17th September 2021 - Buckden Pike
Walk Details
Distance walked: 11.6 miles
Total ascent: 2459 ft
OS map used: OL30 - Yorkshire Dales, Northern & Central areas
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Buckden-Dales Way-Hubberholme-Dales Way-Yockenthwaite-Scar House-Cray-Buckden Rake-Buckden Pike-Walden Road-Buckden
After yesterday's ascent of Great Whernside, today it was its next door neighbour Buckden Pike's turn. The weather wasn't as good as it was yesterday though, cloudier, a bit cooler (I had to put my fleece on earlier than I did for going up Great Whernside), and the visibility wasn't as good. Starting from Buckden I decided to head away from Buckden Pike to begin with by taking the Dales Way to Yockenthwaite, and then make my way towards it by taking the path to Cray from Yockenthwaite. It gave the weather to brighten up and warm up a bit.
From the car park in Buckden I walked down Dubb's Lane to the bridge over the River Wharfe and took the trail of the Dales Way. I then followed the trial north to Hubberholme, and then west to Yockenthwaite, where I left the Dales Way and took the footpath up a track above Yockenthwaite Farm. I kept on the footpath as it left the track and entered Strans Wood, then followed it east across the hillside to Scar House, then on to and across the footbridge over Crook Gill, and down to the hamlet of Cray. After crossing the road and Cray Gill I took the footpath up the hillside to reach the footpath of Buckden Rake, which I ignored, to follow a wall up access land to join the bridleway to the summit of Buckden Pike. After taking in the view I took the path south along the summit ridge to the war memorial and down to the Walden Road bridleway, which I then followed south down towards Starbotton. Before the final descent into Starbotton I reached a footpath on the right signposted for Buckden Lead Mine, I took this and followed it up the hillside until I reached a concessionary footpath coming up from Buckden. This path was taken for the descent back to Buckden.
Total ascent: 2459 ft
OS map used: OL30 - Yorkshire Dales, Northern & Central areas
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Buckden-Dales Way-Hubberholme-Dales Way-Yockenthwaite-Scar House-Cray-Buckden Rake-Buckden Pike-Walden Road-Buckden
After yesterday's ascent of Great Whernside, today it was its next door neighbour Buckden Pike's turn. The weather wasn't as good as it was yesterday though, cloudier, a bit cooler (I had to put my fleece on earlier than I did for going up Great Whernside), and the visibility wasn't as good. Starting from Buckden I decided to head away from Buckden Pike to begin with by taking the Dales Way to Yockenthwaite, and then make my way towards it by taking the path to Cray from Yockenthwaite. It gave the weather to brighten up and warm up a bit.
From the car park in Buckden I walked down Dubb's Lane to the bridge over the River Wharfe and took the trail of the Dales Way. I then followed the trial north to Hubberholme, and then west to Yockenthwaite, where I left the Dales Way and took the footpath up a track above Yockenthwaite Farm. I kept on the footpath as it left the track and entered Strans Wood, then followed it east across the hillside to Scar House, then on to and across the footbridge over Crook Gill, and down to the hamlet of Cray. After crossing the road and Cray Gill I took the footpath up the hillside to reach the footpath of Buckden Rake, which I ignored, to follow a wall up access land to join the bridleway to the summit of Buckden Pike. After taking in the view I took the path south along the summit ridge to the war memorial and down to the Walden Road bridleway, which I then followed south down towards Starbotton. Before the final descent into Starbotton I reached a footpath on the right signposted for Buckden Lead Mine, I took this and followed it up the hillside until I reached a concessionary footpath coming up from Buckden. This path was taken for the descent back to Buckden.
Route map
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The bridge carrying Dubb's Lane over the River Wharfe just outside Buckden. The Dales Way also crosses the road at this point.
Taking the Dales Way north towards Hubberholme
Looking south down Wharfedale
The George Inn on the other side of the River Wharfe in Hubberholme
The church of St. Michael and All Angels in Hubberholme
From Hubberholme I follow the Dales Way west towards Yockenthwaite
The River Wharfe is certainly running low at the moment
and the riverbed is dry at Yockenthwaite
Looking back down on Yockenthwaite as I take the hillside path to Cray
Raisgill and Horse Head Moor on the other side of Langstrothdale
This path takes me across limestone pavement and through trees at the top of Strans Wood and Rais Wood
Passing Scar House
My lunch stop has a great view looking down Wharfedale from above Hubberholme Wood
Continuing on the path towards Cray with the western slopes of Buckden Pike ahead
Farm machinery getting some fresh air
At the White Lion Inn in Cray
Looking back down on Cray as I take the path up to Buckden Rake
Looking down on Langstrothdale and Cray as I make my way up Buckden Pike
A bit of sunshine on Kidstones Scar
Higher up and the moorland of Stake Moss and Stake Allotments comes into view to the north of Kidstones Scar
At the trig point on Buckden Pike with Fountains Fell, Penyghent, Plover Hill, Ingleborough and Whernside in the distance
Looking to the south top of Buckden Pike with Great Whernside in the distance on the left
The valley of Waldendale, Height of Hazely and Brown Haw to the northeast
Wild Boar Fell and Great Shunner Fell in the distance to the north beyond the moorland of Stake Allotments
Penyghent, Plover Hill, Horse Head Moor, Ingleborough, Langstrothdale, Whernside and Yockenthwaite Moor
Leaving the trig point behind..
..to head south along Buckden Pike's summit ridge
Views of Fountains Fell, Penyghent, Plover Hill, Horse Head Moor, Ingleborough and Whernside to my right
The war memorial at Buckden Pike's south top
The bulk of Great Whernside in the distance as I start my descent from Buckden Pike
Looking down Cam Gill into Wharfedale from the bridleway of Walden Road
Looking back up to Starbotton Fell
The village of Starbotton below, and this is as far as I'm going down Walden Road
Instead I take a path north across the hillside back to Buckden
Wharfedale leads round into Langstrothdale
Making my way back down to Buckden in the late afternoon sunshine...
