Monday, 13 August 2018

'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!



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