70 mins - Burley To The Hermit
Scenic route via Stead Lane
Steady climbs, nice views over fields.
From the Leeds/Bradford bound side of the train station take a left out of the station walk 50 metres down the hill towards Station Road.
Once on Station Road, take a left and you will pass almost immediately under the Railway Bridge.
Continue up the hill on Station Road which becomes Moor Lane after the Railway Bridge.
Walk up Moor Lane for about 500m. You will see Scalebor Park on your right hand side, a stretch of trees shielding the large football/cricket field and the beautiful stone houses overlooking it.
Waypoint 1:
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Take the first right turn immediately after passing Scalebor Park. There is a public footpath sign pointing you in the right direction. You will cross a small bridge over a stream.
Follow the single track road (and not the path that forks right towards Scalebor Park). After about 150m, head up the gravel path which cuts between 2 fields. Don’t follow the road straight on as that is private property.
At the end of the gravel path, take a right on the single track tarmacked road. The road passes Stone Croft, a hamlet of traditional stone built houses after-which the road deteriorates to become pitted.
Waypoint 2:
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About 100m beyond Stone Croft, take the left hand path – it’s well signposted as a public footpath.
This path is lined by wind swept gnarled old fir trees on your right hand side and fields to your left.
Once you have passed all the fir trees, go straight on through the metal swing gate. The path widens at this point and is much more grassy, with a stone wall on your left and a wire fence to your right. Dog owners please be aware that sheep are sometimes found in these fields.
Continue on for 750m or so through the wide metal gate into the horse field with jumps. Follow the path skirting the left hand side of this field through another wide metal gate. Once you have left the horse field, the path heads up a steeper hill with woodland on your right hand side. Follow the path through the field, and head towards the metal swing gate on your right hand side about half way up.
Waypoint 3:
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Go through the gate. Once through the swing gate you will see a single track road in front of you, this is Stead Lane. Right would take you towards Dog Kennels Farm, Ben Rhydding and Ilkley. You should take a left along this road and follow it as it winds its ways up and down the hill with drystone walls either side.
Eventually, the single track road bends to the right and up the hill passed Robin Hole Brownie Campsite, and meets Moor Road, at a sharp corner.
Waypoint 4:
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Cross over Moor Road keeping the bridge on your left. Follow the path up some steps and this will take you through a rutted carpark. Head through the metal swing gate and then take the left hand path. Dog walkers please note sheep are common round here. This will take you down a steep slope towards a stream where you will have to tread carefully across stepping stones. The path continues up the other side of the stream through some gorse, heather and ferns.
Waypoint 5:
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Here follow the path through the bracken and heather so you keep the drystone wall to your left and the moor to your right.
Don’t climb the hill, merely traverse it, broadly following one of the many paths keeping the drystone wall on your left.
After some time you will pass some nice stone houses on your left, and then shortly after you will see an old water station and metal gate in front of you.
Waypoint 6:
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Go through the metal gate and you will have Moor Road in front of you with The Triangle ahead of you and to your left.
Take a right on Moor Road and head up the hill.
The Finish Line:
Follow Moor Road for about 200m. You will have houses on your left and the moor on your right.
Once you reach the brow of the hill, the Hermit will appear on your left. And there a warm welcome, beautiful views and great food and drink await.
If you would like a shorter return route you can simply head back to The Triangle and follow the road straight down Moor Road to Burley in Wharfedale train station.