Buckden to Yockenthwaite

Starting point  and OS Grid reference: Pay and display car park at Buckden (SD 942773)		Ordnance Survey Map OL30 - Yorkshire Dales Northern and Central Areas. Buy this map from List of OS Maps Commission from map sales is used to fund the website, so keeping it free to use.
Distance: 6.9 miles	Date of Walk: 6 March 2012
Ascent: Descent: See Walking Time Calculator	891ft (272m) 893ft (272m)
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Introduction: Walks from Buckden do not come much nicer than this. Virtually everyone who walks from here covers this popular route sooner or later. A consequence is that it is easy to follow but even on a quiet day you are unlikely to have it to yourself. However, it is still worth walking as, for relatively little effort, the views are superb, extending along Wharfedale, Langstrothdale and across to Buckden Pike.  After an initial moderate climb along a former Roman road (Buckden Rake) and then descent to the picturesque hamlet of Cray, it follows a level terrace around the valleys before descending to Yockenthwaite (basically a large farm) then following the course of the river Wharfe via the Dalesway to Hubberholme and Buckden.

Refreshments are available at the White Lion at Cray, The George at Hubberholme and the Buck Inn plus cafes at Buckden. The George has variable opening hours so check if relying on this.

Hubberholme has an ancient church which began life in the 12^th century and is famous for its rood screen, the pews made by the “Mouseman” of Kilburn (with the mouse carvings) and as the resting place for the scattered ashes of the author J.B. Priestley (1894 –1984) – there is a plaque inside the church.

To get to Buckden, head north out of Skipton on the Grassington road (B6265). At Threshfield, ignore the right turn to Grassington and continue ahead, now on the B6160 to Buckden. The car park is through the village on the right         (SD 942773).

Start: Leave the car park (SD 942773) at the opposite end to the toilets, via a gate signposted Buckden Pike and Cray High Bridge. The stony track climbs steeply until it meets a stone wall (SD 940783). Continue with the stone wall on your left until your path is crossed by a gate and a finger post (SD 941785) signposted Buckden Pike to the right. Carry straight on signed for Cray High Bridge.

Ignore an opening in the wall on the left and keep straight ahead through a gateway next to a very large rock. Immediately after this is a sheepfold on the left.

Pass a faint track on the left going off at about 45° and go through two gateways (no gates) ahead. At the next wall  (SD 944741), go round the left hand corner from where the path descends, alongside a wall, to the hamlet of Cray. Turn right at the wall corner where there is a finger post confirming the footpath.

Cross the stream via the stepping stones (these are limestone so be careful if they are wet) and take the broad track stony directly opposite and follow the fingerpost. The track bears left behind the pub and farm buildings.

When the path divides (SD940791), take the right fork at a three way fingerpost then follow another fingerpost for Yockenthwaite and Scar House.

From here simply follow the almost level terrace around the valleys.

After passing a stone barn with an arched door, join a track coming from the left and go right (left is private). Just beyond here are some suitable rocks for a lunch stop with good views. Just beyond them, cross a little footbridge and turn left.

Continue following the terrace and ignore a path on the left at SD 922789, behind Scar House farm, unless you want to shorten the walk and go directly to Hubberholme – it rejoins my walk at the church.

As you pass the farm, the path descends slightly to a three way fingerpost. Follow the direction of Yockenthwaite, through a gated stile.

Stay on the terrace and go through a wood, exiting via a footbridge. Bear left at about 45° immediately after the bridge to a gated stile in the next wall. Follow the track along.

The bridge over the river Wharfe and farm at Yockenthwaite become visible below. Look out for a fingerpost on the left, at which point the path descends to Yockenthwaite via a series of gates and stiles. At a broad stony track, go left down to the farm (SD 906790) where there is a fingerpost indicating your route - Hubberhome 1½ miles.

Follow the river to Hubberholme. The square bell tower of the church comes into view. Pass in front of the church – it is worth a look – over the river bridge and turn left along the road. Pass Kirk Gill Manor on the left, Grange Farm on the right and then just past a stone barn on the left, as the road bends to the right, take the footpath on the left signposted Dalesway Footpath Buckden Bridge ¾ mile. The path to Buckden is clear.

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