Circular walk from Buckden on to Yockenthwaite to Cray and back to Buckden in Wharfedale

On an absolutely perfect autumn day we set off from Buckden to walk to Yockenthwaite over to Cray and back down to Buckden. About seven miles, couple of short steep climbs but otherwise quite easy going with terrific views for most of the way. Do take a while though stop and stare if the weather permits. As always plan your route, take drinks and snacks and wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

We parked in the Yorkshire Dales National Park car park in Buckden and walked in the direction of Hubberholme. Make your way down the hill from Buckden, over the bridge and the River Wharfe and after a few yards pick up the Dales Way footpath on your right. Through the gate and follow a well walked footpath to come out onto the road again a little way from Hubberholme. Follow the road and just at the pub turn to go over the bridge, then past the church, into the farm yard, through the metal gate and start to go up hill again all the time following the Dales Way. At the fork in the track take the lower path signposted Dales Way FP Yockenthwaite. Follow along here until you come to Yockenthwaite. You may now recognise the farm on the right here from the new series of All Creatures Great and Small!

At the farm look to your right to find a three way finger post to the left of the house and follow the way to Cray 3 miles up quite a steep bank. Follow on until you come to another finger post off to the right, leaving the track, through a stile gate, in a more or less south easterly direction. The path is well defined, just keep going, quite steep in places and a little stony but quite passable. When you come to a wood in front of you, look out for the gated stile on your right which will take you through to a little bridge and then into the wood. Again keep going, all well walked and marked until you come to Scar House and again a three way finger post and again follow the way to Cray past a sprinkling of clints and grykes in the bare limestone to eventually come out at the White Lion pub.

Cross over the water here, there are stepping stones, and again follow the footpath signs up the hill to pick up the Pennine Way turning right on to Buckden Rake and follow the way down to Buckden and the car park.

We’d been looking forward to our lunch at the White Lion at Cray and we weren’t disappointed either, always quite special there!

Stay in one of our cottages and walk this route. Check availability on our website or call me Nadine or my daughter Joanne on 01969 663559 for friendly help and advice.