'The Harrogate Dalesway is a long established, linear route from Harrogate to Bolton Abbey forming a link to the 80 mile-long Dales Way, long distance path, to Bowness on Windermere. The Harrogate Dalesway path includes a long section of permissive route which is subject to closure and is not easily by-passed without walking on the busy A59 road. Whilst the original route is still available, subject to this restriction, the Harrogate Group of The Ramblers has promoted an alternative route to the start of the Dales Way which minimises the possibilities of closure. The route, to be known as the "Harrogate Link" is shorter but utilises the first 8.5 miles (14km) of the Harrogate Dalesway path to connect two of Yorkshire s finest spa towns, Harrogate and Ilkley, passing through glorious countryside of great variety.'