27th February 2022 - Old Cote Moor Top
Walk Details
Distance walked: 11.8 miles
Total ascent: 1808 ft
OS map used: OL30 - Yorkshire Dales, Northern & Central areas
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Kettlewell-Far Lane-Starbotton-Dales Way-Dubb's Lane-Buckden-Dubb's Lane-Old Cote Moor Top-Middlesmoor Pasture-Knipe Scar-Knipe Wood- Kettlewell
For my second walk of the weekend I've opted for some well-walked territory, Wharfedale and the moorland ridge that separates this dale from Littondale. The last time that I was on this particular part of it was nearly two years ago, it was the final walk that I did before the first lockdown of COVID-19 came into force in March 2020. However, I don't think that I've ever walked it by starting from Kettlewell, and I'm certain that I've never used the hillside path from Kettlewell to Starbotton. In the future I'd use this path rather the Dales Way to travel between the two villages, as it gives some really good views of this part of Wharfedale. It was another lovely late winter's day for being on the moors, with lots of blue skies and sunshine after a bit of low cloud on the tops of the fells in the morning cleared.
From the car park in Kettlewell I walked through the village and up Far Lane to reach the path to Starbotton. I followed this path north along the hillside and down into Starbotton, where after crossing the main road I took the bridleway down to the footbridge over the River Wharfe. Once across I joined the Dales Way and followed it north towards Buckden until I reached Dubb's Lane, where I left it and walked up into Buckden to stop for lunch. After this break I walked back down Dubb's Lane and followed it towards Hubberholme until I reached a bridleway on the left signposted to Litton, which I took and followed up the hillside until I reached its top, leaving it here for the short walk to the trig point on Old Cote Moor Top. I then made my way down the moorland ridge that separates Littondale and Wharfedale, following the wall along its top to the southeast and crossing to the Wharfedale side when I reached a ladder stile, past the trig point on Middlesmoor Pasture and to its end above Knipe Scar. After taking in the view from here I backtracked a short distance up the hillside and took the footpath down through Knipe Wood to the B6160 and back to Buckden.
Total ascent: 1808 ft
OS map used: OL30 - Yorkshire Dales, Northern & Central areas
Time taken: 6.5 hrs
Route description: Kettlewell-Far Lane-Starbotton-Dales Way-Dubb's Lane-Buckden-Dubb's Lane-Old Cote Moor Top-Middlesmoor Pasture-Knipe Scar-Knipe Wood- Kettlewell
For my second walk of the weekend I've opted for some well-walked territory, Wharfedale and the moorland ridge that separates this dale from Littondale. The last time that I was on this particular part of it was nearly two years ago, it was the final walk that I did before the first lockdown of COVID-19 came into force in March 2020. However, I don't think that I've ever walked it by starting from Kettlewell, and I'm certain that I've never used the hillside path from Kettlewell to Starbotton. In the future I'd use this path rather the Dales Way to travel between the two villages, as it gives some really good views of this part of Wharfedale. It was another lovely late winter's day for being on the moors, with lots of blue skies and sunshine after a bit of low cloud on the tops of the fells in the morning cleared.
From the car park in Kettlewell I walked through the village and up Far Lane to reach the path to Starbotton. I followed this path north along the hillside and down into Starbotton, where after crossing the main road I took the bridleway down to the footbridge over the River Wharfe. Once across I joined the Dales Way and followed it north towards Buckden until I reached Dubb's Lane, where I left it and walked up into Buckden to stop for lunch. After this break I walked back down Dubb's Lane and followed it towards Hubberholme until I reached a bridleway on the left signposted to Litton, which I took and followed up the hillside until I reached its top, leaving it here for the short walk to the trig point on Old Cote Moor Top. I then made my way down the moorland ridge that separates Littondale and Wharfedale, following the wall along its top to the southeast and crossing to the Wharfedale side when I reached a ladder stile, past the trig point on Middlesmoor Pasture and to its end above Knipe Scar. After taking in the view from here I backtracked a short distance up the hillside and took the footpath down through Knipe Wood to the B6160 and back to Buckden.
Route map
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Leaving Kettlewell behind
Looking across Wharfedale to Firth Fell
Following the hillside path north to Starbotton...
Looking back to Starbotton from the bridleway down to the River Wharfe
Crossing the River Wharfe
Views of Wharfedale as I follow the Dales Way north to Buckden.....
The bridge over the River Wharfe below Buckden
After a break for lunch in Buckden I walk back down Dubb's Lane to the bridge over the Wharfe, and on towards Hubberholme to pick up the bridleway to Litton..
Looking across to Buckden as I start my ascent of the bridleway over the fell to Litton
It's easy enough to follow with regularly spaced wooden posts painted blue on their tops
Looking back to Buckden below Buckden Pike..
..and down Wharfedale to Great Whernside
As I reach the top of the bridleway I get a view of Penyghent and Plover Hill to the west, with Whernside in the distance in the middle of the photo
The broad moorland expanse of Birks Fell to the northwest
Through the gate and the bridleway continues on its way down to Litton. However, I won't be.
Fountains Fell, Penyghent and Plover Hill
Approaching the trig point on Old Cote Moor Top
Fountains Fell, Penyghent and Plover Hill from the trig point
Buckden Pike and Great Whernside
The broad moorland expanse of Birks Fell to the northwest
Leaving the trig point I follow the wall south, and then cross the moor to arrive at a ladder stile..
After crossing the stile I have a view across Wharfedale to Great Whernside with Starbotton below on the left..
..as well as Buckden below Buckden Pike
My favourite part of the walk is next as I make my way south down the moorland that separates Wharfedale and Littondale...
Looking back up the ridge to Old Cote Moor Top
Heading down onto Middlesmoor Pasture
At the trig point on Middlesmoor Pasture
Looking down Wharfedale to Cracoe Fell
Buckden Pike behind the trig point
Making my way down to the end of the ridge above Knipe Scar to where Wharfedale and Littondale meet..
On the path back to Kettlewell..
Looking across Wharfedale to Conistone Moor
Heading down through Knipe Wood
Kettlewell is in sight, and fortunately there's a concessionary footpath to keep me off the busy road