12.0 miles.

Outdoor Leisure Map No OL2 - Yorkshire Dales, Southern & Western Areas

This walk takes in some classic Dales scenery, with views that combine a tranquil River Wharfe with the raging torrent where the Wharfe flows through the narrow gap of the Strid.
Part of the walk is in well managed woodland of the Bolton Abbey estate, and part also in the meadows.
Although the described walk is fairly long (12 miles) it is all on easy ground and is simple to navigate.

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 availabe 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!!

Start from Bolton Abbey car park (fee payable) at SE07098 53889. There is a shop and toilets by the car park.
Exit the car park and head Northwards along the road, past the "Hole in the Wall". Turn down the road that leads to the Priory Church, and continue past the Church to the Cavendish Memorial.
Here take the footpath down to the River Wharfe, and continue beside the river to the wooden footbridge over the river at the Cavendish Pavilion.
Do not cross the bridge, but continue Northwards on well marked and well maintained tracks. Stop off the visit the Strid, but continue until you come to the pedestrian bridge at SE057 567. This is a substantial stone bridge.
You may either cross the bridge and continue to Barden Bridge over meadowland, or remasin on the West bank of the Wharfe and take the riverside footpath to Barden Bridge.
At Barden Bridge, take the footpath Northwards on the East bank of the River Wharfe until you come to the road by a holiday caravan and a farm.
Here take the footpath on your left that continues beside the River Wharfe.
Almost due South of Appletreewick there is a farm track which takes you to the village. However, at the Northern end of this track the gate is padlocked shut and you will ahve to climb over the adjacent gap in the wall. A notice on the Appletreewick side of the gate says that there is no right of way through the gate, but we were advised by some passing walkers that this track is well used by walkers. If you don't use the track, the alternative route into Appletreewick involves a detour of about 3/4 mile.
Head East along the road through Appletreewick along Hazler Lane.
At Howarth Farm take the track that leads to the caravan park. Just past the caravan park is a gate that opens on to a field footpath that returns you to the road on Stangs Lane.
Here retrace your steps Southwards to Barden Bridge.
Keep on the Western bank of the River Wharfe once you reach the stone pedestrian bridge.
The footpath now takes you through woodland that runs above the River Wharfe, giving you views down to the Strid.
Continue until you reach the Cavendish Pavilion.
Do not cross the Wharfe, but continue until you come to the footbridge and stepping stones opposite the Priory Church.
From here take the footpath to return to the car park at Bolton Abbey.