Bolton Park and the Valley of Desolation (approx. 4½ miles)


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Maps: OS Explorer Map (OL2) - Yorkshire Dales - Southern & Western Areas. map
Start: SE 773 553 - Wooden Bridge over River Wharfe by the Cavendish Pavilion.
Route: Mostly along well-defined paths and tracks - though some may be muddy after rain and there is one shallow ford to cross. The routes starts with an ascent through deer park up to heather moorland. The descent is mainly through a wooded river valley. Note: part of the route follows permissive footpaths on which dogs are not allowed.
Links to route files: Ordnance Survey OS Maps online (may only available to OSMaps subscribers) or .gpx (exported from OSMaps - for many handheld devices).
More info: route profile
Refreshments: The Cavendish Pavilion at the start (and finish) - nothing on the route I'm afraid - but it is only a relatively short walk.
the Wooden bridge Cross the wooden bridge and walk along the short length of track to pass through a wooden gate. Walk straight across a track …
track leading to Bolton Park Farm … passing between stone gateposts along the farm road to Bolton Park Farm.
near Bolton Park Farm Bear right following the finger post, Permissive Footpath to Barden Access Area.
near Bolton Park Farm The track leads between farm buildings, most of which are on the right of the track. As you pass the last of the farm buildings the track leads through a gateway and bears left, climbing to …
Bolton Park ... the next gateway and cattle grid. The track leads uphill through another gateway (with cattle grid alongside) and on to the Access Land.
Barden Fell Access Land The next gateway had a wooden gate propped open. Before going through, take time to admire the view behind you. At the other side of this gateway …
Barden Fell Access Land … the track divides. Take the left fork signed, Broadshaw House only. Carry on following the track through another gateway with cattle grid (leaving the Access Land of the Access Land).
Broadshaw House The track bears round to the right and leads you down to Broadshaw House (I'll use the spelling on the sign that we passed, rather than the OS Map spelling).
Broadshaw House Cross the wooden footbridge and follow the track round to the right for a short distance …
outbuildings at Broadshaw House … before turning left through the gateway pictured. Walk past the farm buildings on your right and then through a wooden gate.
between Broadshaw House and Hudson Gill Walk along the grassy track through another gateway, after which the path divides. Bear left …
between Broadshaw House and Hudson Gill … go through the gate pictured and follow the track down to …
bridge over Hudson Gill Beck … a bridge over Hudson Gill Beck. After crossing the beck the track climbs sharply to the left, through a wooden gate …
betweeen Hudson Gill and Agill House … continuing uphill. Pass through the gateway at the top of the hill and across the field to …
Agill House … go through this gateway, pass the front of the derelict Agill House and through the gateway beyond.
betweeen Agill House and the Valley of Desolation Continue in the same direction across fields to the gateway pictured. The grassy track leads …
betweeen Agill House and the Valley of Desolation … to another gate. Go through this and turn left along a track …
betweeen Agill House and the Valley of Desolation … which leads to the ford across a small stream.
betweeen Agill House and the Valley of Desolation Continue up to meet the main path from the Wharfe to Simon's Seat. Turn left …
the Valley of Desolation … following the track through a wooden gate into the conifer plantation. At the far end of the woodland go through a narrow wooden gate …
the Valley of Desolation … and follow the narrower path through the Valley of Desolation (so called because of the destruction caused by a storm surge through the valley in 1836). The path follows the direction of the beck, which is crossed by a narrow footbridge. Once across the stream …
the Valley of Desolation … the path widens , leading to …
Bolton Park … a kissing gate. Continue in the same direction to pass a lodge on your right. Go through a wooden gate and turn left …
minor road, Bolton Abbey Estate ... onto the road pictured. After a few metres …
minor road, Bolton Abbey Estate … take the path on the right, down to the river. Turn left onto the riverside path …
riverside path, Bolton Abbey Estate ... to return to the wooden bridge and the start of the walk.

Other walks near here:


All text and images ©Graham Dean, November, 2016.


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