The Chevin

Rising above Otley like a watchful parent, The Chevin offers views that far exceed its modest height. It’s where Leeds' urban sprawl hits a gritstone wall. Perfect for those who want a 'mountain' experience but need to be back for a flat white in Guiseley within the hour.

• •The gritstone ridge was formed during the Carboniferous period around 315 million years ago. It has been a site of human activity since the Paleolithic era, with several Bronze Age carvings still hidden among the ferns.
• •J.M.W. Turner used the dramatic backdrop of the Chevin and its stormy skies as inspiration for his famous painting 'Snow Storm: Hannibal and his Army Crossing the Alps.' It turns out the Alps are surprisingly similar to West Yorkshire when you’re squinting through the rain.
• •The name 'Chevin' likely comes from the Brythonic word 'cefn,' meaning 'ridge.' While it sounds exotic, it’s basically just the ancient way of saying 'that big long bit of high ground over there.'
• •Parts of the Roman road from York to Ilkley once crossed this ridge. Legionaries would have marched along these heights, probably complaining about the same steep gradients and wind that modern weekend walkers do today.
• •Despite the 'Surprise View' name, the only real surprise for many hikers is the sheer number of ice cream vans waiting at the top. It’s a bitter blow to realize you’ve sweated up a hill just to be overtaken by a transit van playing 'Greensleeves.'