Ilkley Moor, a place so great it has its own song! On Ilkla Moor Baht’at (on Ilkley Moore without a hat) is an old folk song with lyrics sung in a Yorkshire dialect but with a universal message; don’t forget to wear a hat on your Ilkley Moor walk because the winds are very strong!
Ilkley Moor is a legendary walking destination. Located in West Yorkshire in the vicinity of Bradford, the natural beauty of this area is immeasurable. Known also as Bronte area, Wuthering Heights was famously set near the withered moors of this locale.
Dependent on the distance you want to travel there are many routes you can take on Ilkley Moor. Most are moderate to easy and will take in the ancient relics that make this area so popular.
To pursue any walk on the moors, always take a map and a compass.
Located on Ilkley Moor are many natural and manmade phenomena. The Swastika Stone is a popular curiosity as are the Badger Stone and St. Margaret’s Stone, all slabs of rock with carvings on them, thought to date back to the Neolithic or Bronze Age. Some of these carvings are simple, other very intricate. See how many you can spot as you take your walk.
Another destination is the Hangingstone Rocks, also known as Cow and Calf. These are two rocks situated next to each other like a cow and its calf. Legend has it that a giant split the two rocks as he was fleeing his enemy.
A great way to explore the routes on Ilkley Moor is to join a guided tour with a local. This way you can hear all the folklore associated with the area from an experienced guide who will know the best routes to accommodate your interests.
