As a Lancashire lad born and bred, I can’t help but recoil a little inside whenever Yorkshire folk boast of their region being ‘God’s own county’.
After having recently taken in the glorious views from atop of Simon’s Seat however, I must admit it’s getting harder to disagree with this sentiment…
One of the best vantage points for admiring the spectacular Yorkshire Dales countryside, the peak of Simon’s Seat is also renowned for its unique millstone grit formations which dramatically jut out from the summit.
With tons of trails to choose from, on our last visit we discovered a lesser-known route up the peak which I just had to share with our readers.
Even better, it also has a free car park. Get in!
Likewise, with options to extend your ramble after conquering Simon’s Seat – including the trail which leads to the epic Valley of Desolation waterfall – this really is a must visit location for outdoor lovers.
Interested in hearing more? Then check out our detailed Simon’s Seat guide below 👇👇
What is Simon’s Seat?
While only standing at 485 metres (1,591 ft) above sea level, Simon’s Seat continues to be one of the Yorkshire Dales most popular peaks for ramblers.
Treating those who make the relatively brief but steep climb to the summit with incredible vistas, Simon’s Seat is located in Wharfedale Valley on the private land of the Bolton Abbey Estate.
While not home to any public footpaths, walkers are still able hike up the fell due to being on access land, which permits entry for recreation & exercise purposes.
Why is it called Simon’s Seat?
First recorded as ‘Simon’s Seat’ in 1771, there are three prevailing theories as to how the peak could have acquired it’s rather unusual name:
- The crag may simply have been titled after the owner of the estate, similarly to how the nearby hills of Lord’s Seat & Earl Seat were.
- In 1838, traveller Fredreick Montagu told a tale of how the hill was named after an infant was found on its summit by a shepherd, who went on to name the child Simon.
- 19th Century antiquarian – Henry Speight – believed the peak may have been a hotspot for druid worship and was named after the infamous biblical figure, Simon Magus – a.k.a. ‘Simon the Sorcerer’.
Where do you park to walk Simon’s Seat?
While Simon’s Seat is located on the Bolton Abbey estate, we wouldn’t recommend parking on the main Bolton Abbey car park. In recent years the price for parking here has gotten pretty ludicrous.
Instead of starting the walk from the main car park, there are several alternate routes to reach Simon Seat, including our personal favourite spot from Barden Bridge.
The walk from Barden Bridge detailed below is quiet, lesser known, incredibly scenic and also has free parking – although spots are limited so you’re best off getting here early doors!
You’ll often find a Yorkshire Dales ice cream van stationed here too – the perfect treat after your climb!
Simon’s Seat walk
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes – 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Starting point: Barden Bridge, 6AT, Dales Way, Skipton
Simon’s Seat walk from Barden Bridge – Step-by-step guide
From the car park, walk past Barden Bridge (do not cross over it) and head through the gate directly in front labelled ‘Bolton Abbey’. From here, simply follow the footpath beside the river for a short while until you reach Barden Aqueduct.
Turn left up the steep hill once you see the footpath signposted for ‘Coney Warren access point’. Keep straight and hop over the stiles at the top of the path which take you through the field and onto the country road ahead.
Cross the road, clamber over the ladder stile directly in front and follow the footpath uphill towards Lower Fell Plantation.
Following signs for Simon’s Seat, the trail drifts to the right here and quickly becomes pretty overgrown and unkempt.
To keep on track, simply hug the trees to your left, sticking beside the dry stone wall all the way past the plantation until the trail eventually swings right up towards Simon’s Seat.
Make the uphill climb to the summit and relish in those magnificent Yorkshire panoramas from above!
After reaching Simon’s Seat
For those only wanting to visit Simon’s Seat, you can simply return back along the same path you came.
Alternatively, rather than walking back along the unkempt Lower Fell Plantation segment, you could opt to take the zig zag path straight down to Howgill Lane and onto Stangs Lane, where you can stroll back to the car park along the stunning Dales Way riverside path.
Once you reach the fork at Lower Fell Plantation on your return journey, take the tarmac lane on your right down to Howgill Farm if you don’t fancy heading left up towards the overgrown Plantation path.
Top tip – For all you adventurous types wanting to explore more of the local area after conquering Simon’s Seat’s however, then you REALLY need to make your way over to the jaw-dropping Valley of Desolation waterfall (watch this space – detailed guide coming soon).
How long of a walk is Simon’s Seat?
If you’re walking from Barden Bridge, the distance to Simon’s Seat and back comes in at roughly 6 miles, which at a steady pace should take around 2 hours 30 minutes.
If you’re planning on extending your ramble and venturing to the Valley of Desolation, you can look to add around another 2-3 miles to your hiking time.
Is Simon’s Seat a mountain?
While it certainly feels like quite the climb, Simon’s Seat is not actually regarded as a mountain.
A mountain is categorised as a landform that rises at least 610 metres (2,000 feet) above sea level. Simon’s Seat falls short of this quite considerably, though still stands at a respectable 485 metres (1,591 ft).
As they always say though – size isn’t everything!
Top tip – For hikers after more of a challenge in the Yorkshire Dales, then I’d recommend tackling some of the National Park’s most iconic mountains: Pen-y-ghent, Whernside & Ingleborough.
Better yet, why not climb all three as part of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge? (👈 Click through to find out more!)
Can you walk dogs to Simon’s Seat?
No dogs are allowed on the Barden Fell and Barden Moor open access areas I’m afraid – which includes Simon’s Seat & the Valley of Desolation – so you’ll have to leave your four legged companions at home for this one!
While controversial, The Bolton Abbey Estate placed this blanket ban to avoid dogs potentially disturbing the variety of birdlife which nest on the grounds.
More resources
Interested in discovering more hikes and outdoor adventures in the local area? Then be sure to jump on over to the Yorkshire section of our blog!
Happy walking 🚶🚶