A Journey through Wharfedale – Part Deux ……….

Welcome to the second part of your journey through the valley of Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales. Where you start and the route you take depends on your mode of transport. Either way you will be spoilt for choice of fantastic Yorkshire Dales scenery.

If you were here for part one from Bolton Priory up to The Strid you will have walked through Bolton Woods from the car park in the village. So, if you are continuing by car, Motorcycle or pedal bike you will need to return to the car park to pick up your wheels and then join the B6160 towards Burnsall. When you get to Barden Towers  you will have the choice of straight on or turn right over Barden Bridge and a detour which takes in Parceval Hall, Troller’s Gill and the village of Appletreewick.

However, if you are on foot, keep following the river upstream until you also arrive at Barden Bridge. An alternative footpath on the other side of the river is accessed by coming downstream to the Cavendish Pavilion, crossing the bridge and walking up stream to Barden. Please do NOT try jumping over the Strid. You will not succeed nor will you read part three of this journey. But you could click the image and see what happens.

From Barden the same choices of road or footpath exist all the way to Burnsall via the B6160 or the detour through Appletreewick. Either way offers stunning views especially of Simon’s Seat to the right. Many forms of wildlife occupy this part of North Yorkshire including breeding birds of prey.

For those who are traversing the whole journey a number of campsites are available along the way and for refreshments, good meals and a warm welcome try the Craven Arms in Appletreewick.

The detour route and the B6160 both converge in the village of Burnsall by the Red Lion pub. And the walkers route also arrives in the village over the bridge right by the pub (how convenient).

After a short rest (or an overnight stay) road and footpath again go their separate ways with the B6160 heading for Threshfield and the footpath rejoining the river beside the Red Lion and going upstream along what is named poetically “Abbey’s Amble”. This follows the river past a spectacular limestone outcrop called Wilfrid’s Scar where the river washes its base 24 hours a day with a swift current.

Further up stream the footpath crosses the river by a suspension bridge close to where Hebden Beck joins the main river. Continuing up stream you will arrive at Linton Falls which is straddled by a large wooden clad bridge which leads to the village of Linton. A spectacular sight when the river is in flood and even at low water a walk over the bridge sets the heart racing.

Here we leave the river and turn right, signpost Grassington, and up the incline between tall dry-stone walls on the “Dales Way” long distance walk into the YD National Park car park next to the village bowling green, and left along Hebden Road towards the main street in Grassington village.  A full array of shops, cafes, pubs and even a chippy await.

For those arriving by vehicle, continue along the B6160 from Burnsall to Threshfield and turn right for Grassington at the bottom of main street turn right for the car park described above. I think it’s time for a rest and some refreshments now. So, relax, enjoy and recount your thoughts of this middle section of your journey.

What follows next time takes you right into the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, so please enjoy the sneak previews below.

See you next time.