Trail Running Planet · South Pennines · Rombalds Moor
Ilkley to Rombalds Moor Loop
Over 400 prehistoric cup-and-ring carved stones are scattered across this moor, and you'll pass several without trying - a working archaeological landscape disguised as an ordinary heather moor.
Distance
15.6 km
Ascent
373 m
Descent
373 m
Max elevation
402 m
Route type
Loop
Est. time
3h 10m – 4h 20m
Grade
Hard
Navigation
straightforward
Parking
LS29 8RF
Dogs
Welcome
Best seasons
spring, summer, autumn
About this route
A loop from Ilkley up onto Rombalds Moor, taking in the Cow and Calf rocks and the open heather moor above Ilkley, Burley and Hawksworth. 15.6km, 136m of ascent, on tracks across one of the most archaeologically rich moors in the country.
Hazards & notes
Heather moorland can disorientate quickly in mist or low cloud, even though paths are generally well used. Ground-nesting birds are present in spring, so keep dogs on the main tracks and under close control between March and July.
Emergency
Call 999 or 112 → ask for Police → request Mountain Rescue. Register Emergency SMS: text "register" to 999.
Full route, GPX download & live conditions:
https://trailrunningplanet.com/routes/england/south-pennines/rombalds-moor/ilkley-to-rombalds-moor-loop
trailrunningplanet.com