There’s always a local unexplored place to visit in your campervan. For me this happened to be somewhere less than 4 miles from my home, perfect for a week night get away. 8 miles south of Skipton on the southern side of the Yorkshire Dales sits Yorkshire’s largest boulder! Weighing over 1000 tonnes, stretching 9 metres long by 7.5 metres wide and towering 6.5 metres high, it’s as big as a house and isolated on the peak of a moor covered hill.
Apart from being the biggest boulder in Yorkshire and acting as a boundary marker for Yorkshire and Lancashire. Legend says that a witch from Ilkley moor was annoyed at having the boulder ruining her view that she stuck the handle of her broomstick in the rock and through it across the valley! In reality the rock probably originally came from nearby Earl Crag and was likely scooped up by a retreating glacier landing at it’s current location.
How do I get to Hitching Stone?
There’s a parking spot at Buck Stone Lane and it’s a 0.2 mile walk to the Hitching Stone. However, don’t be deceived by Google the walk takes a lot longer then 4 minutes as the route is very boggy!
Where can I park / wild camp at the Hitching Stone?
Parking is available at the above spot at Buck Stone Lane. It’s a secluded spot and wild camping is tolerated.
I visited the Hitching Stone in August and the ground was VERY boggy, I would definitely recommend wellies! I survived the walk and returned with two shoes (but only just), they were both nearly swallowed by one of the larger swamps! I recommend keeping to the wall, with occasional deviations to avoid the deeper swamp areas. Midges can also be an issue in summer so don’t forget your repellant. Don’t let the swamps and midges put you off, it’s definitely worth the walk.
The stone is clearly visible from the parking area.
Haworth (Bronte country) lies 6 miles to the south west of this location and is a great place to explore and camp. Visit my blog about wild camping spots in Haworth.
Enjoy!
