Ilkley Moor

Cow and Calf Rocks to Cow and Calf Pub - 18/06/25

Walking - Dave, Tina, Janet and Jennifer.

This was made up by linking various paths on Ilklely Moor.  The original plan was to make our way to Whetstone Gate before heading back.  But it was a nice day, none of us had been on this part of the moor before, so we decided to extend the walk by probably 50%

Starting from the car park at the Cow and Calf 

Then follow the path up the hill.to one of the highest points on the walk.

Then follow the Dales Highway to the 12 Apostles.

Backtrack slightly to follow a paved path past the trig point and the Stanza Stones.  Stones in the middle of the moor with poetry 

And some fine views of Menwith Hill - the secret listening post.

And onto the Whetsone Gate, with car access to the far side of the moor. Crossing "Keighley Road", and up the hill to the Buckstones.

Then, steep downhill to the path that runs alongside Rombalds Moor.

To join the Millennium Way / Dales Highway. 

With some nice views over the valley

The reservoir.

Eventually, we left the Millennium Way to follow a path through the bracken.

Which brought us back to the top of the Cow and calf.

 

And the Cow and Calf from the Cow and Calf

Journeys End

It was a lot longer than planned, but we were on parts of the moor none of us had been on before so a little exploring was in order.  Great views and lots to see, and the only time we walked on the side of the road was from the pub to the car park!.  

Otley

 Otley - Lots of roads walk - 11/06/25

This was a walk that was decided on more due to time constraints rather than the merits of the walk.

The walk involved a lot of walking through Otley, walking on roads, across farmers' fields with few traces of a path, and a short section on the Wellcome Way.

It was from a guide, and it is not likely I will ever do this walk again.

Simons Seat Circular

 

Simon's Seat Circular, 08/06/2025

This was a walk with the Walking the World to Rights group. 

From Skyremore to Simon's Seat, down through the Valley of Desolation at Bolton Abbey, and then follow the river back to Skyremore.

Unfortunately, the weather was not overly kind, with several showers during the walk and overcast most of the day.

The start of the walk was relatively flat with typical Dales views.

Followed by approximately 3km of climbing initially through woods and then onto open moorland.  This gave views up towards Carncliff and down to Burnsall.

Simon's Seat is a dominant outcropping of Millstone Grit, that dominates the skyline of the Wharfe Valley near Burnsall.  There are several other outcroppings 

A lot of the paths on the top of the moor are Yorkshire stone paving.

There were good views from inside the rocks over the Wharfe valley

Although Simons Seat is the largest outcropping, there are others close by.

Then, taking the path down towards Bolton Abbey, we passed areas of burnt-out moorland. 

A walk through the (far from) Valley of Desolation.

Then across parklands, until reaching the woods and following them up the Wharf. There were high-level views down to the Strid from the woods.

The walk then continued along the side of the river.

Where the weather cleared for a while.

And we got to see a nursery of multiple goose families drifting down the river.

Before going cross-country back to Skyrholme

Overall the walk was longer than expected, but certainly one I would do again.

  

 

Burnsall

Burnsall 14/05/2025

This was a glorious walk, out it was along the river bank from Burnsall to Linton Falls, then a detour up to Linton for a beer, then back to the river, then a climb up to Thorpe, then back down to the riverside in Burnsall over the fields and styles with views over Wharfedale and Simon's seat.

When we started the walk, the weather was overcast, but we finished in bright sunshine.  So we backtracked to the "gorge" to get better photos of the first part of the walk.  It was too good an opportunity to miss.

Leaving Burnsall there are some glorious river views.

What would normally have been an impressive little gorge was a good display of rocks due to the low water.

But it did mean we could get a better view of the channels that the water would normally be flowing through.

The route then follows the river

Until faced with a choice cross the river by bridge or stepping stone!

Then onto Linton Falls.  

Looking upstream from the bridge, the water was not flowing over the weir, only through one small channel.

Downstream, the normal complex pools and currents were replaced by water only flowing through one channel.

We took a detour up to Linton for a drink, and the views opened up with the climb

Up to the 1949 winner of the most beautiful village - according to the plaque on the column!

Suitably refreshed after supporting the local pub, it was back down to the river.  

Through the pretty little churchyard.

Then the longest uphill section of the walk upto Thorpe.  But remembered to keep looking behind me.

Once we left Thorpe, Simons Seat dominated the horizon

Heading back to Burnsall, we passed a wide variety of stiles through the dry stone walls.

Throughout the walk, we saw many, many lambs

The weather was glorious, but the trees offered a reminder it was still only May.

Then it was back into Burnsall and coffee and cake.

And one final look at one of the best-known bridges in the Dales.  And the stretch of river that generations have paddled in on summer day trips. 

This may probably be one of the finest walks in the Dales - it's certainly a favourite of mine!