Norland Moor and Ladstone Rock
West Yorkshire
Norland Moor is a 253 acre stretch of heather moorland and pockets of woodland on the ridge between the Calder and Ryburn valleys above Sowerby Bridge where dogs can run mostly off lead, managed as a local nature reserve. It rises to 284 metres at the trig point, and the moor carries standing stones, old ditches and banks, and disused quarry workings. The best known landmark is Ladstone Rock, a gritstone outcrop with a distinctive profile on the western edge, looking out over the Ryburn valley, the subject of local legends of druids and witches. This 5km loop from the car park on Shaw Lane at the Norland village end crosses the heather to Ladstone Rock and returns over the moor. The climbing is modest, on sandy and peaty moorland paths that can be wet in places, and the heather is at its best in late summer.
This is a dog friendly walk that local owners love, with open moor where a dog with good recall can run and plenty of other dogs on fine days. Sheep graze the fields around the edge of the moor, so keep dogs close where the paths meet the walls and lanes. Ground-nesting birds use the heather, so keep dogs on the paths and on a lead in spring and early summer. There is no shade on the tops and little water, so carry some. Cycling is not allowed on the moor, which keeps the paths quiet.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Heathland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- None on the moor; pubs in the surrounding villages and cafes in Sowerby Bridge.
- Parking
- Small car park on Shaw Lane at the north-east end of Norland Moor, near Norland village.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Norland Moor and Ladstone Rock, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Weavers Cottage - Slaithwaite
Sleeps 12 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,975 / 7 nights
Lower Mount Farm - On The Tops
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £669 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in West YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Norland Moor and Ladstone Rock dog friendly?
Norland Moor scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness, and it's a place that local dog owners genuinely love. The 253-acre heather moorland is managed as a local nature reserve, and the ban on cycling keeps the paths pleasantly quiet — great for dogs and owners alike.
Can dogs be off lead at Norland Moor and Ladstone Rock?
Dogs with good recall can run mostly off lead across the open moor, and on fine days you'll find plenty of other dogs doing exactly that. The exceptions are worth noting: keep dogs close to the walls and lanes where sheep graze the surrounding fields, and put them on a lead in spring and early summer when ground-nesting birds are using the heather.
What should I know before visiting Norland Moor and Ladstone Rock with my dog?
The moorland paths can be wet in places, and the 5km loop from the Shaw Lane car park involves modest climbing on sandy and peaty terrain. There's no shade on the tops and little water available, so bring your own for your dog. There are no facilities on the moor itself, but you'll find pubs in the surrounding villages and cafes in nearby Sowerby Bridge.
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