Buckden Pike
Encyclopedia
Buckden Pike is a mountain at the head of Wharfedale
, a valley in the Yorkshire Dales
, that stands above the village of Buckden
. At 702 metres (2,303.1 ft), it narrowly misses out on being the highest peak in the area, the title instead going to nearby Great Whernside
(704 metres). The summit is marked by a trig point.
, Ingleborough
and Pen-y-ghent
- Buckden Pike is less frequented by walkers, possibly because of its location on the edge of the National Park. Nevertheless, it is still a popular objective for fellwalkers. Perhaps the easiest and shortest route up the mountain is a bridleway from Buckden, although this is steep and boggy in parts, and therefore somewhat unsuitable for cyclists and those on horseback.
Another route, on Access Land, follows Buckden Beck as far as the disused Buckden Lead Mine, then joins a Permitted Footpath to the summit.
A longer and more challenging walk is one that includes Buckden Pike and nearby Great Whernside, which would typically start/finish (and vice versa) at Kettlewell or Buckden, and could be made into a circular walk by returning to the starting village on the Dales Way
alongside the River Wharfe
.
, as well as closer peaks such as Firth Fell and Yockenthwaite Moor. To be found close to the summit is a large wooden pole, standing vertically; it has a number of large holes focused on different views and is labelled with information cards.
Wharfedale
Wharfedale is one of the Yorkshire Dales in England. It is the valley of the River Wharfe. Towns and villages in Wharfedale include Buckden, Kettlewell, Conistone, Grassington, Hebden, Ilkley, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Otley, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Arthington, Collingham, and Wetherby...
, a valley in the Yorkshire Dales
Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales is the name given to an upland area in Northern England.The area lies within the historic county boundaries of Yorkshire, though it spans the ceremonial counties of North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Cumbria...
, that stands above the village of Buckden
Buckden, North Yorkshire
Buckden is a village and civil parish in the Craven district of North Yorkshire, England.Buckden is situated in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, on the River Wharfe in Wharfedale. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 184. It is situated where Buckden Gill, which rises on Buckden...
. At 702 metres (2,303.1 ft), it narrowly misses out on being the highest peak in the area, the title instead going to nearby Great Whernside
Great Whernside
Great Whernside is a mountain in the Yorkshire Dales, England, not to be confused with the better known Whernside, some to the west. Its summit is the highest point of the eastern flank of Wharfedale above Kettlewell...
(704 metres). The summit is marked by a trig point.
Routes of ascent
Unlike other nearby mountains, such as the ever popular Yorkshire Three Peaks - WhernsideWhernside
Whernside is a mountain in the Yorkshire Dales and is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, the other two being Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent. It is the highest point in the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire,Mickle Fell in southern Teesdale is the highest point within the boundaries of the historic...
, Ingleborough
Ingleborough
Ingleborough is the second highest mountain in the Yorkshire Dales. It is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, the other two being Whernside and Pen-y-ghent. Ingleborough is frequently climbed as part of the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, which is a 24-mile circular challenge walk starting and...
and Pen-y-ghent
Pen-y-ghent
Pen-y-ghent is a fell in the Yorkshire Dales. It is one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, the other two being Ingleborough and Whernside. It lies some 3 km east of Horton in Ribblesdale...
- Buckden Pike is less frequented by walkers, possibly because of its location on the edge of the National Park. Nevertheless, it is still a popular objective for fellwalkers. Perhaps the easiest and shortest route up the mountain is a bridleway from Buckden, although this is steep and boggy in parts, and therefore somewhat unsuitable for cyclists and those on horseback.
Another route, on Access Land, follows Buckden Beck as far as the disused Buckden Lead Mine, then joins a Permitted Footpath to the summit.
A longer and more challenging walk is one that includes Buckden Pike and nearby Great Whernside, which would typically start/finish (and vice versa) at Kettlewell or Buckden, and could be made into a circular walk by returning to the starting village on the Dales Way
Dales Way
The Dales Way is an 84-mile Long Distance Footpath in Northern England, from Ilkley, West Yorkshire to Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria....
alongside the River Wharfe
River Wharfe
The River Wharfe is a river in Yorkshire, England. For much of its length it is the county boundary between West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. The name Wharfe is Celtic and means "twisting, winding".The valley of the River Wharfe is known as Wharfedale...
.
Buckden Pike Memorial Cross
To the south of the summit is a memorial cross, dedicated to the memory of five Polish airmen of the Royal Air Force who crashed their Wellington Bomber on 30 January 1942. The memorial was created by, with help from various locals, the sole survivor of the crash Jozef "Joe" Fusniak, and completed on 8 August 1973. Read more at: www.buckdenpike.co.ukThe view
The views from the summit can be described as some of the finest in the area, especially as the summit is often deserted. The most extensive are to the East and West. To the East is the ridge running from Little Whernside to the summit of Wharfedale's highest peak, Great Whernside. To the West are views into the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, including mountains such as The Yorkshire Three PeaksYorkshire three peaks
The mountains of Whernside , Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent are collectively known as the Three Peaks. The peaks, which form part of the...
, as well as closer peaks such as Firth Fell and Yockenthwaite Moor. To be found close to the summit is a large wooden pole, standing vertically; it has a number of large holes focused on different views and is labelled with information cards.