Events & Learning opportunities

From the popular parking place at the Cow & Calf Rocks to the quieter areas beyond, discover the famous Cow and Calf Rocks, the geology of quarry faces, streams, a small gorge, a Cup and Ring Stone and Rocky Valley. This is a moderate walk of two hours, with lots of resting stops along the way, to make it a leisurely walk, some uphill walking involved.

Ilkley Moor is of course known for its wonderful moorland but on the lower reaches there are woodlands to be explored. This walk winds in and out of the atmospheric woods that form the lowest slopes of Ilkley Moor. Some up-hill walking involved and lovely views of Ilkley.

This event introduces people to the ecology and conservation of the peatland habitat on Ilkley Moor. Discover the work the Friends of Ilkley Moor have been doing in partnership with Bradford Council to help restore Ilkley Moor’s peatlands. Learn the benefits of this for biodiversity, flood alleviation, carbon capture and reduced fire risk. A moderate walk of four miles, with uphill climbing.

Discover the diversity of flora on the Moor; the trees, flowers, grasses, mosses and lichens of Ilkley Moor, in the full glory of summer. You will also learn about the conservation and management of these areas of the Moor. A moderate walk of three miles, with some uphill climbing involved, but well worth the effort.

This event introduces people to the ecology and conservation of the heathland habitat on Ilkley Moor. The event covers the identification, distribution and status of heathland, relevant legislation, habitat requirements and threats to habitat survival. People will also learn about the plant bracken, different methods to control this and to celebrate the Friends of Ilkley Moors success in securing funding to control bracken, in selected areas using a flailbot. A circular walk of 3 miles, with some uphill climbing.

Discover the beauty and special heritage of Ilkley Moor. This walk is perfect for those new to walking, people with push chairs or wheelchairs, or people who just want to take a gentle stroll surrounded by beautiful scenery. An easy walk of 1.5 miles on flat, sometimes slightly sloping paths.

This is a guided walk to discover the birds of Ilkley Moor. Ilkley Moor forms part of the South Pennine Moors Special Protection Area (SPA) designated under the European Union Bird’s Directive for its internationally important breeding birds. The Moor has evidence of a number of moorland species as well as woodland edge habitat that provides welcome shelter.

This walk takes you from the edge of the town on to the high moor, with wide views across Ilkley and the Wharfe Valley. The walk takes about two hours and is on reasonable paths, although there will be muddy areas in wet weather. The first part is all uphill but with a good break halfway at White Wells. We will start at Darwin Gardens.

A trail of discovery to introduce people to the different stones on the Moor, including the Stanza Stones. A circular walk of three miles starting and finishing at the Craiglands Hotel in Ilkley. This walk will use the newly restored lower footpath up to the Cow and Calf Rocks and will involve some uphill walking. Tea and scones will be available, for a charge, in the Craiglands bar at the end of the walk. The walk is from 1pm until 3pm with the option at 3pm to have tea and scones (price for tea and scones is £8).

Discover the wild edible and medicinal foods found on the Moor with our summer wild plant food forage; the perfect month to see nature’s bounty. We will have a good forage amongst the hedgerows, woodland, moorland and along the path edges. A moderate walk of three miles.

Learn about Ilkley’s rich history. Humans have lived here since the early bronze age and the Romans had a presence here. More latterly the town became famous as a spa town in the 19th century, with notable visitors including Charles Darwin, who came to take the ‘Water Cure’ at Wells House in 1859. The advent of the railway in 1865 bought additional visitors to Ilkley and a boom in the Victorian era, reflected in it’s beautiful architecture.

Discover the archaeology of Ilkley Moor. Important archaeological sites can be widely found on the Moor, with its famous bronze age carved rocks and prehistoric enclosures. Their importance is recognised and protected as scheduled monuments. This is a strenuous walk, with uphill walking, so bring your walking boots.

A four-mile walk starting on the lower slopes and gradually climbing to the Twelve Apostles standing stones; continuing to the Trig Point at 1,281 feet: the highest point on Ilkley Moor; and returning down Keighley Road. A strenuous walk of 4 hours, with uphill climbing. This walk uses rough moorland tracks and crosses boggy terrain.

A summer school holiday activity for children and young people to discover the landscape of the moor and the animals, insects and plants which live there. Wildlife identification, pond dipping and planting wildflower seeds (in pots to take home) will form part of this activity walk. An easy, slow walk of one mile.

A summer school holiday activity for children and young people to discover the landscape of the moor and the animals, insects and plants which live there. Wildlife identification, pond dipping and planting wildflower seeds (in pots to take home) will form part of this activity walk. An easy walk of about two miles.

A guided early evening walk to discover the night creatures of the Moor, and of course in particular bats. Bat detectors will be used to identify the presence of any bats. This is a moderate, atmospheric walk of about three miles around the tarns and within the pine woodland with some uphill climbing involved.

Take a walk that travels back in time to the Green Crag Slack area of Ilkley Moor, where there is the greatest concentration of archaeological features on the Moor. In the westerly extent of this part of the Moor lies Backstone Beck Enclosure; a settlement that may date back to late neolithic times. A moderate walk with some steep inclines and uphill climbing.

Climb to the highest point on the moor to discover areas of archaeological and geological interest. We will visit the Twelve Apostles stone circle, dating back to the Bronze Age and steeped in mystery. But widely believed to have a religious and ritualistic purpose involving ceremony and worship. This is a strenuous walk with uphill climbing.