Ilkley Moor is one of my favourite places to walk and climb and generally work up a sweat and get a bit mucky. Starting off at the bottom and working your way up through the masses and masses of greenery and rocky terrain is just flippin marvellous in my humble opinion, especially on a nice warm day.
Stock up on the energy food, and wear sensible shoes, take plenty of water, as if you're fully intent on a full day's trek you can definitely fill a day in walking. There are smaller inclines to wander around, and for the more adventurous there's the steeper holy crap I hope that there's something for me to grip inclines, but whatever your route it's certainly picturesque. Starting from the train station up, it's a steep incline no matter which route you take, but the plus point is when you start to see the cow and calf rocks, you know you've hit at least one peak, and that feeling is even more rewarded when you notice to your left that the Cow and Calf Inn is there and open for business.
There's some sort of local legend associated with the naming of Cow and Calf, I believe a giant is involved and splitting of the calf from the cow. Go figure. It's a laugh to climb the larger stones, it's even funnier when one of your mates scurries up all triumphant and then realises he can't get down.
Wandering around the Cow and Calf rocks and heading towards the right, you've got even more territory to climb and explore, this time less grassy more sandy and loose rocks, but still as much fun, plus if you follow the route all the way down, and it's summer, you more than likely end up just left or right of a cleverly situated ice cream van, which is hearty reward for all the energy you've expended. I love it, it's truly picturesque and untainted, and the fine weather really does enhance Ilkley Moor, parties of people gather to climb, picnic, barbeque or just laze around, and although all of my escapades have been pre-evening, I've never experienced any trouble whatsoever. Ilkley Moor I love you, even more so knowing you've got a silly ditty in your honour...On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at anyone? read more