RAMBLE AMONG RUINS

This delightful walk by the River Wharfe uses the Dales Way and begins by the ruins of Bolton Priory, a 12th Century monastery.

Route Start/parking: Car park for Bolton Abbey Estate. Car park/ground entrance, £8 Start

Exit car park R of toilets/ shop. Go R on lane (signposted ‘ruins/ stepping stones’) to road junction. Cross road going L then R through arch/ gate. Descend steps continuing towards priory. Go ahead at junction through gates, heading R of priory. At two old wall sections leave track L over field passing through gate to Priory ruins. Finish by passing through centre of ruins to exit to graveyard. Curve L down steps and through gate. Follow track by river to bridge/gate.

¾ mile/1.25km

Pass through gate (signposted ‘Barden Bridge’) crossing bridge. Go L staying L at steps R. Rise to go ahead when track cuts back R. When track ends go half L past tree line following grassy path to curve R around large river bend. After bench, rise up bank curving L to continue on surfaced path through gate. Rise to drop again to river. Follow path

rising to junction. Go half L past bench, curve around gully and descend to curve R through gate to lane.

1 ¾ miles /2.8km

Go R steeply up lane. Rise past ‘Back o’Th Hill Farm’ (R) continuing to lane junction R.

2 ⅓ miles /3.8km

Go R following lane past Lilac/ Pear Tree Cottages. As lane deteriorates curve R and curve L/R through farmyard at Banks Farm. Descend through small gate. Descend walled track passing through gate to path junction. Go L on path above Priory/river passing through gate/crossing bridge. Continue through kissing gate going half R down R edge field (fence

R). Near bottom leave fence following path through gate in wall. Cross bridge and then field on indistinct path passing through gate opening. Continue to pick up rising track at footpath sign. Follow this continuing ahead and R of gate opening when track veers half L. Descend through gate to follow R side field. Descend to follow river keeping fence R. Near wall ahead veer L passing through gate R of barns. Follow path through gate and wall opening to lane junction.

4¼ miles/6.75km

Go R crossing bridge to go R through gate taking Dales Way. Stay ahead on path when it becomes grassy continuing through kissing gate. Soon stay half R to follow curve in river with fence R. When fence R ends follow surfaced track ahead and continue on grassy path when it ends. Cross bridge and pass through gate. Continue on path leaving it L as it fades after line of trees. At outbound route go L on surfaced track passing through gate and continuing up steps through arch to road. Go L/R back to car park.