Buckden Pike from Buckden
A steep climb rewards you with one of the best viewpoints in the southern Dales — Wharfedale laid out below in both directions.
Effort: Good distance, solid climb
Underfoot: Some uneven or off-path ground
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Mostly on runnable ground, but most runners still walk the steepest climbs.
A satisfying out-and-back or circular to Buckden Pike at 702m, with a Polish war memorial at the summit and outstanding views down Wharfedale.
A steep climb rewards you with one of the best viewpoints in the southern Dales — Wharfedale laid out below in both directions.
The route
From the National Trust car park in Buckden village, a clear path heads north-east through woodland before gaining the open fell. The route follows the ridge north to the summit, where a white cross marks the crash site of a Wellington bomber in 1942 — the Polish crew memorial is worth a moment.
The summit
At 702m, Buckden Pike is the second-highest point in the Yorkshire Dales south of the A684. The views down Upper Wharfedale towards Kettlewell and south towards Grassington are exceptional on a clear day.
Return options
Return the same way, or descend west to Starbotton for a valley loop back to Buckden via the riverside path (add 3km).
Summit can be misty and exposed. The ridge path can be boggy after rain.
Summits on this route
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
Run by us· last checked July 2026
Jason Millward has run this route and written it up from the ground. How we check routes
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Nobody's logged a run here yet. If you get out on it, a few lines about how it went helps the next person plan their day.
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