The Wharfe between Barden and Appletreewick

It's unusual to get a parking spot at Barden Bridge, especially on a warm sunny day like the one I had but, as luck would have it, I bagged the last free place. The bridge was built in 1659 at a cost of £300 and was swept away in a flood in 1673 and had to be rebuilt. The parapets also had to be renewed in 1856 and again in 1956 after more flood damage. The bridge we see today dates from the 17th century but there was certainly a bridge here as early as the 14th century, and probably much earlier than that.

You have two walking options, you can head either south to The Strid and Bolton Abbey or you can head north to Appletreewick or Burnsall. Both paths form part off the Dalesway Long Distance Foorpath and are equally beautiful to walk. I plumped for heading north to Appletreewick, mainly due to it being the quieter route.

The route is flat and follows the banks of The River Wharfe all the way. The first part is through pasture land and gives great views up the dale. Then as it nears Appletreewick, it enters a wooded area where the River Wharfe gets quite choppy as it flows over a series of cascades. Then, once out of the confines of the woods, it is back to its original benign flow.

If it had been summer, I would have walked up in to the village and called for a pint in The Craven Arms which is one of the best, if not the best pubs in The Dales but, due to the shortness of the days at this time of year, I just turned round and followed The Dales Way back.

On my way I bumped in to a couple who said they had seen a kingfisher further along the river but, as per usual, it was long gone by the time I got there. I just don't seem to have much luck spotting Kingfishers.

As I got back to the bridge, the sun was low and the shadows were long which enabled me to get some cracking photos. This ended my afternoon perfectly.