Evening Walk

Cow & Calf Pub to Dick Hudsons & Back

Date: Saturday

Meeting: The Cow & Calf Pub, Hangingstone Rd, Ilkley LS29 8BT

Setting off time: Meeting time 2.30 pm Setting off time 3 pm

(If you miss the start time, please feel free to follow the route below)

This is a brilliant walk—classic Yorkshire stuff with big skies, moorland drama, and a proper pub in the middle. Here's a nice circular route from the Cow and Calf Rocks to Dick Hudson’s and back. It's about 7-8 miles, moderate difficulty, and should take around 3 to 4 hours, depending on pace and pub time.

🌄 Start: Cow and Calf Rocks (Ilkley Moor)

Park up at the Cow and Calf car park, maybe take in the view from the rocks first—on a clear day you get miles of scenery.
Head east along the moor, following the Dales Way Link or the Millennium Way path. You'll be walking parallel to the road, gradually climbing onto the open moor.

🌿 Across Ilkley Moor

Once you’re up, turn onto the Millennium Way heading towards Addingham High Moor and Burley Moor.
The path undulates across the tops—heather, gritstone outcrops, and maybe some grouse or curlews if you're lucky.
Keep an eye out for tall stone boundary markers and trig points, especially at Whetstone Gate.

🍺 Stop: Dick Hudson’s Pub

The path drops down gently towards Dick Hudson’s, which sits right on the edge of the moor near Eldwick.
It’s a classic old coaching inn—get a pint, maybe a pie or chips, and enjoy the view across the Aire Valley from their terrace.

🥾 Return Loop

Head back up past the pub, then take the path northwest up onto Keighley Road, but instead of returning exactly the same way, take a more northerly line back across the moor.
You can veer off the Millennium Way and follow the track towards the Twelve Apostles stone circle—a little detour, but well worth it for the ancient vibe and views.
Then loop back west, gradually descending again towards the Cow and Calf.

🧭 General Tips:

Bring a map or GPS (OL21 Ordnance Survey map is perfect).
Waterproofs and good boots are a must—it can change quickly up there.
If it's misty, stick to clear paths or use a route app like OS Maps or AllTrails.

Cow & Calf Website: https://www.vintageinn.co.uk/restaurants/yorkshire/thecowandcalfilkley?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gmb-homepage#/
Toilets: The Cow & Calf Pub or Dick Hudsons
Torch: Can you please bring a power torch
Health & Safety: Child Friendly: Yes, Basic Medical kit: Yes, please ask me, the walk leader, Dog Friendly: Yes