Ilkley is a town in West Yorkshire, positioned at the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The region's geography is characterized by the expansive Ilkley Moor, featuring iconic gritstone formations like the Cow and Calf Rocks, and the picturesque Wharfe Valley with its riverside paths. This diverse terrain supports a range of outdoor activities, including several sports like hiking, road cycling, jogging, touring cycling, and more. Ilkley's natural features provide varied landscapes for outdoor exploration.
167
Routes
4.6
(499)
Average rating
7095
People visited

4.7
(152)
570
hikers
9.56km
02:46
250m
260m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(25)
99
hikers
11.6km
03:20
270m
270m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(13)
42
hikers
18.1km
05:08
400m
400m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.6
(23)
162
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
137
riders
32.6km
01:46
530m
530m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.7
(7)
496
riders
45.5km
02:15
550m
550m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.7
(3)
212
riders
31.0km
01:33
350m
350m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
180
riders
47.8km
02:07
440m
440m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.0
(4)
15
riders
31.0km
02:42
620m
620m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.6
(5)
36
riders
56.5km
02:56
290m
290m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

14
riders
31.7km
02:17
630m
630m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
riders
39.4km
02:47
770m
770m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(2)
8
runners
10.5km
01:17
300m
300m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

340
runners
18.7km
02:01
170m
170m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
172
runners
11.2km
01:11
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
106
runners
9.53km
01:18
360m
360m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(19)
56
riders
23.6km
01:55
410m
410m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(1)
25
riders
50.0km
03:41
770m
770m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
19
riders
21.9km
01:36
340m
340m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(1)
14
riders
36.6km
02:46
630m
630m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(5)
104
riders
22.9km
01:25
180m
180m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
73
riders
19.4km
01:21
300m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

70
riders
33.6km
02:19
540m
540m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
65
riders
45.7km
02:57
560m
560m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Ilkley offers a range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Road cycling, Jogging, Touring cycling, Mountain biking, and Gravel biking. The region features 482 routes on komoot, with over 57,000 visitors contributing to an average rating of 4.64 out of 5 stars. This diverse landscape caters to various interests and skill levels.
Ilkley Moor provides numerous hiking opportunities, including routes to the iconic Cow and Calf Rocks. Hikers can explore a variety of terrains, from rugged moorland to gentle riverside paths along the River Wharfe. For detailed options, consult the Hiking around Ilkley guide.
Yes, Ilkley offers several family-friendly walking routes, often featuring less challenging terrain and shorter distances. Areas like the riverside paths along the Wharfe Valley and certain sections of Bolton Abbey are suitable for families. The Family-friendly hikes around Ilkley guide provides specific recommendations.
Many trails in Ilkley and the surrounding areas are suitable for dogs, provided they are kept under control, especially near livestock. Ilkley Moor and paths around Bolton Abbey are popular choices for dog walkers. Specific routes can be found in the Dog-friendly hikes around Ilkley guide.
Key natural landmarks include Ilkley Moor, a vast expanse of heather-clad upland, and the prominent Cow and Calf Rocks. The River Wharfe and its valley also feature, along with Bolton Abbey and its historic ruins. Further afield, Malham Cove and Janet's Foss offer dramatic limestone scenery and waterfalls.
Ilkley offers a variety of road cycling routes, ranging from relatively flat sections in the Wharfe Valley to more challenging ascents on the moors. The Ilkley Cycling Club maintains an extensive library of routes. Cyclists can find suitable options in the Road Cycling Routes around Ilkley guide.
The terrain around Ilkley is diverse, ranging from the rugged, windswept moorland of Ilkley Moor to gentle, paved riverside paths. Trails can include gritstone formations, grassy tracks, and woodland paths. This variety caters to different preferences and fitness levels across hiking and cycling disciplines.
Ilkley is a popular destination on komoot, with 482 routes available across various sports. More than 57,000 visitors have explored the region, contributing to over 6,000 ratings. The average rating for routes in Ilkley is 4.64 out of 5 stars.
Yes, Ilkley provides easy hiking routes suitable for beginners or those seeking a relaxed walk. These often follow riverside paths or less strenuous sections of the moor. The Easy hikes around Ilkley guide offers specific suggestions for accessible trails.
Information on cycling routes in Ilkley is available through komoot guides, covering various cycling types. The Road Cycling Routes around Ilkley and Cycling around Ilkley guides provide detailed options. The Ilkley Cycling Club also maintains an extensive route library.
Komoot offers several guides for Ilkley, including Hiking around Ilkley, Family-friendly hikes around Ilkley, and Road Cycling Routes around Ilkley. Other guides cover running, easy hikes, waterfall hikes, traffic-free bike rides, and dog-friendly options.
For visitor information regarding Ilkley, the Ilkley Library and Visitor Information Centre can be contacted. The official phone number for visitor inquiries is +441943436212. Additional information can be found on the official website, ilkleytowncouncil.gov.uk.
Ilkley offers routes suitable for mountain biking, with 14 dedicated MTB routes and 5 easy MTB routes available on komoot. The diverse terrain, including sections of Ilkley Moor, provides options for off-road cycling. These routes cater to various skill levels within the mountain biking discipline.
Yes, Ilkley is well-served by public transport, making several routes accessible without a car. Many trails start near bus stops or the train station in Ilkley. The Hikes from bus stations around Ilkley guide provides specific routes that begin near public transport links.

