A circuit in Wharfedale: The Dales Way, Simon's Seat, Lord's Seat, & the Valley of Desolation - 11.5miles 1600ft  

My route this week would start and finish with  walking sections of the Dales Way long distance path. 

After parking by the river at Barden bridge I headed north up Wharfedale

The early morning mist was just rising out of the dale

On reaching Skyreholme I started the fairly short climb through the heatherclad hillside to Simon's Seat  

Looking back down what was now an excellent path to the summit 

The summit trig point on top of the rocky outcrop of Simon's Seat - 1591ft.

Time for a coffee and flapjack sat on the rocks

I was being keenly watched by a Red Grouse!

Looking back after the short walk across summit to Lord's Seat. 

Lord's Seat provides a great view east to RAF Menwith Hill which provides communications and intellingence support services to the United Kingdom and United States.

While then descending to the Valley of Desolation I noticed I was being closely watched by a pair of Red Kites. When mature their wingspan is 5ft and they were certainly an amazing sight circling above me.  

Crossing the bridge into the Valley of Desolation!

......with it's dramatic waterfall

The valley leads back down to the river Wharfe close to Bolton Abbey with the Cavendish Pavillion's cafe and other facilities.....

It's accessed on the other side of the river by this footbridge

It's then a lovely walk following the river upstream through Strid Woods....

.....to The Strid.

The Strid is a 'pinch point' that forces the whole river into a very narrow gap 

Care is needed on the rocky edges which can get very slippy 

Finally a mile or so further upstream is Barden bridge the starting point of today's walk