Ilkley to Rombalds Moor Loop

The route

This loop leaves Ilkley and climbs straight onto Rombalds Moor, the high heather plateau shared between Ilkley, Burley, Hawksworth, Bingley and Morton moors. At 15.6km with 373m of ascent, the climbing is gentle and spread out rather than concentrated in one pull, which makes this a good moor route for building moorland confidence without a brutal first kilometre.

The moor

Rombalds Moor sits in the South Pennines rather than a national park or AONB, and parts of it now fall within the Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve. What sets it apart from other moors nearby is the archaeology: over 400 cup-and-ring carved stones are scattered across the heather, prehistoric markings whose purpose still isn't fully understood. You'll pass the Cow and Calf rocks early on - a popular spot with climbers and a good landmark if visibility drops - and the going underfoot moves between solid path and softer, peatier ground depending on the line you pick.

Getting there

Ilkley has an hourly direct train to and from Leeds, taking around 27 to 29 minutes, which makes this an easy one to reach without a car. The free car park on Hangingstone Road has toilets and a small cafe on site, and also allows overnight motorhome parking if you're making a longer trip of it.

Why it works

This route earns its place by packing genuine moorland character - heather, exposed rock, long sightlines over Wharfedale - into a loop you can run from a train station. Spring brings ground-nesting birds to the moor, so keep dogs under control and stick to the main tracks during that period, but otherwise this is one of the more accessible serious moors in Yorkshire, accessible being the operative word given the rail link and the on-site facilities at the start.