50 mins -Burley to Hermit
Across fields via Hag Farm
Steady climb, good views, can be muddy.
Note: Please be aware there may be cows and sheep in fields at certain times of year - keep dogs on leads as appropriate.
From the Ilkley bound side of the train station, walk out of the station on to Hag Farm Road. This is a tree covered single track road. Take a left on Hag Farm Road, so that you have the railway track on your left and houses on your right.
Waypoint 1:
Continue straight on Hag Farm Road, until the road turns right after the house. Go through the wooden gate on your left at the corner into the field.
Once you have gone through the wooden gate, continue for about 1 mile keeping the railway line on your left. You will cross over 2 footbridges over little streams and you will see fields opening up to your right as you walk.
Waypoint 2:
The footpath will eventually turn right where a hedgerow forces you away from the railway line (there is a tunnel going left under the railway line - don’t go this way!). Follow the path in this general direction towards the moors.
You will pass a menage on your left and then the path will broadly follow a stream coming down from the moor.
You will cross 3 footbridges over little streams and pass through a few swing gates and squeeze stiles in walls. The stream should always be on your left. At the end of this stretch of path through the fields, you will eventually pass through another squeeze stile into a field with trees on your left. Follow the path and head through a final squeeze stile at the top of this field.
Waypoint 3:
Immediately on passing through the stile you are presented with a choice: taking a sharp left on this path would take you to Bleach Mill Road and eventually Menston (don’t go this way!), instead take a right along the track traversing up the hill with the wall on your right towards a large metal gate with Hagg Farm beyond.
Pass through this gate and follow the main path heading directly to the right of Hagg Farm itself. Then through the metal gate next to the big wooden farm gate with Hagg Farm just on your left and continue through the (sometimes very) muddy field.
Waypoint 4:
You will reach a rusty old metal gate in the top corner of the field.
Waypoint 5:
Go through the rusty gate and follow the path for 50 metre crossing over Stoney Lane and through another old rusty gate into the field.
The path now traverses the hillside moving gently uphill. Immediately after the path crosses the remnants of the old drystone wall that used to separate 2 fields, take a left following the path that goes directly up the hill. The Hermit should be in sight.
Waypoint 6:
Go through another swing gate at the top of the field and then follow a short section of 20m or so with a wire fence on your left and a hedge on your right.
You will come out on a driveway. Follow the tarmac driveway steeply up the hill that curves up to your right and then you will find yourself at the entrance to the pub car park. This is a steep walk and you will have earned your reward!
