Crag features

Ilkley has been a popular destination for generations of climbers. Sitting proudly above the town of the same name, the crag almost seems to have adopted the character of a dour Yorkshire man - the Quarry can be dark, cold and oppressive, especially in high winds; the Cow and Calf are sturdy and uncompromising. As with Yorkshire men, be patient and tackle them on your terms and you could well be rewarded.

The most famous routes are on the Cow with Milky Way and The New Statesman being great testpieces of their eras. The Cow's smaller sidekick has some popular bouldering and micro-routes. Probably the least attractive of Ilkley's venues is the Quarry which manages to feel cold and desolate even on summer days. Bits of the Quarry have collapsed over the years and the council's removal of the rock above Wellington Crack has added to the general air of neglect. Despite this, there are some excellent climbs and a day spent here should be rewarded with a healthy set of ticks.

The crag faces northeast and doesn't get a great deal of sun, though the right-hand side wall of the quarry is the exception to this, hence its popularity.

Bouldering

CD = Cameron Duff

TC = Total Climbing