Simon’s Seat, an excellent walk in the Yorkshire Dales, can be approached via the Valley of Desolation. This alternative, 14km circular route starts from nearby to Stump Cross Caverns and takes walkers through a changing landscape. You’ll see rolling moorland, hidden valleys and gritstone outcrops, ending in panoramic views from the summit of Simon’s Seat. Read the full guide below and download the route.
😮Difficulty: Moderate – some steep sections leading up to Simon’s Seat and boggy terrain along the moorland. Otherwise clear paths with some sections of well maintained track. Good confidence with route needed.
⛰️Terrain: a mix of road, stone tracks, moorland, paved paths
↔️Distance: 14km/8.7miles
⌛Time taken: 4-5hrs
📈Ascent: 455m
Start point: Lay-by parking near Stump Cross Caverns
🗺️Click here for the OS downloadable route
🗺️Map needed is OS Explorer OL2
🗺️Click here for the Komoot downloadable route
Car parking and starting the route
The route starts at a free layby on the B6265 near Stump Cross Caverns
Public transport option:
Public transport is limited but there is a bus that stops at Stump Cross Caverns. The Dales Bus 822, runs from Pocklington, York, Boroughbridge and Ripon. Find out more and get the bus timetable here.
Simon’s Seat circular hike details
Begin your hike by parking in the layby just below Stump Cross Caverns on the B6265. This is a great showcave that’s worth a visit, with plenty of underground passages to explore. They also have a fabulous cafe that serves a delicious afternoon tea too. From the layby, follow the road downhill for a few minutes to join the bridleway on the left. Head through the gate and follow the stony track called Black Hill Road. The climb is gradual and as you gain height, the landscape opens up to reveal Simon’s Seat directly in front of you, towering over the valley.
This is an area of disused mines and shake holes but you don’t have to worry about them as you’ll just continue following the track. Soon you’ll descend via a tarmaced road on your right into the tiny hamlet of High Skyreholme. There are a few houses here and route takes you through a gate on the left between two buildings. This feels wrong, and like you’re trespassing, but I promise this is a public footpath! Head through a second gate and over the river via a bridge, into open farm fields.
After crossing the fields diagonally and over a stile, you’ll meet the main track where you switch back towards the farm and follow the public footpath, signposted to Simon’s Seat and Barden Moor.
The ascent is short but sharp to the summit of Simon’s Seat, zigzagging up through moorland thick with heather and rocky outcrops until you emerge onto the open summit plateau.
The Summit of Simon’s Seat
At 485 metres, the trig on Simon’s Seat is set on a jumble of giant gritstone boulders perched on a high ridge, offering spectacular views in all directions. On a clear day, you’ll see down into Wharfedale and Nidderdale. As for the name Simon’s Seat, legend has it that a local shepherd named Simon would rest here and one day found a baby on the summit. The summit is a great place to explore, hopping across the rocks and choosing the perfect location for lunch, sheltered from the wind that frequently buffets the summit.
The route back to Stump Cross Caverns
From Simon’s Seat, follow the paved moorland track heading towards Lord’s Seat and Little Simon’s Seat, two rocky outcrops you can’t miss in the distance. One you reach these outcrops, the path becomes grassy and faint and in wet weather, very boggy underfoot. However, depending on the time of year you visit, swathes of cotton grass or purple heather, will make this section of the walk slightly more bearable if you end up having to dodge the bogs.
Continue along the same path toward Great Pock Stones, another cluster of weathered gritstone boulders rising from the moor. These formations are often overlooked, but they’re a great spot for a second break and provide a last glimpse back at Simon’s Seat before you begin the descent.
From Great Pock Stones, follow the bridleway that curves gently downhill.. The route gradually changes from a stony track, with Simon’s Set now in front of you and to your left, back to farmland. Be sure to check your route or map here as it can be easy to take the wrong path at a junction with three choices. Head through the hate but instead of following the tract, head off on a slight right to take you through farmland, over a stile and back down Craven Moor to the main road in the distance.
Eventually, you’ll rejoin the road near where you began with just a short walk back down the road to your car.
Is Simon’s Seat suitable for beginners?
Simon’s Seat is a moderate hike and good fitness is required. The elevation to the summit can feel steep but once you’re up, the rest of the route is relatively flat and downhill. Some navigation skills are needed here so either have the route on a map or download it to your phone using either the Ordnance Survey App or Komoot.
Are there facilities for the Simon’s Seat circular hike?
The only facilities are at Stump Crosss Caverns, near where you park. They have a cafe and toilets on site.
Be sure to let me know if you do this hike or if you have any questions. Just leave them below and I’ll be happy to help, where possible!
