Ilkley, Rombalds Moor, Roman Road and Addingham

The route

Start in Ilkley and make a 26.5km round that climbs onto the shoulder of Rombalds Moor before returning through the lower Wharfe valley. The route uses green roads like Parson's Lane on the moor edge, then drops back to the pasture and river paths of the dale. It is a long, rolling outing that links two very different landscapes, open moor and green valley, into a satisfying loop with no single hard climb.

The moor and the valley

Rombalds Moor is the great gritstone upland between Wharfedale and Airedale, of which Ilkley Moor is the best-known part. Its shoulders carry old tracks, cup-and-ring carved stones and wide views over the two valleys. Addingham sits below in the lower Wharfe, a handsome village of old weavers' cottages and three churches, with the river running through. The route balances the exposure and space of the moor with the shelter and greenery of the valley, giving a real sense of the country where the Dales meet the Pennines.

Why it works

This is a route for a long, steady day on mixed ground. The valley sections are easy and runnable; the moor edge is rougher and boggy after rain, with navigation needed where the tracks fade in cloud. It suits a steady long run or a big training day close to home. The moor holds water and the low paths get muddy, so expect a mix underfoot. Addingham has shops, pubs and parking, and the loop links easily with Ilkley and Bolton Abbey if you want to extend or vary it. It is a rewarding way to link the moor and the dale that most local runners keep to weekends.