Barden Bridge to Simons Seat

Starting point  and OS Grid reference: Barden Bridge (SE 053574) – Limited parking by bridge		Ordnance Survey Map OL2 Yorkshire Dales Southern and Western Areas. Buy this map from List of OS Maps Commission from map sales is used to fund the website, so keeping it free to use.
Distance: 8.5 miles	Date of Walk: N/K
Ascent: Descent: See Walking Time Calculator	482m (1580ft) 481m (1580ft)
Traffic light rating:    (For explanation see My Walks page)
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Introduction: This walk takes you through part of the Bolton Abbey Estate, to the great vantage point of Simon’s Seat with views over Upper Wharfedale and to the picturesque village of Appletreewick where two good pubs give an opportunity for refreshment before returning by a riverside footpath by the River Wharfe.

Start the walk at Barden Bridge (SE 053574). To get there, head for Bolton Abbey and from here head north on the B6160 and take the next sharp right turn signposted Appletreewick, just by Barden Tower. Parking is just over the bridge on the left and  is very limited so get here early especially at weekends. There is sometimes paid parking here on the Bolton Abbey Estate at peak times in summer.

Please note, there is no access for dogs on Barden Fell as a result of one of 52 bylaws which were introduced by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority when the 11^th Duke of Devonshire introduced open access on to Barden Fell in 1969.  The 52 byelaws were introduced in the main for conservation purposes.

Start: Walk through the gate next to the bridge (next to the Bolton Abbey Estate parking attendant’s booth). Follow the course of the river as far as the viaduct and turn left here (SE 057568).  The path climbs steadily to the road and continues beyond it. Stay on this path as far as the trees. It then turns right to follow the line of the wall around the trees.

Follow the wall until you reach a steeply descending broad track on the left (SE 069589). Ignore this track and continue to follow the line of the wall for about 400 yards. The path now veers right to Simons’s Seat and becomes flagged.

You reach the jumble of stones which is Simon’s Seat with its trig. point (485 metres) after about half a mile.

After stopping to admire the view, pass straight through the area of the stones in a north easterly direction and follow the zigzag path down to a stile near Dalehead Farm. Turn left along the farm track and watch out for a footpath on the right (signed) heading north to High Skyreholme. It emerges between buildings on to the metalled road. Turn left, past the entrance to Parcevall Hall and left at the next road junction.

At the next road junction, keep straight ahead to Appletreewick.

The route passes through the village and after passing the Craven Arms, take a footpath to the left alongside a campsite. This takes you to the River Wharfe and you follow its left bank all the way back to Barden Bridge.

If you need to buy any hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the Hiking Store

All information on this site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it.