The Grey Panthers
5 September, - Bolton Abbey & Simon's Seat
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10.0 miles

Explorer Map No 27, - Lower Wharfedale.

This is a classic walk, and deservedly so. The actual walk is quite straightforward, and although it involves the ascent of Barden Fell the tracks are good and well sign-posted.
Some of the footpath in the vicinity of the Truckle Crags and Simon's Seat is very uneven and some care is need, but otherwise there are no problems.
The view from Simon's Seat is truly spectacular, and for this reason the walk is best done on a fine day.
WARNING:
Grouse shooting take splace on Barden Moor and Barden Fell between August and December. On the dates when shooting takes place, access to the Fell and Moor is closed. You must check beforehand whether there are any closures.

Memory Map
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory Map)

Some new mapping software is now available which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers website, - just use QUO!!

Quo logo


Start from Bolton Abbey Car Park (SE0710053881). Note, - fee of £6.00p.
Take the footpath down to the River Wharfe and cross by the wooden bridge. Continue along the footpath on the East bank of the Wharfe to the Cavendish Bridge (SE0777255317). Continue along the footpath, following the finger posts to "The Valley of Desolation".
The footpath up the Valley of Desolation starts by a gate near the minor road at SE0756855733. The footpath follows a clear track to the Truckle Crags at SE077593. A slightly narrower path, - though clearly defined, takes you to Simon's Seat at SE078597.
Here, take time out to enjoy the view.
From Simon's Seat take the clear path towards the Lord's Seat rocks at SE0838659912.
From the Lord's Seat rocks take the footpath South East to the shooter's track at SE0887859416, and follow this South West to join the track South back to Bolton Abbey at SE0794958540.