With thunderstorms forecast we set off early and reached the top of Simon's Seat in record time. The sheep seemed rather surprised to see us, but we had the bouldery summit all to ourselves and descended smugly past walkers labouring up in the morning's humid head. The River Wharfe was a picture as we watched the pied wagtails and dawdled back through the meadows and woods. And did it rain? Of course not, it stayed dry all day!
LOCATION: Seven miles east of Skipton
START: Bolton Abbey Riverside car park, toilets. Turn off B6160 by Cavendish Memorial (also free parking by Barden Bridge)
Grid ref: SE071539 Postcode: BD236EX
DISTANCE: 8 miles
GRADE: Moderate with a climb onto a high fell
TIME: 5 hours
MAP: Explorer OL - Yorkshire Dales South and West
NOTE: Sorry no dogs. Access Land can be closed for shooting between August & December (but not Sundays) notices at Access Point
REFRESHMENTS: Cavendish Pavilion & Howgill Lodge
EN ROUTE: Barden, Valley of Desolation, Dales Way, Strid, Truckle Crags
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News