Countryside guided walks

The purpose of this Guided Walks programme is primarily to introduce people to walking in the Bradford District. You may be surprised at the variety of landscape and wildlife to be experienced both in the countryside that we have, and in the urban areas.

The aims of the walks are to provide a safe, friendly atmosphere in which you can become familiar with the local routes, landscapes and rights of way - the first step in devising your own routes so you can explore further, or join up with one of the local walking groups.

Unless otherwise stated in the walk information, walks are free. You will however be expected to pay your own fare if your walk involves the use of public transport.

The walks will normally be paced at 2 miles per hour but will take longer on themed walks and also where there is some difficulty or where there are large numbers of walkers. All mileage is approximate. The walk guide or activity leader reserves the right to cancel or amend the walk or activity in the light of problems which may effect the safety of the walk party.

Please note: the leader reserves the right to refuse to allow any walker to join in if inadequately dressed or would clearly struggle to complete the walk. Dogs are not allowed on the walks, unless needed as a support or guide dog.

Walkers are requested to keep behind the leader in order that a pace can be maintained for the benefit of all the party.

Where public transport information is given, anyone planning to use buses or trains is asked to check timetables for changes:

Approximate timings

Mileage	Approximate time
1 mile (1.6km)	30 minutes
2 miles (3.2km)	1 hour
3 miles (4.8km)	1.5 hours
4 miles (6.4km)	2 hours
5 miles (8km)	2.5 hours
6 miles (9.7km)	3 hours
7 miles (11.2km)	3.5 hours
8 miles (12.8km)	4 hours
9 miles (14.4km)	4.5 hours
10 miles (16km)	5 hours
11 miles (17.7km)	5.5 hours

* Little or no difficulty

** Some difficulty

*** A difficult walk

Millennium Way Walks for 2025

During 2025, several walking groups have come together to offer a series of 16 circular walks based on the Bradford Millennium Way which was launched 25 years ago. The walks will take place on Saturdays at 3 week intervals from January through to November 2025 as our contribution to the Bradford 2025 programme. All the groups offer their own programme of walks in addition to this Millennium Way programme.

Information about the Millennium Way and advice on buying the guides to the route is available on the Bradford Millennium Way Walks website.

Saturday, 27 September 2025 Addingham circular led by Bradford HF

Start time: 10.30am
Finish time: expected 4pm
Start point: Addingham Memorial Hall car park, Main Street, Addingham, Ilkley, LS29 0LZ
What3words: ///angle.canal.wells
Distance: 9.5 miles (15.3 km)

Brief description: from Addingham Memorial car park we head up to the top of the village along the road for about 0.75 miles.We take the footpath by the side of the allotments and and steep steps down to cross a stream using the stepping stones, up towards Addingham Moorside and over a ford. We cross the Addingham bypass on the outward and inward journey. The path is mainly through fields with livestock and on narrow overgrown paths. We cross more than 30 stiles which are mostly stone step and pinch stiles. There are no toilet facilities along the route. The return route is back along the road for 0.75 miles to the memorial hall.

Difficulty: moderate with 1000 ft of ascent over 2 climbs. The walk is boggy and muddy in places and will be slippy when wet. Some of the stone step stiles are quite tricky.

What to bring: appropriate clothing and footwear should be worn. Walking boots and gaiters are strongly recommended.

Food: bring a packed lunch and a drink. There are several pubs and coffee shops and a sandwich shop as well as a Co op if you forget your packed lunch.

Parking: there are two small car parks in Addingham and some roadside parking on Crossbank Road ( leading to Parsons Lane) and on Bark Lane. We have been asked to NOT park at the memorial hall as they have a coffee morning on that day. Car sharing is advisable or using public transport.

Public transport: from Bradford or Leeds take the Wharfedale line train to Ilkley and one of two buses from Ilkley Bus Station - next to the Railway Station. The 64 bus to Skipton leaves Ilkley Bus Station at 9.05 or 10.05 taking 10 to 12 minutes to get to Addingham. The 62 bus to Keighley leaves Ilkley Bus Station at 9.44 or 10.14 taking 10 to 12 minutes to reach Addingham. There is a bus stop near the Memorial Hall. The 62 bus can also be used to reach Addingham from Keighley. A bus leaves Keighley Bus Station at 9.45 and takes about 30 mins to reach Addingham. Please check bus times with WY Metro website. There may be timetable changes before the walk.

Saturday, 18 October 2025 Millennium Way Circular No 14: Addingham Moor circular, led by Burley in Wharfedale Walkers are Welcome

Start time and projected finish time: 10am with a projected finish time of about 3.30pm

Start and finish point: Darwin Gardens Car Park, Wells Road, Ilkley, LS29 9TF

what3words: ramble.postings.unhappy

Distance: 15km or 9.3 miles.

Ascent: 348m or 1141 ft.

The walk starts at Darwin Gardens car park, follows Mill Ghyll down to the Grove in Ilkley, and then down to New Brook Street. We follow the riverside path to the Old Bridge (toilets available), picking up the start of the Dales Way alongside the River Wharfe and then field paths to reach the old road towards Addingham. We turn off this to walk through the historic mill hamlet of Low Mill to the edge of Addingham. After crossing the A65, we follow field paths and tracks gently up hill at first to the edge of Addingham Moor. We then climb steeply up moor paths to reach Wind Gate Nick, where we follow the Millennium Way on the level edge of the moor escarpment back to Ilkley. There are great views towards Upper Wharfedale, and we pass Woodhouse Crag with its enigmatic neolithic / early bronze age carving of the Swastika Stone.

Difficulty: the route is moderately strenuous with one steep climb and is rocky in one or two places. Otherwise, paths are generally good. Walking poles would be an advantage, and walking shoes or boots essential. Please bring waterproofs.

Food: please bring a picnic lunch, snacks and plenty to drink.

Public transport information

Airedale: train from Bradford Forster Square to Ilkley. 8.47am train arrives 9.19am. 62 bus from Keighley to Ilkley. 8.45am bus arrives Ilkley 9.26am.

Wharfedale: train from Leeds to Ilkley. 9.03am train arrives Ilkley 9.31am. X84 bus from Leeds to Ilkley. 8.31am bus arrives Ilkley 9.34am.

From Ilkley train and bus stations, cross over Station Road using zebra crossing. Turn right, then first left up Wells Road. Darwin Gardens car park is half a mile steeply uphill on the right. Car parking is free.

2025 Programme of all 16 walks

Full details of all the walks will be posted here during the year.

Date	Number	Title of walk	Distance	To be led by (name of walking organisation)
18 January	1	Bracken Hall circular (includes edge of Bingley)	8 miles	Baildon Walkers are Welcome
8 February	2	Bingley circular	6.5 miles	Bingley Walkers are Welcome
1 March	3	Cullingworth circular	7 miles	Midweek Wayfarers
22 March	4	Denholme circular	6.5 miles	Bradford CHA
12 April	5	Oxenhope circular (1)	5 miles	Bradford CHA
3 May	6	Haworth circular	5 miles	Bradford CHA
24 May	7	Oxenhope circular (2)	6.5 miles	Baildon Walkers are Welcome
14 June	8	Penistone Hill circular	6 miles	Midweek Wayfarers
5 July	9	Stanbury Circular	8 miles	Bradford CHA
26 July	10	Laycock Circular (West)	7.5 miles	Midweek Wayfarers
16 August	11	Laycock circular (NE)	10 miles	Baildon Walkers are Welcome
6 September	12	Silsden Circular	6 miles	Midweek Wayfarers
27 September	13	Addingham Circular	8.5 miles	Bradford HF Group
18 October	14	Ilkley circular (West)	9 miles	Burley in Wharfedale Walkers are Welcome
8 November	15	Ilkley Moor circular (South)	10.5 miles	Burley in Wharfedale Walkers are Welcome
29 November	16	Baildon Moor circular	5.5 miles	Baildon Walkers are Welcome

For more information about the groups involved see their websites or Facebook pages:

General information

Public transport

Due to the remoteness of some of the walk starting points, not all walks are convenient for public transport users. However, where time and location allow, our aim is to make as many walks as possible accessible by public transport. Contact MetroLine on 0113 245 7676 or visit www.wymetro.com for full and up to date travel information.

Be prepared for the weather

Walking boots or stout shoes are recommended on all walks, wellington boots are suitable for shorter walks. Waterproofs, extra sweater, hat and gloves are best carried in a small back-pack in preference to a hand held bag.

Dogs

Dogs are not allowed on any of our walks with the exception of guide dogs.

Walkers ability

Due to the very nature of the countryside, walkers may from time to time experience difficulties, whether it be a difficult stile, slippy steps, mud etc.

Food and drink

It is advisable to bring food and drinks on all our walks and activities. The amount of food you bring is of course up to the individual. However, we do recommend that for walks starting before lunchtime you bring a packed lunch.

First aid

Please note that our walk leaders are unable to provide first aid assistance or equipment on our walks. Walkers are asked to have contact details in the front pocket of a rucksack for someone who can be reached in an emergency.

Customer care

On all Bradford’s Countryside and Rights of Way Service Walks the leader will be assisted by a second volunteer whose job it is to look after the tail end of the party. If you are experiencing any difficulties during the walk please let the back-up volunteer know so that any necessary action can be taken. It is also important to let the back-up know if you are leaving the walk.

The Countryside Code

Respect Other People

Please respect the local community and other people using the outdoors. Remember your actions can affect people’s lives and livelihoods.

Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors
Leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths unless wider access is available.

Protect the Natural Environment

We all have a responsibility to protect the countryside now and for future generations, so make sure you don’t harm animals, birds, plants or trees and try to leave no trace of your visit. When out with your dog make sure it is not a danger or nuisance to farm animals, horses, wildlife or other people.

Leave no trace of your visit - take your litter home
Keep dogs under effective control.

Enjoy the Outdoors

Even when going out locally, it’s best to get the latest information about where and when you can go. For example, your rights to go onto some areas of open access land and coastal land may be restricted in particular places at particular times. Find out as much as you can about where you are going, plan ahead and follow advice and local signs.

Plan ahead and be prepared
Follow advice and local signs.

For full details of the Countryside Code visit the Countryside Code page on the gov.uk website.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Service is constantly striving to improve its service to the community, to this end we need help from you the customer. If you have enjoyed your walk please tell your friends. If not, tell us.

Please send your comments to:

The Countryside and Rights of Way Service Manager
Countryside and Rights of Way Service
4th Floor Britannia House
Bradford
BD1 1HX