The Bolton Abbey Estate

All the walks and trails that you can find on the Bolton Abbey Estate

Have you been to the Bolton Abbey Estate?

Bolton Abbey is an absolute gem of the Yorkshire Dales and is a fantastic day out for all the family!

Originally built back in the 12th Century as an Augustinian Monastery, the ruins that stand today are as a result of the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 by Henry VIII, when the Priory was stripped of its assets.

With the epic Priory ruins looming grandly above the River Wharfe, the Estate stretches for miles, including the ruins of the 17th Century Hunting Lodge, Barden Tower, the infamous Strid, which makes the River Wharfe one of the most deadly in the country, epic waterfalls and so much more!

Below, you will find some of Bolton Abbey’s walking trails, but make sure you also check out the website for more information about their events, Easter, Halloween and Christmas Trails and the Welly Walk.

The Estate has a parking charge of £12.50 per car to park on the Estate. If you don’t pre-book the parking, then the fee increases to £15.

Playing in the water in front of the Priory Ruins

Walk Difficulty Ratings

All of our tried and tested kid friendly walks have been divided into 3 categories dependant on difficulty, length and terrain:

⭐ Little Monkeys:

Walks suitable for younger children. Shorter length walks with occasional pushchair access.

⭐⭐ Little Adventurers:

Walks suitable for pre-schoolers. Medium length/ difficulty walks.

⭐⭐⭐ Superstar Hikers:

Walks suitable for older children. Longer length walks with some difficult terrain.

Walking along Posforth Gill on the Bolton Abbey Estate

Walks at a Glimpse

Here is our quick look key so you can identify what each walk has without taking too long!

👶 Suitable for Pushchairs

🎒 Suitable for Carriers

🚘 Car Park/ On Street Parking

🚌 Public Transport Links

🐶 Dog Friendly

🥾 Sturdy Footwear or Wellies

🧒 A park or play area

🦆 Ducks to Feed

💦 Water play/ paddle/ swim

✨ Cool history or geology

👻 Legendary Story

🌳 Walking Games

Bolton Abbey Priory Ruins

⭐⭐ Little Adventurers

📍 Wharfedale, The Yorkshire Dales National Park (SE)

📏

🎒🚘🥾💦✨👻🐶🚌🌳

This is THE classic walk on the Bolton Abbey Estate. The Priory ruins are a great place to explore and even better, during the warmer months, this walk is home to the Welly Walk!

The Strid on the Bolton Abbey Estate

Bolton Abbey, The Strid

⭐ Little Monkeys/ Little Adventurers

📍 Wharfedale, The Yorkshire Dales National Park (SE)

📏

👶/🎒🥾🦆🚘💦✨👻🐶🚌🌳

Often the home of the seasonal trails of Bolton Abbey, the walk to the Strid from the Cavendish is pushchair friendly (if you take the lower route). This walk can also be done as a circular (not pushchair friendly). The Strid is a raging torrent of water coursing through the middle of Strid Wood! A sight to behold, particularly after heavy rain!

The Bolton Abbey Aqueduct

Bolton Abbey, The Aqueduct

⭐⭐ Little Adventurers

📍 Wharfedale, The Yorkshire Dales National Park (SE)

📏

🎒🥾🦆🚘💦✨🐶🚌🌳

Did you know that the Bolton Abbey Aqueduct is not only a footbridge over the River Wharfe but in fact carries actual drinking water to the people of West Yorkshire? True Story. This walk will take you to it!

The Barden Tower ruins on the Bolton Abbey Estate

Bolton Abbey, Barden Tower

⭐⭐⭐ Superstar Hikers

📍 Wharfedale, The Yorkshire Dales National Park (SE)

📏

🎒🥾🦆🚘💦✨👻🐶🚌🌳

This Bolton Abbey wander will take you to the end of the Bolton Abbey Estate and to the often overlooked Grade I listed hunting lodge, Barden Tower. The ruins are open to look around, so why not check it out?!

The waterfall of the Valley of Desolation

The Bolton Abbey Waterfalls

⭐⭐ Little Adventurers

📍 Wharfedale, The Yorkshire Dales National Park (SE)

📏

🎒🥾🦆🚘💦✨🚌🌳

The Bolton Abbey Estate is always full of surprises and this walk is no exception! If you love waterfalls, then this is the one for you!

The top of Simon's Seat

Simon’s Seat

⭐⭐⭐ Superstar Hikers

📍 Wharfedale, The Yorkshire Dales National Park (SE)

📏

🎒🥾🦆🚘💦🚌🌳

This walk is for the peak baggers out there but at 9 miles, it is not a walk for the faint hearted! So stock up on the snacks and enjoy!

The view from the top of Storiths Crag

Storiths Crag

⭐ Little Monkeys

📍 Wharfedale, The Yorkshire Dales National Park (SE)

📏

🎒🥾🚘💦✨👻🐶🚌🌳

If you want to take a little detour off the beaten track and head away from the crowds of Bolton Abbey for a bit then why not try this short wander up to Storiths Crag?

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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