We’re off to a rarely visited Southern part of the Yorkshire Dales, there’s plenty of climbing and stunning walks all around… Staying at the Clarion Lodge Campsite - £21 for the weekend.
https://www.clarionlodgecampsite.co.uk/places-to-visit
For Walkers:
- Plenty of moorland to explore as well as stunning views from the tops in the area, beautiful lush valleys and rivers, you can make the most of the wonderful weather we’re laying on for the weekend.
- Ilkley Moor is right on the doorstep – Couldn’t wish for a better spot to ramble around, which I believe is what all the strange words on the meets page are singing about.. Well if it’s worth a song!
- Twelve Apostles - Ilkley Moor offers many routes including the fascinating prehistory trail, roughly four miles taking in ancient cup marks and the Twelve Apostles Neolithic stone circle.
- There are a number of locally published walks which start and finish in Otley which is right next door. These include Otley Four Walks (3-6 miles); Otley Four More Walks (6-9 miles); The Six Dales Trail – a 38 mile route from Otley to Middleham in Wensleydale – and the 28-mile Welcome Way which takes in Otley, Burley in Wharfedale, Baildon and Bingley. Maps can be bought in local shops.
- Howgill Kettlewell, Malham Cove and even the 3 peaks, all within reach if hopping in the car for a leisurely drive out to your favourite spot in Yorkshire…
- Driving up into the dales there’s reservoirs abound for a scenic wander (looping in a few) and maybe a spot of wild swimming too, the nearby Thrusscross reservoir has a beautiful bit of ancient woodland to explore if you’re up walking / swimming that way.
For Climbers, you’ll know this area is home to three of Yorkshire’s best and best known gritstone crags: Almscliff, Caley and Ilkley.
- With quality routes across the grade range, Almscliff - between Otley and Harrogate - has something for everyone. Many of the routes at ‘The Cliff’ have a reputation for being stiff for the grade, with jamming skills and arm strength often being put to the test, but there is a less-thuggish climbing on offer too. The crag is also a premier bouldering venue with many steep and powerful problems. Almscliff is also a surprisingly good venue for the less serious climber with some fantastic lower grade routes. There’s little tunnels around the crag for the kid inside that wants to explore them..
- Caley, just outside Otley, is one of the most accessible crags in the county but is not spoiled by this. The boulders cover a large area and most feel a lot further than their few minutes from the road. A lot of the problems are on technical slabs and walls but there are also steeper problems for those that prefer. Although known primarily as a bouldering venue, Caley has some very good routes on its main crag and larger boulders. The best ones start at about VS here.
- Further west, Ilkley is one of Yorkshire most famous crags. The Cow and Calf rocks are well known. The quarry behind them has quality routes in the Severe – E1 range while there is more bouldering up the hill behind these areas. Further on, away from the crowds, is the Rocky Valley; a range of buttresses spread out on the hillside, each worth a visit.
Other activities
- Rent a boat or a pedalo and head out on to the River Wharfe
- Chevin Forest Park consists of over 445 acres of criss-cross paths through beautiful woodlands, brimming with heritage and geological treasure to marvel at
- Cycle the Tour de France and Tour de Yorkshire routes
- Get started on the Dales Way – or the Dales High way and you could make a whole week of it
Covid-19 Requirement:
Rockhoppers Mountaineering Club will collect and names & telephone numbers and transfer to the campsite. Details will be held by the campsite for 21 days.