![Rombalds Moor [Ilkley Moor]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Dales_Way_Link%2C_Rombalds_Moor_-_causeway_-_geograph.org.uk_-_4874562.jpg)
North Pennines
Rombalds Moor [Ilkley Moor]
403M
1321FT
About Rombalds Moor [Ilkley Moor]
Rising above the Wharfe Valley, this expansive gritstone plateau is steeped in Bronze Age mystery. While famous as Ilkley Moor, the true summit of Rombalds Moor offers a wilder, quieter perspective. Expect peaty tracks, weathered outcrops, and a Marilyn-class summit with views stretching toward Beamsley Beacon and the southern Dales.
Key Statistics
Rank
230th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Yorkshire Dales
Prominence
?
245.5m
Nearest Town
Ilkley
Geology
You are walking across layers of sandstone, siltstone, and mudstone. These sturdy rocks form the Millstone Grit and Woodhouse Flags that build this rugged moorland landscape.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SE114452
Latitude
53.9028°N
Longitude
1.8280°W
Did You Know?
- •The name Rombald is traditionally linked to a local legend of a giant who lived on the moor, though historians suggest it more likely derives from Romund, a Saxon landowner. While the public often calls the entire area Ilkley Moor, that name technically only refers to the portion owned by the local council.
- •The moor is an archaeological treasure trove, containing hundreds of prehistoric 'cup and ring' marks. These Neolithic and Bronze Age carvings, such as the famous Swastika Stone overlooking Woodhouse Crag, suggest the moor held significant spiritual importance for thousands of years.
- •The summit offers a clear line of sight across Mid-Wharfedale. To the north, the distinctive profiles of Beamsley Beacon and Simon’s Seat are prominent, while to the southeast, the urban silhouettes of Leeds and Bradford provide a stark contrast to the heather-clad plateau.
- •The gritstone edges of the moor, including the iconic Cow and Calf rocks, were shaped by glacial erosion. These outcrops are a pilgrimage site for climbers, who have recorded hundreds of routes on the hard, weather-beaten Millstone Grit.
- •The moor's status as a Marilyn means it has at least 150 metres of prominence. Despite its relatively low elevation, its isolation from the higher peaks of the central Dales makes it the dominant high point for miles in every direction.
- •While the famous folk song warns of catching your death of cold without a hat, a more immediate concern is the 'Ilkley Bog'. Even in a dry summer, the peaty depressions near the summit have a remarkable ability to swallow a walking pole or a poorly placed boot.