Ebor Way: Menston to Ilkley

The final stage of the Ebor Way is perhaps the most dramatic, crossing the high northern slopes of Ilkley Moor. It's perhaps best known as the subject of the Yorkshire anthem 'On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at' (which is in fact dialect for 'on Ilkley Moor without a hat'). This large expanse of rough heather moor, part of the wider Rombalds Moor, is a little gem of wild upland, a popular destination for walkers and also rich in wildlife - look out for red grouse and skylarks, in particular. The route out of Menston is along easy lanes and tracks that traverse the hillside. Beyond Burley Woodhead you enter the moors properly, with a short but steep climb to get on to the tops. From then on you keep your elevation and can enjoy a continuous panorama over Wharfedale. Although there are numerous paths and tracks, the overall direction is clear and soon the unmistakable Cow and Calf Rocks appear, with Ilkley in the valley bottom beyond. Ilkley is a fine old spa town and a fitting place to end the Ebor Way.

Standing on the corner of Cleasby Road facing Main Street, in the centre of Menston, turn right and walk through the village heading north west. Go past the Menston Arms and continue on until the road turns sharply left. Here turn right on Bleach Mill Lane, signposted ‘Public Footpath, Burley Woodhead’. Sweep left past the houses and follow the track between fields to reach the entrance to the former mill. Take the path to the left of the building.

The route is nearly straight, making its way across the hillside and passing close to the right of Hag Farm. Continue through several stiles to reach a drive, at the top of which is The Hermit pub (see While You're There).

The trail carries straight on at the foot of the road, across the fields through more stiles, to turn left up the next drive. At the top turn right down the road, then left on a track that climbs to Barks Crag and is signposted 'Ilkley and Ebor Way'.

The next section of the walk is across rough, open moorland and follows the escarpment edge above Wharfedale. Follow any one of several tracks up to the edge and follow it north westwards high above the valley. Eventually it swings round to the large outcrops called the Cow and Calf Rocks. The town of Ilkley is now in sight below, while ahead and over to your left are Ilkley Crags.

From the rocks, locate the footpath sign for Ilkley and follow this through trees until you gradually drop down across more open slopes to a footbridge. Continue on past a pond (The Tarn), then on a tarmac path to the outskirts of Ilkley. Go through a gate, turn right and walk down the pavement into the town. Go over two crossroads and all the way down to reach the River Wharfe.

Turn left on the nearside bank through Riverside Gardens and along to the old packhorse bridge. This is the end of the Ebor Way and the start of the Dales Way.