■Distance: 8½ miles/13¾km ■Time: 5 hours ■Grade: Moderate
Ilkley Moor occupies a remarkable place at the heart of Yorkshire’s identity, thanks to the famed cautionary folk song which serves as the county’s unofficial anthem, On Ilkla Moor Baht ’at. The charming ditty warns of the dangers of attempting to cross the moor baht ’at (without a hat). But whether or not you choose to wear a hat for this walk, it’s a cracker. Ilkley Moor is packed with interest, from the dramatic Cow and Calf rocks to the ancient Swastika Stone; from boulders bearing cupand-ring markings to the Stanza Stones, where poetry has been hewn into the rocks by the Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage. This walk takes in most of the above; save it for a fine day. And bring a hat.
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1 Start
Take broad track heading S from car park onto moorside. At top of first rise, ignore path L and veer R with track, crossing stream and reaching White Wells Bath House. Continue on lowest eastbound path, heading NE and passing pond R.
Descend to reach W edge of The Tarn.
Turn R and walk along either shore of tarn. At far end, climb steps (signed Stanza Stones) and follow path, eventually crossing footbridge over Backstone Beck.
Turn R off main path and climb steadily, following signs for
Stanza Stone. Climbing bank, take first path R to reach beck and locate Beck Stone, one of Simon Armitage’s Stanza Stone engraved poems.
PLAN YOUR WALK
Start/parking White Wells car park (free), Wells Rd, Ilkley, grid ref SE115469, postcode LS29 9JS Is it for me?
Exposed moorland; navigation tricky in places due to multiple footpaths; refer to map if/when confused Stiles 4
Nearest town Ilkley Refreshments Plenty in Ilkley; seasonal café at White Wells Bath House. Cow & Calf pub and café short detour from Point 3 Public toilets Seasonal at Bath House, otherwise none on route Public transport None Maps OS Explorer 297; Landranger 104
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2 1 mile/1.5km
Continue S on path above beck. As it veers L under rocky outcrop, take first branching path L, climbing by outcrop. At top, many paths head E through old quarry, eventually climbing steadily to Cow and Calf Rocks.
3 1⅓ miles/2km
Take grassy path heading W. At vintage signpost, follow path signed for White Wells, heading
