Ilkley Moor Walk

Ilkley Moor is one of the most iconic moors in Yorkshire. So much so that the song “On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at" has become the official anthem for Yorkshire! OK, you don't have to sing it on this walk if you don't want to – here are the lyrics just in case! However, there are many features on this walk that might leave you speechless. From the industrial heritage of the Five Rise Locks on the Leeds and Liverpool canal to the peaceful reservoir of Sunny Dale near East Morton and the thousands of years-old stone circle of The Twelve Apostles set in the middle of the beautiful moorland. And of course, the views from the top are quite something, including at Keighley Gate.

1. Essential info about the walk

2. WaW supporters along the walk

3. Map, elevation profile and downloadable files

4. Directions – Ilkley Moor Walk

5. More info about Ilkley Moor

Start: Crossflatts Railway Station

Difficulty: Hard – 5 hours – 11.8 Miles

Toilets: Unfortunately, there are no attended public toilets on this walk. The closest are on Myrtle Place (by the market square) in Bingley town centre.

Refreshments: there are many shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs in town but below are specifics businesses which we recommend if you go on this walk. Feel free to visit their site and contact them.

The Dick Hudsons

A great countryside pub serving delicious food all year round. They are really walkers and dog friendly so don't hesitate to pay them a visit on this walk!

The Five Rise Locks Café

A charming little café serving dairy ice cream and located in the former stables of the Five Rise Locks.

Crossflatts railway station

Keighley Road
Crossflatts
Bingley
West Yorkshire
BD16 2RZ

Grid Reference: SE 103 402

Unfortunately, we can’t provide the route on an Ordnance Survey Map. Although we have provided digital versions of the track below, we still recommend that you acquire an O.S. Map for backup.

Find out more about these downloadable files and how to use them

Last edited: 10th September 2023

1. Starting from Crossflatts Railway Station turn right on Keighley Road and cross the bridge over the railway track and bypass – which is named after Bingley born astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle. Just after the bridge, on your right you will see an opening in the wall leading onto Ivy Mews. Carry on walking in this residential area up until an intersection. Go straight on onto Newark Road up to Canal Road. Then turn right and you will be on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. From there turn left and follow the canal towpath. There are usually plenty of boats moored on this stretch of the canal. Cross the first swing bridge on Micklethwaite Lane and carry on to the second one on Morton Lane. Turn right on the swing bridge and look for an opening in the wall just after the bridge. The path will lead you to East Morton through some beautiful fields and meadows. When you find yourself in the outskirt of East Morton, turn right on Dimples Lane then left again onto a path between some houses. At the end of this path, you will be on Main Road. Turn left and cross the road almost straight away to go opposite onto Green End Road.

2. Green End Road is a very picturesque place lined up with stone terrace houses almost all the way – a scene typical of the Pennines and Yorkshire villages. Once you've past the old cemetery on your right it won't be long before you arrive at the end of the village. The road will become a track and at a fork turn left onto Upwood Lane – you should see a sign “Weak Bridge – 13T m g w". Upwood Lane follows the wall of the old East Morton Hall on your right. When you arrive at a fork of three paths, keep following the wall and take the first right. Soon you will be at another intersection, go straight on a track through fields. This track will lead to Sunny Dale woods. Soon you will see a dam, stay on the track to cross the dam and once on the other side take a path into the woods on your left. You will skirt the reservoir. Keep following the path meandering through the woods. Eventually the path will come out of the woods onto a farm track. Go left on the track towards Upwood Hall Farm. Before you reach the farm, there is a path on the right avoiding going through it. At the end of the path you will be on Ilkley Road.

3. Turn right on Ilkley Road, a straight tarmac road through the moors. Go all the way up to Keighley Gate where the tarmac road ends. You should see a communication tower there. Go through the gate and keep right walking along the wall on a well laid stone paved path. You are now on Ilkey Moor and soon you will be at its summit recognisable thanks to the trig point. You are now at 402 metres above the sea! Time to sing? Or just keep walking on the path up until you find an intersection. Go straight on and after a short while take right to join another path known as the Dales Way Link. You are not far away from the Twelve Apostles, a stone circle said to be thousands of years old – definitely worth a break! Once you are ready, carry on the path up to a fork. Turn right towards the wall staying on the Dales Way Link. Cross the gate through the wall and walk all the way to Otley Road. You will leave Bingley Moor and the dramatic moorland landscape will make way for green lush fields and meadows landscape.

4. Cross Otley Road very carefully as traffic can be very busy and cars coming from the left don't have much visibility over that spot. We recommend crossing and going right and through a hole in the wall into Dick Hudsons car park.

Note: why not stop at Dick Hudsons for a well deserving drink? They are Walkers are Welcome friendly. The beer garden has lovely views over the valley too!

After the pub, make your way towards the intersection and follow Otley Road towards “Menston, Ilkley" as sign posted. Keep right walking on the verge. Again, this is a very busy road at times so be careful when walking along it. After a short while, turn right at a hole in the wall and walk across the field towards Toils Farm. In the corner of the field, turn right and go through two stiles above walls. Cross a short field and then cross Toils Farm farmyard. Go straight on the farmtrack to Otley Road. Go left but be careful as you will be walking against oncoming traffic. After a short while, turn right onto a signed rights of way path. This track will lead you to Eldwick Beck reservoir. At the bottom, there is a little ford to pass and then you will be on a well laid stone paved path. At the end of that path, turn right towards Tewitt House. Then go all the way up to Heights Lane. Cross the road carefully and go straight on through the wall. You'll then find yourself into a field. Go right at a 45° angle and follow the clock tower in the distance. This clock tower belongs to the former Teacher's Training School on Lady Lane. The building has now been transformed into luxury apartment accommodation. Once you are on the other side of the field, go right and follow the wall. There are a couple of stiles to pass and then you will see an opening in the wall on your left. Go through it and you are now back in a residential area.

5. Make your way from College Road to Lady Lane. Turn right up Lady Lane. Once you've passed Dene Bank, look for a gate on the left. This is leading into some woods and a path running along a Beck and some beautiful houses gardens. The path will arrive onto Oakwood Drive. Turn right and left onto Pinedale. At the end of Pinedale, another path leads onto Gawthorpe Drive. Go straight on to find some steps leading onto another path. However, if you turn right at the end of Gawthorpe Drive is Gawthorpe Hall, one of the oldest building in Bingley – definitely worth a gander even though it's a private property. Back to the steps, go down the path up to Beck Lane. Turn right and follow the lane along the allotment garden. At the roundabout, turn left towards the canal. You are now at the top of Bingley Five Rise Locks. Take a break here and admire this feat of engineering.

Note: The Five Rise Locks Café is also a great place to relax after this long walk! They serve excellent ice cream too.

Once you are ready, walk away from the locks along the towpath. After a short while, turn left onto sleningford Road. Pass the bowling ground and carry on walking up to the intersection with Ivy Mews. You are almost back to where you started from. Make your way back to the train station.

The Friends of Ilkley Moor is a voluntary and democratic group composed of people who love Ilkley Moor and want to see it conserved and improved for future generations.

They have a series of heritage walks on their website. We highly recommend to take a look in case you want to further discover Ilkley Moor on another walk!

The short answer is yes! However, during the ground-nesting bird breeding season (1st March to 31st July) you need to keep your dog on a short lead (defined as less than 2m).

More Information

Please note: Bingley is a dog friendly place and many establishments will gladly accept your four legged friend

Wheear 'as ta bin sin ah saw thee,
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at?!

Wheear 'as ta bin sin ah saw thee?
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at?!
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at?!

Tha's been a cooartin' Mary Jane
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Tha's been a cooartin' Mary Jane
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Tha's bahn t'catch thi deeath o'cowd
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Tha's bahn t'catch thi deeath o'cowd
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Then we shall ha' to bury thee
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Then we shall ha' to bury thee
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Then t'worms 'll cum and eat thee oop
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Then t'worms 'll cum and eat thee oop
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Then ducks 'll cum and eat oop t'worms
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Then ducks 'll cum and eat oop t'worms
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Then we shall go an' ate oop ducks
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Then we shall go an' ate oop ducks
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Then we shall all 'ave etten thee
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Then we shall all 'ave etten thee
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

That's wheer we get us oahn back
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

That's wheer we get us oahn back
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at
On Ilkla Moor baht 'at

Have you done this walk yourself? Don't hesitate to give us some feedback by leaving a comment below!