The badger Stone on Ilkley Moor

The Badger Stone, Ilkley Moor

See that picture?

That is the Badger Stone. A remarkable cup and ring marked rock on Ilkley Moor.

Geology up your street? Then THIS is the walk for you! Actually….. HISTORY and Geology, and perhaps a little bit of mystery…

That’s what this walk is all about!

The rock you’re looking at, was carved THOUSANDS of years ago…. so you need to see it.

What is the Badger Stone?

It is one of the hundreds of cup and ring marked rocks that you’ll find strewn all over Ilkley Moor. But don’t overlook this one, because other than the Swastika Stone (nope. Nothing to do with the modern day usage of the word) this Neolithic mystery is one of the BEST examples on’t moor.

These rocks were carved thousands of years ago and we don’t know why. We probably never will. But whether they be part of an ancient ritual, or even just a piece of reyt old grafitti, these rocks are a modern day insight into pre-history. And they aren’t shoved behind glass in a museum.

So let’s go find it!

tracing the rings on the Badger Stone in snow

Walk details for the Badger Stone

Distance: 2 miles

Terrain: Uneven underfoot, often very muddy after wet weather. Ascent is approximately 170m.

Parking: Some on street parking on Keighley Road (🛑 this is a narrow road, which ends in a dead end. There are areas of parking dotted along - do not attempt to use it in icy conditions as it is steep). Alternative parking is at Darwin Gardens on Wells Road 500m down the road from the suggested starting point.

Nearest Public Transport: Ilkley Train Station and there are several bus stops in the town centre. It is a 1-2 mile walk to the start point from there though.

Dog Friendly: Yes

Location: Ilkley Moor

Map: OS Explorer 297 Lower Wharfedale and Washburn Valley.

What 3 Words: Badger Stone: Approx. tutorial.zapped.idealist Start Point crescendo.maternal.ignoring

Toilets/ Baby Change: No

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Ilkley Town Centre

Walking down to the bridge over spicey gill

Directions to the Badger Stone

  1. Starting from Keighley Road, you need to follow the road upwards until it turns to a rough track. Ignore the footpath sign to the left, as the main track is far easier to navigate.

  2. Continue along the track upwards. After around 150m it will bend round to the left, and after another 300m, you will soon see a footpath sign pointing leftwards, this is the one you need to take.

  3. The path will cross several streams at Grainings Head, which are the tributaries to Spicey Gill and then it begins to bend left, heading towards Wicken Tree Crag. There is a path here that offshoots to the right and then right again. You will see a large stone, positioned near a bench. This is the Badger Stone. Take a good long look at the stone carvings!

  4. To return, double back on yourself and head straight on towards Wicken Tree Crag, keeping the water of Spicey Gill on your left. Follow the path downwards. This is another part of Ilkley Moor where there are paths aplenty! So keep the Gill to your left, and keep heading downwards. As you descend, you will notice a small cluster of pine trees. These don’t feature on the map, so we always say they are magical! Whilst they may not technically BE magical, they are a great spot for pine cone collecting!

  5. Continue a little further downwards after you’ve been collecting, until a path appears sharply to the left. Once you turn down it, you will be facing in the direction of Spicey Gill. Walk straight on, ignore any intersecting paths, until you get to the Gill and to a wooden bridge over it. Cross this, head up the bank and back up onto Keighley Road where you began.

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

Looking down into one of the old quarries

What’s cool for kids on this walk?

✨ The Badger Stone, is one of the finest examples of the hundreds of prehistoric carved rocks on Rombalds Moor (which includes Ilkley Moor). It has around 100 separate markings, which vary in visibility, dependant on the sunlight and conditions. I can personally vouch for them not being clearly visible in all conditions, because the first time we went on a grey winter’s day, I thought it was just a bog standard rock! We later walked to it in the snow, and the settled snow had brought out the patterns, then AGAIN in the late Summer, in the early morning and it was perfect! (LOVE this rock, can you tell?!)

🏬 Ilkley town centre is around a 1.5km walk, where you can find loads of fabulous independent cafes, shops, pubs and restaurants.

🌳 Need to kick the walking whinges out the door? Then why not try one of our walking games? Or you can download a free scavenger sheet!

White Wells Spa in Ilkley

Want to find more Ilkley Walks?

All of our family friendly walks are arranged in loads of different categories including, waterfall walks, short walks and walks with play parks. So you can find exactly the kind of walk you are looking for!

But if you want to find all the kid friendly Ilkley walks in one place?

Then why not head to our Ilkley Walks section!

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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