Baildon Hill

Approaching Baildon Hill

Location: SE 141 401

Getting there: Parking in car parks to north and east of summit, or approach from nearby Saltaire or Baildon.

Height (at highest point (unmarked)): 281m

Prominence: 68m

Map: OS Explorer 297 Lower Wharfedale & Washburn Valley

Sitting proudly above the village from which it derives its name, Baildon Hill is a very reachable, yet still spectacular viewpoint over Leeds, Bradford and the Aire Gap, with extensive views across the Vale of York and down as far as Holme Moss on a clear day.

Baildon Hill was extensively mined since at least the 14th century, and well into the 19th, with coal from the hill supplying the local industries. Scars from the extraction industry can still be seen, in the form of depressions, spoil heaps and coal strewn across the hill. Sandstone was also extensively quarried.

These days, activities are more catered towards visitors, with two large caravan parks lining the slopes, and a golf course on the Open Access land to the north and east of the summit.

To the north and east also lie the locations of two demolished villages, Moorside and Low Hill. A few building remain in each, but the majority were cleared in the 1960s due to inadequate water supplies (despite the fact the water from the nearby well is remarkably pure).

The hill contains not one but two trig points - both very easily accessible from the road. The summit trig point steals the best views, but the second trig point to the east of the hill does present a fantastic view of the Aire Valley as it snakes its way towards Leeds.

Looking over the Aire Valley from Baildon Hill

Although the summit is reachable via a 10 minute walk from the car park to the north, I would recommend a longer route from nearby Saltaire, taking a walk through the pleasant and surprisingly craggy Shipley Glen, before approaching the summit from the west, then returning via the path along the Glen Railway.

For a longer walk, Baildon Hill could be combined with a trip onto Ilkley Moor to the north, or for a mega challenge, you can try my West Leeds Four Peaks walk, with Baildon Hill, Rombalds Moor, The Chevin and The Billing.

Viewing the sunrise from Baildon Hill