The Cow & Calf & 12 Apostles Stone Circle loop of Ilkley Moor

Hiking trails & Routes

United Kingdom

England

Yorkshire And The Humber

Bradford

Ilkley

The Cow & Calf & 12 Apostles Stone Circle loop of Ilkley Moor

Moderate

4.7

(176)

648

hikers

The Cow & Calf & 12 Apostles Stone Circle loop of Ilkley Moor

02:46

9.56km

250m

Hiking

Embark on a moderate 5.9-mile (9.6 km) hike around Ilkley Moor, gaining 833 feet (254 metres) in elevation over approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes. This loop takes you across varied terrain, from rubble paths and muddy tracks to paved sections, with some steep ascents and descents. You will encounter…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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1.54 km

Cow and Calf Rocks

Highlight • Natural Monument

Cow and Calf Rocks are an impressive rocky outcrop high on Ilkley Moor. From the rocks, you get sublime views over Ilkley and Wharfedale. You can have a lot of …

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3.83 km

Twelve Apostles Stone Circle, Ilkley Moor

Highlight • Natural Monument

The Twelve Apostles is a beautiful stone circle in an atmospheric setting on Ilkley Moor. The stone circle dates to the Bronze Age (3000-1200 BC) and would have served a …

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5.07 km

Rombalds Moor Trig Point

Highlight • Natural Monument

From the trig point on Rombalds Moor, you get breathtaking views up Wharfedale to Great Whernside and over the vast urban conurbations of Leeds and Bradford. In very clear conditions, …

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5.39 km

Puddle Stone (Stanza Stones Trail)

Highlight • Monument

The Stanza Stones Trail is a 47-mile (76 km) walking route from Marsden to Ilkley. Along the way, there are six ‘stanza stones’; poems by Simon Armitage which have been carved into stone. This one is the ‘Puddle Stone’.

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9.56 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.38 km

2.62 km

1.64 km

785 m

126 m

Surfaces

2.82 km

2.79 km

2.32 km

957 m

523 m

148 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (400 m)

Lowest point (140 m)

Weather

Saturday 10 October

12°C

4°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

August 16, 2026,Cow and Calf & 12 Apostles loop on Ilkley Moor

The bit by Backstone Beck was badly overgrown, you might be better off with the path to the west of the beck

May 16, 2025,Ilkley Moor - Cow & Calf, 12 Apostles Stones & Rombalds Moor

Absolutely stunning stomp over ilkley moor, taking a car free adventure and using only the train 🙌🏼

First proper solo hike in a while and it was soooo good to be out in nature 🌿