Bramhope - Burley Moor Circuit

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 31.5km circuit is a masterclass in Yorkshire trail running, offering a rigorous "SL" course that balances 25km of paved connecting lanes with rugged, technical stretches across the gritstone edges. Starting from Bramhope, you'll tackle a significant 584m of ascent as you climb through the ancient woodland of Otley Chevin Country Park before striking out toward the expansive heights of Burley Moor. Runners should prepare for a true mixed-terrain experience; while the paved sections allow for a steady rhythm, the moorland portions demand agility to navigate rocky outcrops and soft, boggy patches. It is a challenging, hilly loop that rewards the endurance athlete with panoramic views of the Wharfe Valley and the satisfying burn of a long-distance fell-style adventure.

Steeped in West Yorkshire heritage, this route traverses landscape that has inspired artists and hikers for centuries. Running through Otley Chevin, you are passing over ground where Victorian era "pleasure grounds" once sat, now reclaimed by managed forest and dramatic crags. As you transition onto Burley Moor, part of the larger Rombalds Moor, you're entering an area rich with prehistoric cup-and-ring marked stones and ancient trackways. This region is the heart of the "Dales-fringe" landscape, where the industrial history of the valley towns below meets the wild, untamed spirit of the uplands. Whether you're passing through the market charm of Otley or the quiet lanes of Menston, you’ll feel the deep connection between the local communities and the rugged hills that define them.