Lower Wharfedale from Airedale goes under a variety of names, Ilkley Moor the most famous due to a certain song. If you wish to sing it, go on the B+! The highest point, which we will visit, is known as Rombalds Moor, 402m/1,320ft, but there are others.
From Ilkley, we follow the Dales Way Link / Ebor Way past the Cow and Calf rocks to Barks Crag on Burley Moor and the small settlement of Burley Woodhead. Various paths lead onto and over Hawksworth Moor to a road at White Flush, left for a long climb past Horncliffe Well and across Bingley Moor (see what I mean) to the Twelve Apostles stone circle and a level walk to the trig point atop Rombalds Moor.
We return to Ilkley down Keighley Road (a track) from Whetstone Gate.
10 miles (16km) with 1132ft (345m) Total Ascent.
Starting in Ilkley we first go south along the Dales Way Link until we meet the Millennium Way which we follow westwards past the Swastika Stone, thought to be of Bronze Age origin.
Turning south on Long Ridge End, a part of Addingham High Moor, we walk to the edge of the forest and then turn south east along a 'not so dry' path to West Buck Stones. We continue to the Wireless Station at Whetstone Gate and then along a newly constructed path to the highest point on Ilkley Moor at 402m/1319ft.
We return to Ilkley via the 12 Apostles Stone Circle and the Cow and Calf rocks.
7 miles (11km) with 1200ft (366m) Total Ascent
We take the road south from the town and immediately begin to climb up to Ilkley Moor, as far as White Wells, then head in a westerly direction along the Dales High Way/ Millennium Way, where we have outstanding views of the surrounding countryside.
We pass the Swastika Stone, believed to be from the Neolithic Age and after another mile leave the path to descend to Cragg House. We follow paths across fields before joining a minor road to Cocking End. Here, after carefully crossing the A65, we Join the Dalesway and back to Ilkley.
6¼ miles (10.1km) with 247ft (65.3m) Total Ascent
We start our walk just past Chelker Reservoir on the A65; only al fresco toilets I´m afraid! We follow field paths, more or less on the level, before descending steeply (450ft / 137m) to Lobwood House where we join the Dales Way to Ilkley along the River Wharfe. This first section and the next mile or so has several stiles, all in good condition.
The way now is, for the most part, flat with three stepped rises to add interest! There are some lovely views but, for the recce, it was very wet under foot except for paved sections. Lots of shops, pubs and cafés in Ilkley
