Ooold Road - Ooooolder Stones
The cache, a 35mm film canister, is hidden at the side of this old track over the moor and close to a much older carved rock - one of many on the moor (see map in Gallery). From the parking spot and cache location is a one of the best panoramic views of Wharfedale.
To reach the cache: take Keighley Rd from its starting point on Wells Rd @ N 53 55.133 W 1 49.760 and follow it as it twists up to the end of the tarred stretch @ N 53 54.929 W 1 50.266 where there is parking for 6-8 cars. From here simply walk a short distance up the track.
The 5km Keighley Road/Ilkley Road crosses over the top of the moor from west of White Wells on the Ilkley side to Silsden Rd which runs across the southern slopes of Rombalds Moor connecting Silsden to East Morton. On the Ilkley side it is tarred (although it doesn't appear to be well-maintained and is uneven/potholed in places - but still easily passable) from its start up to the parking area from where it becomes a rough gravel track and only suitable for 4WD vehicles. The whole of the Keighley side is tarred - and has been recently resurfaced and in excellent condition.
It is a prehistoric pathway passing north-south over the moors. It is thought to be a part of the 41-mile Roman Roan RR 720a which connected Olicana (Ilkley) with Mancuniun (Manchester) - see here . . . 'it is likely that it went by East Riddlesden and West Morton on a course about ½ mile east of the present lane over the moor towards Ilkley, then joining this at Whetstone Gate on the summit of the Moor and descending more or less on the course of the present road into Ilkley'.
As it rises up the northern side, where it is also called Weary Hill, it passes numerous footpaths accessing the Addingham Edge (to the west) and Barmishaw/Willy's Spout/White Wells area (to the east) which are especially popular with hikers and dog-walkers. On its east side it is flanked by Spicey Gill.
From the parking spot adjacent to the access road to the 200 year old former ranger's house Silver Well Cottage, it climbs steadily upwards passing disused quarries to the east and Hollins Hall Peat Pits (disused to the west).
It continues upwards passing more disused quarries to the west, a mysterious crop circle @ N 53 54.499 W 1 50.806 (see video here) and the ancient Cowper's Cross @ N 53 54.395 W 1 50.753 (see here) before arriving at the gate, summit of the road and car park at Whetstone Gate (approx 381m) close to the Wireless Station with its communication masts. The trig point marking the summit of Rombalds Moor is 1.3km to the east along a trail paved with rock slabs.
From here, the lovely newly resurfaced tar road descends through Bradup hamlet and down to the Silsden Road @ N 53 53.103 W 1 52.086.
See here for a video of a vehicular descent of the Ilkley side, passing GZ at 2:58, and the parking spot at 3:16, and here here for a north-south traverse by motorbike passing the parking spot at 0:52 and GZ at 1:06. See here for a series of photos of a walk from Keighley to Ilkley along this road with Silsden Rd junction at 6:05 and Whetstone Gat at 6:59.
A short distance south-west of GZ (at a location still to be confirmed as different coordinates are given on different websites - watch this space!) is the Spicey Gill Stone, an ancient designated monument listed as follows '. . . includes a carved gritstone rock, 0.85m x 0.73m x 0.38m. It is situated on gently sloping land between Spicey Gill and the Ilkley-Keighley road, just below a small covered reservoir. The carving consists of ten cups, three with single rings, with grooves running down from them . . . it includes a 2m boundary around the archaeological features, considered to be essential for the monument's support and preservation.
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance.
Also in the area are:
a) the Weary Hill Stone 100m north-east @ N 53 54.920 W 1 50.393. To access the stone, take the trail heading SW from near the parking spot @ N 53 54.926 W 1 50.279 then head directly to the stone from the nearest convenient point along the trail. Also, a little further beyond . . .
b) the Silver Well Stone 250m east-north-east from GZ @ N 53 54.947 W 1 50.520. To access this stone, take the jeep track heading west from near the parking towards Silver Well cottage, then just before the gate, take the trail heading up towards the stone.