Start/Finish

Car park by the B6160 at Buckden GR: SD942773

1 SD942773 Head north through a gate to exit the car park, turning immediately south-east along a path signposted to Buckden Lead Mine and Starbotton. Climb above the campsite to reach Buckden Beck after 200m. Head north-east, past the stone hut, heading upstream along a grassy path with the beck on the right cascading between slow pools and limestone slides. The craggy flanks of the ghyll close in as the path climbs.

2 SD946776 At a high waterfall zigzag left, scrambling up through a narrow cleft in the limestone crag, then right, threading a narrow line above vertical crag to reach the top of the fall, seen crashing far below. Continue north-east to a double tiered waterfall. Above the first tier the path again zigzags left then right, this time passing through an easier weakness in the limestone crags. As the beck dwindles, limestone crags recede and the gradient diminishes. Subsequent waterfalls are passed with ease, and the path shadows the beck to a spoil heap at Buckden Lead Mine. Climb the heap

then follow the permissive path north then east to a wall corner, where the path heads north before climbing north-east to Buckden Pike. The Three Peaks stand proud in the west, as does Great Whernside in the south-east. Cross the ladder stile and follow paving slabs north to the trig point.

3 SD961788 A good path descends north-west with a wall on the right. At 570m the path turns west, dropping past a limestone outcrop, turning south-west through gates before dropping west to a gated grassy bridleway at Buckden Rake.

4 SD941785 Contour north-north-east along the bridleway signposted Cray High Bridge. Cray hamlet appears amongst trees below, and a path signed Cray turns west, descending from the bridleway, turning north at the bottom to reach stepping stones crossing Cray Gill into Cray.

5 SD942792 Follow the track, signposted Stubbing Bridge and Yockenthwaite, passing right of the White Lion Inn to reach open pasture at a gate. The path contours along a limestone terrace above trees covering the steep flanks of Cray Gill. Continue south-west, gradually turning north-west to a footbridge at Crook Gill. Cross the bridge and continue along the path to Scar House, using the same limestone terrace now contouring above Todd’s Wood. Gaps in trees reveal Wharfedale’s wide expanse.

6 SD921789 Follow the track dropping left of Scar House and join a concrete lane that wriggles south-east past woods and pastures to reach the church at Hubberholme.

7 SD926782 Cross the road bridge at Hubberholme to reach The George Inn. Turn left heading east, then south-east along the Dubb’s Lane. The River Wharfe veers away, hidden by trees, and Kirk Gill Moor Wood climbs steep slopes on the right. After 500m the footpath veers left, signposted Buckden Bridge, through a gate heading east to re-join the Wharfe. Here the river alternates between shallow running rapids (a favourite haunt of dippers) and slow dark silent glides hiding hungry trout. Go through several gates as the path turns south-east and eventually leaves the river to cut across to Dubb’s Lane again. Head east over the arched bridge into Buckden, turning left along a track by the green, where the village shop stands out white against the natural stone of surrounding cottages. Head north along B6160 a few metres to return to the car park.