392 Walks from Ilkley 2018

Our next walking will be from

  Ilkley

A pretty, traditional spa town in North Yorkshire and a rock climbers' paradise

and will take place on

Saturday 8th September 2018

0800hrs prompt from short stay car park in the village

Although the walking is good up on the moor and on a bracing winter’s day even better than good, I find the main attraction the multitude of legends that create the moor’s character. ‘Ilkley Moor Baht’at’ is a folk song which describes a young lady telling her fella that he really should wear a hat whilst walking on the moor or he will perish and end up being eaten by worms whilst the famous rocks of the Cow and Calf were allegedly formed when the giant Romald stamped on them whilst fleeing from his enemy.
All good stuff but what is without question is the superb gritstone boulders which sprinkle the entire moor, offering some great scrambling at the Cow and Calf and many which have carvings dating back to the bronze age. I prefer tackling Ilkley Moor by starting at the Cow and Calf (which like the Lion & the Lamb at Grasmere) is difficult to reconcile; name and rocks. From here take to the summit ridge before dropping down part way to Ilkley before heading across the slopes and enjoying the excellent views of this part of Wharfedale..

There is something mythical about walking her.

There will be three walks:

• A Walk led by: Peter Hitchcock
• B Walk led by: Jennifer Mathias
• C Walk Led by:John Smith
   
• Details will be posted as they become available but by the Saturday before the walk.

'A' Walk from Ilkley 2018

Walk Leader:  Peter Hitchcock
Walk Distance:
Total Ascent/Descent:

We depart the thriving and pretty centre of town south along a pleasant tree-lined promenade, climbing gradually to the edge of Ilkley Moor.  Passing some grand Victorian mansions en-route, we then skirt eastwards along the edge of the moor to a tarn before climbing a short but fairly sharp stretch to the top of the Cow and Calf crag lookout point.    After a few “selfies” and a look at the lovely panoramic view of Wharfdale, we continue south-west for about an hour towards Burley Moor (lots of grouse) and an old stone circle now named the “Twelve Apostles” due to the number of remaining stones. [Guide talk at the spot]!  Next is a yomp westwards along level ground around Horton Moor and more grouse, lunch, then through a lovely pine forest before decending a little to a section of the Millenium Way with, again, fantastic views of Wharfdale area.  An hours level walk then remains back to Ilkley along mid-ridge, taking in the Swastika Stone [explained later also]; a sharp descent is inevitable for the last 15 mins trot back into the pub! [After an ice-cream if you’re lucky]!

N.B.  Being open moorland most of the way, if it is a wet/windy day, it will be very Spartan up there so please be prepared to wrap up!

'B' Walk from Ilkley 2018

Walk Leader: Jennifer Mathias
Walk distance: 8 Miles
Walk ascent/descent: 1100 app
 

Leaving Ilkley going south on the Dales Way to meet The Millennium Way travel west passing they Swastika Stone before turning south , skirting Rombalds Moor  and heading for the wireless station to the Dales Way Link. On east to the Cow and Calf and so picking up the Dales Way back into town. This is about eight miles.

'C' Walk from Ilkley 2018

Walk Leader: John Smith
Walk Distance: 5 miles app
Walk ascent/descent:

The C walk will be about 5 miles with little elevation.  We will start at one of the several cafes before setting off down the main street for a short distance to the river Wharfe taking a right walk along the riverside to a second footbridge.  Across this to turn left along a riverside road, then along a path to cross the road into Ilkley (this could be a short cut for those wanting to go for retail therapy).  Further walking along the riverside until a footbridge crosses the Wharfe to meet the Dales Way heading back into Ilkley. 

This description of the walk is given looking at the OS map and on the day the route may vary following the recce.

Photographs taken on the Hawkshead walks

C Party on the way

Some others joined the party

Near Blelham Tarn

Add caption

Ray surprised them all by meeting them on the last leg home

Exploring Low Sawrey

B Party at the top of Latterbarrow

Wise Een Tarn and the Langdales beyond

The western range including OMC

Overlooking Windermere from Latterbarrow

Resting on the east side of Latterbarrow before the descent.

Nearly home