About

This is a demanding walk with several stiles requiring a good degree of flexibility and some steepish ascents and descents with a total ascent and descent of 1200 feet. The route deviates from the Millennium Way official route due to problematic rail and road crossings.
Leaving the village of Laycock we ascend gently on field paths, crossing stiles at the field boundaries. After around an hour, we start our descent towards Silsden on a minor road, before joining an attractive footpath with great views, and through woodland, to arrive at Eastburn. We follow lanes to join a footpath along the boundary of Airedale Hospital, before walking through the hospital grounds to start our return ascent. We rise through the attractive Cutter Wood, before retracing our steps on quiet (now ascending) roads to reach Redcar Reservoir where we can enjoy watching the wildfowl. The final section of the walk takes us through Braithwaite and then across fields to return to Laycock.

Distance: 8.5 miles

Difficulty: hard.

Clothing: bring suitable clothing, waterproofs and boots for any wet or uneven ground. Some muddy stretches after rain.

Food: bring plenty of water and a packed lunch. No cafes on the route, but the volunteers at Laycock Village Hall will open up to offer tea/ coffee before and at the end of the walk. Please bring some cash.

No dogs on the walk.