About

The walk starts at Darwin Gardens car park, follows Mill Ghyll down to the Grove in Ilkley, and then down to New Brook Street. We follow the riverside path to the Old Bridge (toilets available), picking up the start of the Dales Way alongside the River Wharfe and then field paths to reach the old road towards Addingham. We turn off this to walk through the historic mill hamlet of Low Mill to the edge of Addingham. After crossing the A65, we follow field paths and tracks gently up hill at first to the edge of Addingham Moor. We then climb steeply up moor paths to reach Wind Gate Nick, where we follow the Millennium Way on the level edge of the moor escarpment back to Ilkley. There are great views towards Upper Wharfedale, and we pass Woodhouse Crag with its enigmatic neolithic / early bronze age carving of the Swastika Stone.

Start time and projected finish time: 10am with a projected finish time of about 3.30pm

Start and finish point: Darwin Gardens Car Park, Wells Road, Ilkley, LS29 9TF

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Distance: 15km or 9.3 miles.

Ascent: 348m or 1141 ft.

Difficulty: the route is moderately strenuous with one steep climb and is rocky in one or two places. Otherwise, paths are generally good. Walking poles would be an advantage, and walking shoes or boots essential. Please bring waterproofs.

Food: please bring a picnic lunch, snacks and plenty to drink.

Public transport information

Airedale: train from Bradford Forster Square to Ilkley. 8.47am train arrives 9.19am. 62 bus from Keighley to Ilkley. 8.45am bus arrives Ilkley 9.26am.

Wharfedale: train from Leeds to Ilkley. 9.03am train arrives Ilkley 9.31am. X84 bus from Leeds to Ilkley. 8.31am bus arrives Ilkley 9.34am.

From Ilkley train and bus stations, cross over Station Road using zebra crossing. Turn right, then first left up Wells Road.