This beautiful Yorkshire Dales walk takes you through the tranquil Valley of Desolation, which is quite the oxymoron, past waterfalls along the River Wharfe with some beautiful scenic views. A walk that has a breathtaking view at the summit is one that is always well worth it and Simon’s Seat does not disappoint – you can enjoy panoramic views 485m above sea level.
Simon’s Seat is said to get its name in relation to the Druids that followed Simon Magnus who claimed to be one of the Three Wise Men. It’s a popular walk of the lower hills in the Yorkshire Dales and sits atop Barden Fell.
You can start your walk from the famous Bolton Abbey, one of the Yorkshire Dales most popular tourist attractions. You can find the path across the bridge from the Cavendish Pavillion and follow it along the River Wharfe.
Simon’s Seat is around 4-miles away from Bolton Abbey, you can head through the Valley of Desolation and visit the beautiful waterfall of Posforth Gill, which is a pair of idyllic waterfalls found in Posforth Gill near the Cavendish Pavillion car park.
Once you’ve reached Simon’s Seat you can appreciate the heather moors and granite boulders along the path. Enjoy the views of Wharfedale, especially the Grimwith Reservoir and other features off in the distance to the North.
The granite boulders make for a perfect spot to enjoy a picnic with a view, before heading back down. You can either head back to the Cavendish cafe for a well-earned drink or make your way to the famous Devonshire Arms with a nice pint and some delicious food.
If you’d like to find out more, why not visit the Bolton Abbey website – make sure you visit their famous stepping stones as well. If you’d like to visit more walks with stepping stones check out our list here.
The Yorkshire Dales has some fantastic waterfall walks that you need to get on your bucket list. We’ve made a list of some of our favourites that you may want to try – check it out below.
Read More: 8 Of The Most Stunning Waterfalls In The Yorkshire Dales
Feature Image Credit: Photo © Stephen Craven (cc-by-sa/2.0)
