Bucken Circular - Up and Over & Return
A moderate walk (low hills and fells (below 600m)) in national park Yorkshire Dales in North Yorkshire, England, about 16.90km (10.50 mi) long with an estimated walking time of about 6:45h. It is unsuitable for families with children, prams & pushchairs, wheelchairs.
Elevation Profile
Ascent
691m (2267ft)
Descent
686m (2250ft)
Max. Elevation
610m (2001ft)
Altitude Gain & Loss
1377m (4517ft)
Start & End
Buckden (Yorkshire)
Distance
16.90km
(10.5mi)
(10.5mi)
Duration
~6:45h
Difficulty
Moderate
2Created by mac.hawk on 06 Dec 2015
A 12 mile circular walk from Buckden that includes two steep ascents and descents. Fairly tough x2 up/down day walk but routes are clear & easy to follow. Lovely village pubs in Litton & Arncliffe.
Buckden is served by 72 & 72R buses from Skipton & Ilkley (Mon to Sat) and Dales bus from Wakefield/Leeds on Sundays. Toilets, pub, tea rooms in Buckden.
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Buckden Circular
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- $walk->POI array(0)
Waypoints
OS Grid SD942773
Exit the car park/bus stop onto the main road and take the minor road that is Dubb's Lane over the River Wharfe for 1/2 a mile to reach a wayposted bridleway on the left heading to Redmire.
OS Grid SD935774
Follow the wide track as it winds quite steeply up Birks Fell for approx 2 miles. At the summit plateau cross a wall to shortly reach a second wall.
About 0.66 km (~0.41 miles) from 
OS Grid SD924749
At the wall the trig pillar is a little away on the left, tig the trig if that's your sort of thing and return to cross the wall ahead and follow the bridleway downhill towards Litton.
About 2.72 km (~1.69 miles) from 
OS Grid SD917740
Near the bottom of Ackerley Moor the path leaves the wall at right briefly before veering sharply right through fields to reach Litton.
About 1.19 km (~0.74 miles) from 
OS Grid SD906740
From Litton you turn left (east) and either follow the road or take one of the riverside footpaths for 2 1/2 miles into Arncliffe.
About 1.04 km (~0.65 miles) from 
OS Grid SD928719
Assuming you've followed the river (not the road) where you meet the tarmac road near the village carry on directly ahead. Reach the village green just beyond which note an old water pump.
About 3.05 km (~1.9 miles) from 
OS Grid SD931718
At the old water pump turn left down a very narrow road. At the junction follow the road as it crosses the river with the churchyard on the right. Continue to the road T-junction & turn left briefly.
About 0.30 km (~0.19 miles) from 
OS Grid SD929721
At Old Cotes Farm (at right) follow the wayposted bridleway through the farm and along the track that rises the hill heading diagonally right.
About 0.40 km (~0.25 miles) from 
OS Grid SD933724
It's a stiff climb along the bridleway up Brayshaw Scar after which the route heads diagonally right over Old Cote Moor, continually rising.
About 0.45 km (~0.28 miles) from 
OS Grid SD944729
The route crosses a wide field before crossing a wall then descending, initially following the wall ahead, to reach a bridleway T junction.
About 1.16 km (~0.72 miles) from 
OS Grid SD950735
Right heads to Kettlewell, left to Starbotton. Take the left option to descend through woodland, then a number of short fields to reach the River Wharfe.
About 0.84 km (~0.52 miles) from 
OS Grid SD950744
At the river turn left and follow the Dales Way footpath for 2 1/2 miles back towards Buckden. The path initially follows the riverbank, then wanders away from it, to rejoin it after a mile or so.
About 0.91 km (~0.57 miles) from 
OS Grid SD939772
Exit the river bank at Dubb's Lane and turn right to return to the car park/bus stop.
About 3.02 km (~1.88 miles) from 
Buckden (2)OS Grid SD942772
Walk is approx 12 miles long.
About 0.31 km (~0.19 miles) from 
1 comment... join the discussion!
mac.hawk
NYCC cuts in subsidies for public transport will result in changes to the 72 & 72R services from April 2016. It is currently looking like a Skipton-Grassington service will continue Mon-Sat. Services from Ilkley to Grassington, along with all services from Grassington to Kettlewell/Buckden being on a demand responsive basis. See http://www.friendsofdalesbus.org.uk/#/latest-news/4590022137/North-Yorkshire-Bus-Subsidy-Cut-Proposals/10205989 for details.