Walks in Litton, North Yorkshire

Walk: Buckden Pike

One of the best of the mountains in the Dales and one of the 'Dales 30'. Buckden Pike sits at the head of Wharfedale with splendid views in all directions. The Route what3words for start point: ///skirting.bids.success Start Point: Buckden Car Park, BD23 5JA Finish Point: Buckden Car Park, BD23 5JA Distance: 5.5 Miles GPX Route Map buckdenpikeDownload Walk Description Start in the village of Buckden and head up the steep but obvious path towards this lovely Dales hill. It is worth walking along the 1 mile summit ridge to the Polish War Memorial before returning to the summit. On the descent take in the lead mines on the slopes above the village of Buckden. Here the remains of an industry which dominated the valley 150 years ago.

Walk: Buckden, Hubberholme and Cray

A walk along the ancient roads and paths between Buckden, Hubberholme, Yockenthwaite, Cray and Buckden Rake. The Route what3words for start point: ///shielding.position.hunt Start Point: Buckden, Wharfedale Finish Point: Buckden, Wharfedale Distance: 7 Miles GPX Route Map buckden-hubberholme-crayDownload Walk Description A pleasant riverside path leads from Buckden to Hubberholme, famed from its wonderful old pub and ancient church, which was founded in the 12th Century as a chapel in the Norman hunting forest of Langstrothdale Chase, as the upper reaches of Wharfedale are known. Buckden began life as a village within this Norman hunting forest where the forest officials lived; this was the game preserve of the Earls of Northumberland. Hubberholme’s church, dedicated to St Michael and All Angels, boasts a wealth of interesting features in particular a very rare Rood Loft which was brought here from Coverham Abbey in 1558, one of only two in Yorkshire that escaped the Reformation and possibly the oldest in England.  From Hubberholme, a riverside path leads to Yockenthwaite, a name that stirs the imagination that is derived from the Old Norse ‘Eogan’s clearing’.   From Yockenthwaite a path climbs up above the valley through limestone meadows to reach Scar House, an old farmhouse that dates from 1698 although extensively restored in 1876. The present building stands on the site of a much older farmhouse. In 1652 George Fox, founder of the Quakers, visited Scar House and converted the farmer, after which the house was used as a Friends Meeting House by locals. It is now in the care of the National Trust. From Scar House, a wonderful path contours around the hillside, with magnificent views across Langstrothdale and upper Wharfedale, to reach the hamlet of Cray. Along the way, the path passes beneath a conspicuous knoll that is crowned by a large cairn. This is Cray Barrow, a Bronze Age burial mound for a local chieftain that dates back some 4,000 years. The hamlet of Cray is famed for its waterfalls as well as Wharfedale’s highest pub. The name of the hamlet is derived from the Celtic word meaning “fresh stream”, which is very apt for there is tumbling water all around.  The final section of this walk follows Buckden Rake, a superb track that heads across the lower flanks of Buckden Pike before dropping back down to Buckden. This track follows the course of the Roman road between the forts at Ilkley and Bainbridge via the lonely moorland of Stake Moss.  

Horsehead Moor and Deepdale Walk

This is a five and half mile walk up Horse Head Pass and along the remote moorland ridge, with magnificent views of the Three Peaks, returning along the beautiful River Wharfe. The remote moorland ridge and river environment is a haven for both woodland and river birds making it perfect for bird watching. The Route what3words for start point: ///bride.spenders.cherub Start Point: Yockenthwaite Bridge Finish Point: Yockenthwaite Bridge Distance: 6 Miles Getting there Yockenthwaite Bridge is between Oughtershaw and Hubberholme, and is easiest to reach from Buckden on the B6160. Take the Grassington road from the A59 near Skipton or the Bishopdale road from Aysgarth or West Burton in Wensleydale. GPX Route Map horsehead-moor-and-deepdaleDownload Walk Description Enjoy a five and half mile walk up Horse Head Pass and along the remote moorland ridge, with magnificent views of the Three Peaks, returning along the beautiful River Wharfe. The remote moorland ridge and river environment is a haven for both woodland and river birds making it perfect for bird watching. Starting at Yockenthwaite Bridge, you’ll follow the bridleway, signed to Halton Gill. The track zig-zags steeply uphill, across a large area of common land known as the Hagg. Continue along the route until you're greeted with magnificent views of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. Continue along the moorland ridge keeping an eye out for the mosaic of various vegetation types. The red-brown patches are mainly purple moor grass, which tends to grow on boulder clay or Millstone Grit, and the areas of green grasses mixed in with small flowers grow over limestone. Follow the footpath downhill towards Beckermonds with Greenfield Forest away to your left.  When you meet the River Wharfe,  turn right and follow the Dales Way footpath along the river towards Deepdale. Here the river flows through areas of limestone which are ideal for sitting on for a picnic, when the water levels are low. Venture along the route to Deepdale across the road bridge and turn right into the hamlet. A short way up the track, take the footpath on the right, where you will arrive back at Yockenthwaite. Lunch? If you want somewhere to go for lunch, the nearest food & drink are available at The George Inn, at Hubberholme.

Buckden Pike Circular Walk