Simon's Seat from Bolton Abbey
Woodland, waterfall, open moorland, and a gritstone tor — this route packs an unusual amount of variety into one 21.9km day out.
Effort: Good distance, solid climb
Underfoot: Some uneven or off-path ground
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Mostly on runnable ground, but most runners still walk the steepest climbs.
A varied circular from Bolton Abbey through the Valley of Desolation to the dramatic gritstone summit of Simon's Seat at 485m.
Woodland, waterfall, open moorland, and a gritstone tor — this route packs an unusual amount of variety into one 21.9km day out.
The route
Starting from the Bolton Abbey car park, the route crosses the stepping stones over the Wharfe (or the footbridge in high water) before entering the Valley of Desolation — a wooded ravine named after a storm in 1826. A waterfall marks the entry to open moorland.
Simon's Seat
The gritstone outcrops of Simon's Seat (485m) are visible long before you reach them. The summit tor is a genuine scramble — hands required for the final metres. The views over Wharfedale and across to Great Whernside and Barden Fell are excellent.
The descent
Return via Trougate and the riverside path past the priory ruins for a satisfying circular.
Partner · affiliate policy
Stepping stones can be impassable in high water — use the footbridge instead. The summit tor involves a short scramble.
Summits on this route
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
- Most runners complete Simon's Seat from Bolton Abbey in 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours 50 minutes, depending on pace and conditions.
Run by us· last checked July 2026
Jason Millward has run this route and written it up from the ground. How we check routes
About the author
Runner reports
Nobody's logged a run here yet. If you get out on it, a few lines about how it went helps the next person plan their day.
Routes nearby
Start from a town: Ilkley 8.1 km · Skipton 9.4 km · Grassington 11.8 km
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MODERATERaces on this ground
All Yorkshire Dales races →Races starting within 20 km of the Simon's Seat from Bolton Abbey start, nearest first. If you are entered for one, this route is the rehearsal.
17
Apr
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Burnsall Trail Races
Riverside car park field, Burnsall, North Yorkshire · Due North Events · 5 miles away
Riverside paths and stone tracks out of Burnsall, on the Dales Way.
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Entries open
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Skipton Skedaddle
Skipton, North Yorkshire · Punk Panther · 6 miles away
Out of the market town and into the Dales — Malham Tarn, Gordale Scar and Pen-y-ghent on the long one.
HARD TO VERY HARD
Entries open
7
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provisional
Dales Dazzler
Skipton, North Yorkshire · Punk Panther · 6 miles away
Skipton to the Pennine Way, Malham Tarn and back down the Dales Way. Fifty miles if you want it.
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The Grim Reservoir Dogs
Swinsty & Fewston Reservoir car park, North Lane, near Otley · It's Grim Up North Running · 6 miles away
A run with your dog round Swinsty and Fewston reservoirs on good woodland trail, one 3.3-mile loop or two. A fun dog race, not run under canicross rules.
Entries open
£18–£29