Walks Around Britain

Standing stones and a brief look at some of the intriguing historic features which make up Ilkley Moor. Get ready to sing... "On Ilkley Moor ba tat..."

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• Walk up the road beyond the Cow and Calf Hotel, and where the road heads left, bear right up a grassy path. Scramble up the ridge to the Pancake Stone - behind are great views of Wharfedale.

• Bear right on a path along the edge of the ridge, cross a stony track and pass the Haystack Rock.

• Head left, and the track runs uphill parallel to Backstone Beck on to open heather moorland.

• At the top is the Bradford-Ilkley Dales Way link path. Here, head left along the section of duckboarding.

• Continue past a boundary stone at the top of the next rise, and onto the ring of stones known as the Twelve Apostles.

• Turning back from the Twelve Apostles, and continue along the Dales Way link path.

• Cross over Backstone Beck, and the open moorland is behind and the top of the ridge in front offers further excellent views across Ilkley and Wharfedale.

• Take the path steeply downhill and beneath a clump of trees is White Wells.

• Here, turn right, passing to the left of ponds, on a path, downhill.

• Head towards the pyramid-shaped rock and walk either way around the tarn.

• At the far end, take the path uphill, but it soon heads down to cross Backstone Beck again on a little footbridge.

• Head uphill for one last time to reach the Cow and Calf rocks.

• From here, it's a paved path back to the car park.

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Distance 4.5 miles (7.2km)

Minimum time 2 hrs 30min

Ascent/gradient 425ft (130m)

Grade/Paths Medium - Good moreland paths, some steep. 4 stiles

OS Map Explorer OL297 (Grid SE 132467)

Dogs? Under control where sheep graze

Parking Off-road parking on Hangingstone Road

Public Transport By Bus -

Toilets/Refreshments Public toilets In pay-and-display car park

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