Simon’s Seat, Bolton Abbey

Directions to Simon’s Seat

1. Bolton Abbey Estate Walks have clear route descriptions on the Bolton Abbey Website. There are also downloadable maps available from there. This description supplements that. We always recommend that you take a map and GPS with you, but this is even more important on the long walks! Good Lord, imagine if you had to turn back at do a section again! The horror….. the inevitable WHINGEING!

2. Beginning at the Riverside Car Park, head towards the Cavendish Pavilion (where you could treat yourself to a coffee and a cake - check opening times!) You want to cross the wooden bridge and follow the clear signage pointing you in the direction of the Valley of Desolation. After coming to a gate near the riverside, you will need to head upwards towards the road.

3. Turn left onto the road, then soon there is a gate in the wall to your right. Go through this and head diagonally across the grassy field, onto a stone track and towards a metal gate.

4. Go through this (there are often cows grazing here) and upwards along the track. It will take you past a pond on your right. Soon after this on your left (there is a bench at the top) there is a path that heads steeply down towards the spectacular waterfall on Posforth Gill.

5. Cross the footbridge to the other side, and turn right. Shortly after crossing, there is a little path that shoots down to the right. This will get you to the edge of the waterfall for a closer look. Then head back to the main path and head up the little path which climbs the side of the waterfall, keeping the falls to your right. The path continues to follow the beck upstream. You will pass a footbridge to your right (don’t cross it, it’ll take you back where you came from) then the path rises leftwards towards the entrance of the large plantation (coincidentally, a top place to find pine cones and sticks!)

6. The path is wide, stony and very visible. Follow this through the plantation, until you reach the furthest perimeter, which will take you out onto the open moorland. Ahead of you to your right, you will see Barden Fell, to the left, Carncliff Top. A word of warning that between August and December, game shooting takes place on the moor, and on occasion it may be closed. Check with Bolton Abbey if you are unsure. Also, in prolonged periods of dry weather, the moorland may also be closed to prevent the risk of fire. Again, if in doubt, check before you head out!

7. Continue upwards on the wide moorland track. As you climb, you may notice a rocky outcrop to your right on Barden Fell. These are the Rocking Stones, and we took a little detour to go check out their climbability. They were given a thumbs up from the kids!

8. If you detour, double back on yourself to the path and keep heading up. The climb is pretty gently and gradual and you need to keep going on it, until you see the rocks of Truckle Crags to your right. They are another great climbing spot and from them, you’ll be able to see the massive rocky playground of Simon’s Seat just ahead (in a general right direction).

9. Once you have reached the impressive rocky outcrop, and clambered to your heart’s content, head to the Trig Point, which is situated on the topmost rock.

10. To head back, you need to take the path in the direction of the Devil’s Apronful, ignoring the flagged pathway that takes you down to Dalehead Farm. The path is the one turning left from the perspective of your original approach to the top of Simon’s Seat.

11. This will take you gradually downwards towards another plantation with mega views across the Dales to your right and ahead.

12. Once you reach the perimeter wall of the plantation, follow the signposts and take the clear and wide zig-zagged path leading downwards through the trees.

13. At the bottom, you will emerge out of the trees and will be treated to more spectacular views, as you descend towards Howgill. You need to take the path that heads straight on at the cross roads of paths at Howgill Lane. However, if you take a couple of minutes detour to the left, you will find LOVE Brownies who serve coffee and INCREDIBLE brownies! Well worth a 5 minute detour. And an impeccably placed cake bribery option!

14. Keep heading straight on, passing through the tiny Hamlet of Howgill, until you reach a road (Stangs Lane). The bridge over Fir Beck is to your right, and at this point, you need to carefully cross the road, and continue along the path which leads you through a small caravan site, and which takes you to the edge of the River Wharfe. This path will be signposted The Dales Way, and it will veer left, and take you all the way back alongside the river until you get to Barden Bridge.

15. Thank the LORD, in warmer months, there is usually an ice cream van here, which will probably give you just enough ice cream energy to get you all the way back through the Bolton Abbey Estate! The River Wharfe near Barden Bridge will offer you some lovely paddling spots too!

16. Head back towards Bolton Abbey, passing the Aqueduct to your right, and keeping on the path, which takes you into the woodland surrounding the Strid. Here, there are steep unguarded drops, so be warned if you have not got the head for heights! Continue along the path, until it descends back down to the riverside (another paddle spot!) Then it will return you to the wooden bridge and Cavendish Pavillion, where you began! The Cav serves drinks, snacks, cakes, and sandwiches and MORE ICE CREAM! I’m not sure about you, but if you’ve managed to get the kids all the way round Simon’s Seat, it’s definitely a well deserved double ice cream day!

Last walked April 2021