Devised by the Burley Bridge Association (BBA) and Ramblers Lower Wharfedale, the Yorkshire Heritage Way is a recreational footpath between the centre of Bradford and the centre of Ripon. It also links the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Saltaire and Fountains Abbey and goes through some of the best scenery that West and North Yorkshire has to offer. This includes a wildlife-rich green corridor close to the middle of urban Bradford, to upland moor landscapes with extensive views, stunning wooded valleys with cascading streams, and past dramatic geological formations such as Brimham Rocks. There are also loads of bridges to cross including the 13th century Butterton Bridge near Sawley which features on the waymarks along the route. The Wharfe can be crossed in Burley in Wharfedale either by the stepping stones or by Denton Bridge depending on water level and the guidebook covers both options.
The River Wharfe forms the southern boundary of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This comprises a 233 square mile nationally important landscape with the same level of protection as a National Park, stretching from the eastern flank of the Yorkshire Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales National Park to the edge of the Vale of York. The Yorkshire Heritage Way was created in order to provide a mostly traffic free green corridor that joins the Nidderdale AONB with the urban communities of Bradford District. It takes its name by creating a link between two iconic Yorkshire UNESCO World Heritage sites and between two cities - Bradford, one of the grandest cosmopolitan cities in the north of England and Ripon, one of the smallest and prettiest. The route also connects two beautiful and historic cathedrals.
The Burley Bridge Association was formed in 1996 by Ramblers UK members who lived in Burley and surrounding communities. It has been campaigning for many years for a safe year round crossing of the River Wharfe in Burley in Wharfedale to complement the stepping stones adjacent to Burley Weir. These are frequently covered, especially from autumn to spring, and in any case are not accessible to many people. The current campaign is the latest in many attempts by Burley in Wharfedale residents going back 130 years to enable better access to the beautiful countryside and rural communities on the north bank of the river.
A launch event was held on 29 April, 2022 with four days of walks completing the full route, starting from Bradford Cathedral.
Source: Burley Bridge Association
