Yorkshire Walks

Setting off along the road from Barden Bridge

. . . so my friend, Jim, and I drove to Barden Bridge (map ref. SE052574) and claimed one of the few remaining parking spaces at about 10.00am. We set off along the road climbing up overlooking the river Wharfe.

April has been a very pleasant month and today was another fine sunny day. I spotted this short walk with a decent climb described in this month's edition of the Dalesman magazine. It was just what I needed for today . . .

Looking down on the River Wharfe as the road begins to climb

Looking down on the River Wharfe as the road begins to climb

Leaving the road on the track to Howgill

After about 450m we came to a junction in the track at map ref. SE063591. Here we turned right to begin the steep climb up through the woods. From this junction to Simon's Seat the route climbs about 330m.

After about 1.5km, at a point where the road curved down to our left, we turned right off the road at map ref. SE060588, to follow a track towards the hamlet of Howgill.

Start of the climb to Simon's Seat from Howgill

Track up through the plantation

Track leaving the plantation for the moor

After about 150m along the top of the wood the track veered away to our right, but the path up to Simon's Seat continues straight on. The first few metres may be a bit indistinct. (The track does go to Simon's Seat via Truckle Crag)

As we climbed the views over Wharfedale just got better and better. The track emerged from the woods onto the moor and followed the top edge of the wood.

Path round the top of the plantation

Looking down Wharfedale from the top of the plantation

Path to Simon's Seat paved with sandstone slabs

Just over 1km from the top of the wood we came to the rocky outcrop of Simon's Seat.

We continued up this popular path which is now mostly paved with heavy sandstone slabs.

Simon's Seat with the trig point on top

Simon's Seat with the trig point on top

Looking across the Parcevall Hall and Trollers Gill from Simon's Seat

Trig point on Simon's Seat

After our break we retraced our steps to pick up a paved path around the southern end of the Simon's Seat rocks and begin a steep descent down thw hillside towards Dalehead Farm directly below.

We scrambled up to the trig point to admire the view. It was quite windy on the top and after a few minutes we found a sheltered spot with a view across the Parcevall Hall and Trollers Gill to sit out of the wind for our lunch.

Start of the path down to Dalehead Farm

Lord's Seat seen from Simon's Seat

Looking back to Simon's Seat from the path to dalehead farm

Path down to Dalehead farm

Path down to Dalehead farm

I wondered if they had been here since before these hills were cleared of forest around 4 or 5000 years ago? By the time we reach the farm access road at map ref. SE074604 my old knees were feeling the strain of this steep descent.

The view across Wharfedale was lovely and as we descended I was surprised to see a few isolated clumps of woodland flowers, wood sorrell and wood anemonies.

Male grouse defending his patch

Path down to Dalehead farm

Wood Sorrell on the moor

Path down to the track at Dalehead farm

Track from Dalehead farm to Howgill

Track down towards the River Wharfe

This time at the junction we turned right to follow a track down to towards the River Wharfe.

At the access road we turned left to walk along the road back towards Howgill. After about 1.5km (map ref.SE063591 ) we came to the junction in the track where we had started the climb up to Simon's Seat.

The mile stone shows that the track was once a through route to Pateley Bridge

Wood anemonies by the path

Footpath by the River Wharfe

Angler in the River Wharfe

Ducklings on the R.Wharfe

Path by the R.Wharfe near Barden Bridge

The whole route had been about 10km with a climb of around 350m in total up to Simon's Seat and it took us about 5 hours to walk including our breaks. The scenery at every level was just magnificent.

The track brought us to a minor road which we crossed and followed the track past a few dark green painted caravans to the path beside the river. We followed this riverside path for about 1.5km back to the car at barden Bridge.

Ducks on the River WHarfe

Footpath by the River Wharfe

R.Wharfe near Barden Bridge

Path by the R.Wharfe near Barden Bridge