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Barden Bridge & the Strid from Bolton Abbey

Yorkshire Dales Walk

Nat Park - Yorkshire Dales - Lower Wharfedale

County/Area - North Yorkshire

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 4.0 miles / 6.5 km    Ascent - 100 feet / 30 metres

Time - 2 hours 10 minutes    Grade - easy

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Ordnance Survey Explorer OL2Sheet Map1:25kBUY
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Anquet OS Landranger 104Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Barden Bridge & the Strid from Bolton Abbey
Click image to visit gallery of 6 images.

Using a section of the Dales Way alongside the River Wharfe this Yorkshire Dales walk offers a good introduction to the delights of the area around Bolton Abbey. Following the river it is an easy route best completed in late Spring or Autumn. Despite using well-maintained paths, the walk through the grounds of the Estate is recommended. The start, reached by a drive off the B6160, is the car park adjacent to the Cavendish Pavillion (Grid ref. SE 077551). There is a charge and once you have paid you can use other car parks within the Bolton Abbey Estate.

From the car park walk north alongside the River Wharfe to reach a wooden bridge (marked as such on the OS 1:25000 map). Cross the bridge and turn left along the clear footpath along the river bank heading north (upstream). After a short way the path enters deciduous woodland, which forms part of the Bolton Abbey Estate. Well managed, it is a delight to walk through and forms a protected zone for many species of flora and fauna.

About half way to Barden Bridge the Wharfe has to pass through a six foot wide cleft through rock. This is the Strid. Even during periods of low water flow it is an impressive sight and after heavy rain care needs to be taken in case of rapid changes in water level. Continuing through the wood you reach a substantial arched stone bridge and join the Dales Way. The path now crosses broad pastures with views ahead to typical Yorkshire Dales scenery.

Barden Bridge is the next landmark where the path leads up to a public road. Turn left and cross the bridge turning left again to follow the Wharfe downstream. Retracing your steps, but on the other bank, you soon reach the arched bridge and enter the woods. On some sections there is a choice of path with side paths either leading down to the river bank or rising gently into the woods. Passing the Strid you have just over a mile to walk to the Cavendish Pavillion (refreshments and toilets) and the start. If you have a surplus of energy then you can extend the walk south to visit the remains of Bolton Priory. This extension adds just under two miles to the route.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2574 Valley of Desolation & Barden Fellmoderate11.0 miles
Walk 1946 Valley of Desolation & Simon's Seatmoderate8.4 miles
Walk 1905 Beamsley Beacon and Bolton Abbeymoderate10.0 miles
Walk 2942 Below Silsden Mooreasy/mod6.8 miles
Walk 1280 Trollers Gillmoderate9.0 miles
Walk 2000 Wharfedale Circularmoderate13.5 miles
Walk 1574 Thruscross Reservoireasy4.5 miles
Walk 2319 Ilkley to Bingleyeasy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 1576 Embsay Reservoireasy1.0 miles
Walk 1573 Grimwith Reservoireasy4.5 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: South and West

Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: South and WestPart of a two-book set, this guidebook describes 44 walks in the southern and western Yorkshire Dales, including the famous 23 mile Three Peaks circuit over Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. The other, mostly circular routes of 3½ to 13 miles cover the scenic region between Sedbergh, Kirkby Lonsdale, Settle, Skipton and Grassington.
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The Dales Way

The Dales WayAn essential guidebook to walking the Dales Way. This picturesque 78 mile long distance route through the Yorkshire Dales between Ilkley and Bowness on Windermere is one of the gentlest multi-day walks in Britain. The route is described in both directions, visiting Grassington, Kettlewell, Buckden, Dent, Sedbergh and Staveley en route to Bowness.
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