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).
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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
- Most runners complete Buckden Pike from Buckden in 2 hours 35 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes, depending on pace and conditions.
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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Runner reports
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.
Routes nearby
Start from a town: Kettlewell 7.2 km · Horton-in-Ribblesdale 14.5 km · Hawes 14.7 km · Grassington 14.8 km
MODERATE
VERY HARD
EXPERT
VERY HARDRaces on this ground
All Yorkshire Dales races →Races starting within 20 km of the Buckden Pike from Buckden start, nearest first. If you are entered for one, this route is the rehearsal.
19
Jun
2027
provisional
Kettlewell (Skirfare) Trail Races
Hawkswick Cote car park field, Kettlewell, North Yorkshire · Due North Events · 5 miles away
Out of Hawkswick Cote into upper Wharfedale, with nine hundred metres of climb on the half.
HARD TO VERY HARD
Not open yet
24
Apr
2027
Three Peaks Race
Horton in Ribblesdale, North Yorkshire · Three Peaks Race · 9 miles away
Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough from Horton, as it has been since 1954.
Not open yet
17
Oct
2026
Ultra Tour of the Yorkshire Dales
Devonshire Institute, 48 Main Street, Grassington, North Yorkshire · Due North Events · 9 miles away
Grassington to Malham Tarn, Arncliffe and Wharfedale, with route choice between checkpoints.
VERY HARD TO EXPERT
Entries open
1
May
2027
Pennine Barrier Ultra 50
Malham, North Yorkshire · GB Ultras · 9 miles away
Fifty hard Dales miles out of Malham.
EXPERT
Entries open