We are the Sheffield Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
Linda C.
We start from Ben Rhydding station and walk uphill to reach Hangingstone Road and Burley Moor. We then walk along Dales Way to Crag Top before turning south across Hawksworth Moor to Intake Gate. From there we head north-west to Horncliffe Well and continue along the Dales High Way, past the Twelve Apostles to reach Lanshaw Lad. We turn due west and pass the highest point of Ilkley Moor (402m) near its southern boundary enroute to Whetstone Gate. We pass by the East and West Buck Stones before following the wall along Rombalds Moor to Shepherds Hill where we begin our descent to join the Dales High Way, which takes us into Ilkley to end the walk
(With many thanks to Mr Bailey for this route!)
The paths on the moors are generally in good condition with several stone-flagged sections. The only rough area underfoot is on the downward, poorly marked, path towards the end of the walk.
As the area around Ilkley has been continuously occupied since well before the Bronze Age, there are numerous examples of carved stones. We will see at least one example of a Cup and Ring carving, a stone circle and the Swastika Stone (the only one in the country).
The only quite steep ascent is at the beginning of the walk in order to reach the moor. After that the ups and downs are unremarkable. The final descent into Ilkley is fairly steep, but it is easy to zig zag down.
