GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Barden Bridge to the Strid and Bolton Abbey Walk

7 miles (11 km)

This is a popular riverside walk from Barden Bridge to Bolton Abbey along a section of the Dales Way.
Passing along the River Wharfe the route runs for about 3.4 miles so roughly a 7 mile walk there and back.
You can start off from the public car park at Barden Bridge where you can visit the nearby Barden Tower. The medieval fortified tower dates back to the 15th century when it was originally a hunting lodge.
The route then heads south east, passing Strid Wood where you will find a rushing waterfall.
Shortly after you will come to the site of the fascinating ancient priory. Here you can explore the ruins of the 12th-century Augustinian monastery and pick up one of the colour coded nature trails.
To continue your walking from the car park head west to visit Barden Reservoir where there's a lovely circular trail around the picturesque lake.

Postcode

BD23 6AS - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Barden Bridge to Bolton Abbey OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Barden Bridge to Bolton Abbey Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

From the abbey car park you could pick up the Simon's Seat Walk. This more challenging hill climb will reward you with wonderful views over the abbey and the Yorkshire Dales.
Barden Tower has strong links to Lady Anne Clifford who renovated the building in the mid 17th century. You can pick up the Lady Anne's Way long distance trail at the site and follow it to other historic buildings connected to the Clifford family.

Photos

Barden Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 3034057

Barden Bridge

Meadows north of Barden Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 3686444

Meadows north of Barden Bridge

Barden Tower - geograph.org.uk - 3099654

Barden Tower. This ancient building is a significant historical site on the Lady Anne's Way long distance path. Lady Anne restored the tower in 1659. Surprisingly, it did not belong to her, but on her death it was returned to the rightful owners, The Earls of Cork. Sadly the building fell into decline in the late 18th century.

A waterfall on the Strid - geograph.org.uk - 2510021

A waterfall on the Strid

The Dales Way - geograph.org.uk - 3192419

The Dales Way

Plank footbridge over Stead Dike - geograph.org.uk - 2935826

Plank footbridge over Stead Dike

The Wharfe by Cavendish Pavilion - geograph.org.uk - 1335978

The Wharfe by Cavendish Pavilion. The pavilion is in the pleasure grounds of Bolton Abbey which were created for the 6th Duke of Devonshire. The footbridge is part of the footpath network

Bolton Abbey - geograph.org.uk - 2376780

Bolton Abbey

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Barden Bridge to Bolton Abbey.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')