Start/Finish: Any one of several car parks in Otley town centre
Terrain: Mainly street walking with some good footpaths, muddy in places
Distance: 5 miles
Height: Approx 200m climb (highest point on route 280m)
This walk starts in the centre of Otley and heads out of town to climb The Chevin, a hill to the south of the town which dominates the area. From the top there are good views on a clear day from Skipton in the west to York in the east.
Head for All Saints church at the bottom of Station Road, then follow the road to its end, crossing the footbridge over the main A660 Ilkley-Leeds road. Once over the bridge, the path leads up to a minor road called Birdcage Walk, and immediately opposite is a footpath signposted York Gate. York Gate is the name of a roman road which runs right over the top of the Chevin.
Immediately the path starts to climb through woods, and the slope is unrelenting for the next 3/4km. In several stretches steps have been cut out to aid walkers, but an escalator would have been a better option. Don't despair though, the views from the top are worth the effort.
Eventually the path reaches a broader path running east-west, but we must continue up a grassy slope towards the top, which is now in sight. There are several options to the top, some contouring the slope which makes the ascent easier. The top contains a surprise, hidden from view all the way up is a car park, ice cream van (if you're lucky), and a pub (even better). This is the top of The Chevin, which apparently means 'high ridge', and is the same derivation as The Cheviot in Northumberland. From here, the view stretches from Skipton in the west to York Minster in the east.
Leave the car park and follow the main road westward, keepiong an eye out for the low flying aircraft bringing holidaymakers back to Leeds/Bradford airport, just a couple of miles or so across the fields. The road is an old roman road called York Gate, linking York with Ilkley. Go past a quarry and then Woodlands Farm before turning right down a footpath through a field and then back into the woods. The woods are a haven for wildlife such as deer and squirrels, although all were in hiding when we were there.
The path descends steeply down to West Chevin Road and back into town. Cross the bridge over the main road, then turn right down Burras Lane back to the church and the town centre. Returning back to here is about a 3 mile walk.
To extend the walk, walk past the clock tower and across the main road, where a statue to honour Thomas Chippendale, the famous furniture maker, can be seen. Chippendale was a famous son of the town and the blue plaque on the house behind the statue confirms this.The road continues down to the River Wharfe, where there are several riverside paths to choose from and plenty of benches to rest weary limbs. The return, when you're ready for it, is simply back to the town centre by the same route.
