Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor Circular
West Yorkshire
Shipley Glen is a steep wooded valley above Saltaire where dogs can range off lead away from the unfenced moorland roads higher up, lined with gritstone boulders along its rim, that became a Victorian pleasure ground. The Shipley Glen Tramway, built in 1895, still hauls passengers up through the trees and is described as Britain's oldest working cable-hauled tramway. This 7.1km circuit starts on Glen Road by Bracken Hall Countryside Centre, a small museum on the edge of the Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve, and follows the rocky edge of the glen before climbing onto Baildon Moor. The moor is common land with heather, bracken and old mine workings, and its summit trig point at 282 metres looks out over Bradford, Leeds and the Aire valley. There is a moderate amount of climbing on moorland paths, woodland tracks and some quiet roads, with short steep pitches and mud after rain.
This is a dog friendly walk that is hugely popular with local dog owners, and the glen woodland gives shade and interest. Baildon Moor is grazed and has ground-nesting birds, so dogs must be on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July, and on a lead near livestock at any time. Parts of the route run on or beside unfenced roads across the moor, so keep dogs close there. There is little water on the tops. The Old Glen House pub on Prod Lane is listed as dog friendly, and Bracken Hall has toilets when open.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.1 km (4.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 15 min
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Bracken Hall Countryside Centre (museum, toilets when open); The Old Glen House pub on Prod Lane, listed as dog friendly.
- Parking
- Parking areas on Glen Road by Bracken Hall Countryside Centre; a car park on Glovershaw Lane serves Baildon Moor.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in West YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor Circular dog friendly?
Yes, this is a popular walk with local dog owners and earns a 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. The glen woodland offers shade and plenty of interest for dogs, and The Old Glen House pub on Prod Lane is listed as dog friendly if you fancy a stop along the way.
Can dogs be off lead at Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor Circular?
Dogs can range off lead in the glen woodland, which is one of the highlights of the route. On Baildon Moor, however, dogs must be kept on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July due to ground-nesting birds, and on a lead near livestock at any time of year — the moor is grazed common land, so it's worth being prepared for that year-round.
What should I know before visiting Shipley Glen and Baildon Moor Circular with my dog?
Parts of the route run on or beside unfenced roads across Baildon Moor, so keep your dog close in those sections. There's little water available on the higher ground, so bring enough for both of you, especially in warmer weather. The paths can get muddy after rain, and there are some short steep pitches, so it's worth wearing appropriate footwear.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Walk0.8 mi awayLeeds and Liverpool Canal: Saltaire to Bingley Five Rise Locks
West Yorkshire
A level towpath walk on a lead for dogs, from Saltaire's World Heritage mill village to the famous staircase locks at Bingley.
Walk2.5 mi awayBingley St Ives Estate Circular
West Yorkshire
Dogs get free rein across most of Bingley's 550 acre St Ives Estate, before a steep climb to the Druids Altar viewpoint over Airedale.
Walk3.3 mi awayEsholt Woods Circular Walk
West Yorkshire
A short loop through the ancient woodland of Esholt Woods and the village of Esholt, Emmerdale's original filming location, with a dog-friendly pub at the finish.
Walk4.8 mi awayCow and Calf and the Twelve Apostles on Ilkley Moor
West Yorkshire
Wide heather moorland for dogs to explore on a lead, and the Cow and Calf rocks and Twelve Apostles stone circle for their owners.
Walk5.5 mi awayOtley Chevin and Surprise View
West Yorkshire
Dogs can run off lead through most of the woodland below the Chevin ridge, before Surprise View's panorama over Wharfedale rewards the climb.
Walk6.4 mi awayOgden Water and Ovenden Moor Circular
West Yorkshire
This lead-only reservoir walk near Halifax still gives dogs shady woodland and a climb onto Ovenden Moor, with wide Pennine views for you.