Strid Wood to Barden

Tower – Medium

Walk

A magical walk to complete on a fine Autumn day, or in fact all year round.  Starting from the Cavendish Pavillon near the magnificent Bolton Abbey, you will discover amazing views of the river valley along the way. Woodland paths take you through the Strid Wood and towards the mysterious Barden Tower and back on a return journey where you get to hear and see the River Wharfe up close and personal. A walk that you will want to come back and complete again and again.

Getting There From Middlesbrough follow the A66 to Darlington and then follow it to the A1 Scotch Corner. Keep on the A1 south bound and look for Junction 47 which is signposted to Harrogate. Follow the A59 road through Harrogate and follow it out of Harrogate until you come to a roundabout for Bolton Abbey on a right hand turn. Drive past the Bolton Abbey car park and look for the Cavendish Monument on the right. Follow the road down to a toll booth- the price of admission is the same as Bolton Abbey and is £8.00. Park in the car park just outside the café and near the bridge.

Map of the Strid Wood to Barden Tower walk

The Walk From the car park walk over the bridge which is opposite the Cavendish Pavilion and turn immediately to the left to commence the walk on the path ahead.

The path follows the river upstream. Go through a gate and then take the stepped path which is to the left.

Follow the path until you come to Posforth bridge. Cross over the bridge.

After crossing over the footbridge keep on the path which rises gradually. You will soon come to a stone shelter and you will have an excellent view of the river below.

Follow the path which continues high above the river below. As well as excellent views there are plenty of seats if you need to stop for a break or to take in the amazing view.

The path will soon fall and then leave the wood into a clearing and then will   head towards a bridge.

Don't cross the bridge and follow the path ahead into an open meadow until you come to another bridge.

Go over the bridge and follow the road ahead which climbs steeply.

Look for a stile to the left which leads to Barden Tower. There is a café near the tower and is an interesting diversion on the walk. There is a history of the tower on a plaque on the furthest side of the tower.

Retrace your steps down the road and before you come to the bridge, look for a small gate to the right to join the path back to the riverside.

Follow the path past the bridge and over a footbridge over the stream and back into Strid Wood.

Ignore a track to the right and after rising to a view point at a fork take the lower path which will take you down closer to the river.

At another split take the lower path to the left again which will take you to near the river at a point called The Strid. This is a dangerous spot, you will see danger signs, however if you keep away from the river edge you will see the river in all its glory.

View of the Strid

Downstream ignore the path to the Ludstream Islands and take the path ahead and you will then emerge back at the Pavilion Café- time for a Cappuccino and some cake maybe?