This is an entirely valley walk, following the River Wharfe upstream from the lowland scenery of Lower Wharfedale to the hillier surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Those who prefer a slightly shorter day can opt to stop at Appletreewick (12 miles from Ilkley), while the really fit and ambitious might consider continuing to Grassington or Linton. In any case the main highlight of the day for most walkers is the ruined Augustinian priory at Bolton Abbey, in a fine setting close to the River Wharfe. It can be crowded at summer weekends, but still, near the half-way point of the stage, makes a pleasant spot for a picnic lunch. There is also a café serving lunches a mile earlier at Bolton Bridge. Appletreewick (a short walk off the Dales Way itself) and Burnsall are both characteristically pretty stone-built Dales villages, with pubs where you can obtain evening meals.