ilkley's rural surroundings attract walkers and cyclists to the area. the landmark cow and calf rocks, which overlook the town on ilkley moor, consist of a large outcrop, which allegedly imitates a cow, and a boulder, which imitates a calf. the site is also visited for its rock climbing routes. the old bridge just outside the town centre is the official start to the dales way, an walk through the dales to bowness-on-windermere in the lake district.