Bolton Abbey and the Strid

The walk starts from the Bolton Abbey car park in the village and makes a circuit along both banks of the Wharfe. It goes down to the ruins of Bolton Priory, crosses the river by the footbridge beside the stepping stones and follows the east bank to the wooden bridge at the Cavendish Pavilion. It crosses to the west bank and goes up through Strid Wood to the Strid, where the whole river is squeezed through a narrow rock channel, then on past the castellated aqueduct to Barden Bridge. The return is down the east bank through the woods to the Cavendish Pavilion, and by the west bank path back to the priory.

It is 11.6 km with 121 m of ascent; allow about 3¼ hours. The grade is Moderate: it is long but nearly level, on good riverside paths.

The estate warns that the Strid is very dangerous and that lives have been lost there: keep well back from the edge. The river rises and falls fast and swimming is not advised. Dogs must be on a lead in Strid Wood.

Parking is paid by the car for the day (£12.50 when booked online), and the ticket covers the estate's car parks in the village, at the Cavendish Pavilion and at Strid Wood. There is no station nearby.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.