Buckden Pike (Aug 2014)

PLEASE NOTE: The GPX trace on this route is for use as a guide only, its accuracy may change depending on the scale of map you are using. Use in combination with judgement and a paper map. We have taken all reasonable steps to ensure these walks are safe and correctly described. However things do change and all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions or for any injuries or accidents that occur whilst following this walk. Trail magazine, Copyright Bauer Media Limited.



Distance 18.5km (11½ miles)
Total ascent 600m
Time 6 hours
Start/Finish main village car park (SD968723)Terrain good tracks and paths to start and finish but much of the terrain on the top is rough and boggy, though work is being done to alleviate this. One steep section on the descent from Buckden Pike, though this is now stepped.

SD968723 Leaving from the village’s main car park, head east through the village, then north on the small road signed to Leyburn. A short way up this the road bends to the right and you continue on the track straight ahead, the distinctive walled route that heads directly north up Cam Head. Follow this until you reach a divide in the route signed left to Starbotton and right to Hunters Sleets.

SD970752 Here you go left, following a sign to Starbotton, to contour round the hillside. When you reach a gate and another divide, pass through the gate and turn right uphill. This takes you up to a further gate, where you go left onto a bridleway signed ‘Walden Rd’. The route here is less clear and can be very boggy in places, but if you keep heading north, climbing only slightly, you will pass through some old mine workings at the head of Cam Gill Beck and, heading north-west briefly, come to a track with a large cairn to your left.

SD961771 This track rises up the wonderfully named Knuckle Bone Pasture from Starbotton but as you head right up it to climb Starbotton Fell it soon becomes a small path. Heading north-east then briefly north, the path soon brings you up to the watershed and a wall that runs right to the summit.

SD965776 From this point you follow the wall, keeping to the north of it, across pretty rough, boggy and eroded ground to reach a memorial cross. This is in memory of a Polish crew whose Wellington bomber crashed here during a snowstorm in 1942. Amazingly, one of the six crew members survived by following a fox’s footprints in the snow down to safety.
SD962778 From the cross the wall bends to run north and a sign encourages you to cross it and follow it on its west side to prevent erosion. Again, this is rough and boggy in places but stone slabs are being added to make it easier and you soon reach the summit of Buckden Pike.

SD960787 A clear path continues north off the summit before bending north-west then west down steep, rocky terrain but on a good, clear path that is stepped in places. Here there are good views across to Langstrothdale. On reaching a track you turn left to head south then south-east down into the lovely Rakes Wood and arrive into Buckden. To return to Kettlewell, head west out of Buckden and cross the bridge over the River Wharfe. Immediately after the bridge the Dales Way path leaves the road off to your left.

SD939773 As with route 10, you can follow this well-marked, gentle path south-southeast by the river all the way back to Kettlewell, or return by bus from Buckden.