Drive to the Bolton Abbey Estate car park with this water fountain (pictured) at its entrance. (you can also use the next car park, half a mile downhill from here.)

The parking fee is currently £5 which is a good deal if you think of it as the price of admission (for all the family) to a very large and well-kept estate. It entitles you to use all the car parks on the estate, and to access all areas for the day. All the fees are ploughed back into retaining the beauty of the estate.

Once parked, make your way to the Pavilion and cross the bridge (pictured) turning left and going through the wide wooden gate.

Follow the pathway way marked Valley of Desolation, with the river on your left.

At this wooden stepped stile, (pictured) cross turning right and follow the path up to the road.( I have been informed that this has been changed to a gate.)

Ignore the path on the right once on the tarmac, and head uphill on the road.

At a small track turn right, signposted footpath, and arrive at an information board. (pictured) Go through the small swing gate marked pedestrian access only which is to the left of the board.

(No dogs allowed from here.)

Now go through a single swing gate. Pass another information board on the left, follow the track along Posforth Gill to the left and down.

Over on your left is a wood bench, with views over and down onto the first and most spectacular waterfall on this walk.

Going down to get a closer look is not recommended.

Carry on up the hill, reaching a track, turn left and continue up.

Arriving at this single lane wood bridge (pictured), climb the 4 steps and cross.

Follow the path with the stream on your right.

Continue along the pathway till you reach a junction, and this signpost. (picture)

You need to go left here the path leaves the river and goes uphill, to continue the rest of the walk. If you want to see the second waterfall, follow the sign keeping closer to the river path, before returning back here.

(Click on this picture to see the second waterfall)

You will soon reach this wood swing kissing gate. (pictured)

Go through it, following the footpath into the woods with deciduous trees on your left, and fir on your right.
Enjoy the pleasant shade Sheepshaw Plantation gives.

You may wish to stop a while, and take advantage of the springy grass here, and unfold the picnic for a short repast.

The way ahead is well marked by this stony track. (pictured)

Keep the dry stone wall to your right, over the ford and up the shale track.

Pass this stone-age picnic table on the left (pictured) and continue the well marked pathway through the heather.

A pathway joins from the right...ignore this and carry straight on.

Be careful not to get lost at this point.

You are aiming for this rock edifice (pictured) which is just short of the trig point. Take time out for pictures and the view.

Now...You need to look for the wood fence and track to the left of this rock

This (pictured) is the track to the left of Simons Seat.

Follow this all the way downhill. Notice the lovely views down on your right, and Upper and Lower Barden Reservoirs in front of you.

(It's all downhill from here :)

Keep the drystone wall on your right. The track bears sharp right going downhill between fir trees bordered by drystone walls.

Next is this wooden diamond bar gate, go over the stile to its right, moving forward.

Continue downhill until this double wooden six bar gate. (pictured) Go through the single wood swing gate at its side.

Pass the information board over on the left, and at the cross of tracks carry forward and downhill.

Go past the farmhouse and outhouses on the left, and follow the pathway down.

Cross the road, go straight over, and take the track signposted Barden Bridge 1 mile, with the River Wharfe on your right. (picture)

Pass a farm going through a pair of wood kissing gates.

You are now on the Dales Way. Keep to this all the way back, and enjoy the beautiful scenery like this (pictured) along the riverside.

There are a few more gates and stiles till you reach the road. A single file pathway keeps you safe from traffic and aims you towards Barden Bridge.
You may want to stop for refreshments.
(An ice-cream van hovers here)

Do not cross Barden Bridge (unless you want to visit Barden Tower) but take the path to the left with the river on your right still.

Walk on until you reach this second bridge (pictured) and cross the river here.

Continue in the same direction, now with the river over to your left.

The path is well laid, and leads you back to the car park over a very pleasant two mile walk along the riverside.

If you do venture down to the Strid, remember that the water here can be dangerous.

There are no toilets available along this walk. The nearest being at the start and finish point by the Pavilion.