THIS linear walk follows part of the Dales Way, which is well signposted along its route.

THE Dales Way is an ideal introduction to long distance walking.

It starts in Ilkley, stretches through the spectacular Yorkshire Dales National Park and crosses the spine of England to the shore of England's greatest lake, Windermere.

But, don't worry, this linear walk only covers nine miles of the route as it wends its way along the banks of the River Wharfe.

We pick up the footpath in picturesque Bolton Abbey, with its12th century priory and beautiful parish church.

Take a close look at the tower and see if you can spot, on either side, two carved animals which look like a dog laughing.

Legend has it that the nursery rhyme Hey Diddle Diddle may have originated here because the village was home to Prior Moone and a family named Hey.

It is said that Prior Moone was 'diddled' or robbed over the sale of some cows by the Hey family, and the dogs are laughing at him. Whether it's true or not, it's a charming story.

The walk also visits Barden Bridge, with its grade one listed tower, and Burnsall, considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in Wharfedale.

It lies on a bend of the River Wharfe surrounded by a spectacular circle of fells. It was originally an Anglo-Viking settlement and the parish church still contains rare hog-backed Viking gravestones.

Another highlight is Linton Falls, the largest waterfall on the River Wharfe. It cascades over limestone bedrock, a feature of the Craven Fault.

On the banks of the Wharfe is a hydroelectric power station, which was originally constructed in 1909 and generated electricity until 1948 when the arrival of the National Grid meant that local power generation was no longer financially viable.

The structure was abandoned and left open to the elements until Skipton-based construction and engineering company JN Bentley started restoring the plant to its former glory in April, 2011.

This walk has been provided by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and for more walks in the Dales, visit yorkshiredales.org.uk

Step by step

• From Bolton Abbey's main bus stop in the village centre find the "hole in the wall" which leads to Bolton Priory and the bridge and stepping stones below. Cross the bridge and follow the path along the far side of the river to a wooden bridge and cross over to Cavendish Pavilion where there are public toilets, a café and a shop.

• Take the path leading away from Cavendish Pavilion continuing upstream through Strid Woods. The route starts along a wide, stone chipped path before becoming more narrow and rocky as you leave the Strid section.

• Keep following the river upstream until you emerge from the woods. Take the bridge across the river to meet the road at Barden Bridge.

• Cross the road here and follow it along the river until the path leads off to the left. Keep to the riverside for around a mile, where you will come away from the river bank to meet a road. Turn left, cross the bridge and follow the Dales Way sign on its immediate left, back to the river.

• The path simply continues until you reach Burnsall, where you cross the river on the road bridge. Here there are public toilets, a shop, a café and a pub.

• The Dales Way continues upstream, alongside the Red Lion Inn past Loup Scar to the suspension bridge around a mile further on.

• Cross the bridge, continuing along the riverside eventually reaching, but not crossing, the stepping stones. Instead, turn right through the gate and then left at the lane. After passing the trout farm look for a stile on the left which leads to a riverside to path crossing fields to Linton Falls.

• At the Falls, turn right up the narrow enclosed way to Grassington National Park Centre, the car park, toilets and bus shelter.

• For further facilities in the village centre turn left at the road and walk around 200m.

Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)

Time: a minimum of about four-and-a-half hours

Terrain: Easy, level walking along popular riverside with few path-finding problems

Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer Series (1:25 000) map OL2

Parking: At Grassington National Park Authority car park

Toilets: Bolton Abbey village, Cavendish Pavilion, Burnsall and Grassington

Refreshments: Cafes at Bolton Abbey village and Cavendish Pavilion; cafes and pubs at Burnsall and Grassington