Dales Way Link – Leeds to Ilkley
A 20-mile long-distance walk linking the city of Leeds with the starting point of the Dales Way in Ilkley. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SE 293 350
Distance: 20 miles (32 km)
Time: 8–10 hours
Duration: 1 day
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
288 Bradford, Huddersfield and East Calderdale
289 Leeds, Harrogate, Wetherby and Pontefract
297 Lower Wharfedale and Washburn Valley
Summary
The Dales Way Link from Leeds to Ilkley is a permissive walking route allowing walkers in and around West Yorkshire’s premier city to reach the start of the very popular Dales Way long-distance walking route on foot. It is one of three link routes from conurbations in Yorkshire, the others being Bradford to Ilkley and Harrogate to Ilkley. The Dales Way starts in Ilkley and crosses parts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Lake District National Park to finish on the shore of Lake Windermere. From Woodhouse Moor in central Leeds, the link — which is a lovely linear walk in its own right — heads to Ilkley via Woodhouse Cliff, Meanwood Valley, Adel Woods, Eccup Reservoir, Bramhope, Caley Deer Park, Otley Chevin Forest Park, Menston, Burley Moor, and the Cow and Calf Rocks.