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Family paddling in the river, Upper Wharfedale, Yorkshire Dales
Paddling in the River Wharfe | © National Trust Images / Ben Selway
Yorkshire

Buckden to Kettlewell walk

Discover views across the Yorkshire Dales on the easy Buckden to Kettlewell walk. Part of the mighty Dales Way footpath, this trail follows the River Wharfe as it winds its way through fields and farmland and between historic dry-stone walls. Wildlife fans can look out for kingfishers, trout and other animals in and on the water.

The Dales Way

This trail is part of the Dales Way, a long-distance footpath that stretches almost 80 miles (129km) from Cumbria to West Yorkshire.

Total steps: 5

Total steps: 5

Start point

Yorkshire Dales National Park car park Buckden, Skipton BD23 5JA. Grid ref: SD942773.

Step 1

From the car park, cross the road and head west down the village green towards the river. After crossing the bridge turn left through a wooden gate to join the Dales Way. Follow the path with the River Wharfe on your left. Continue through the fields up to a wooden gate.

Step 2

Go through the wooden gate and follow the path up to a farm track. Continue left along the farm track, passing an old barn on your right, until you come to a fork in the track.

Step 3

Turn left at the fork and continue to follow the Dales Way path through the fields heading south towards Kettlewell.

A dipper, which has chocolate-brown feathers on its back and a white breast, is perched on a lichen covered rock beside rippling water.
A dipper perched on a rock | © National Trust Images/Richard Bradshaw

Step 4

As you pass Starbotton on the opposite side of the river, continue on through the fields, passing through gaps in the dry-stone walls. Keep going, remembering to keep the river to your left, until you see Kettlewell County Primary School across the water. Carry on to follow the path through the fields and then uphill towards Kettlewell.

Step 5

Continue on this path, head through the gate and out onto the main road. Walk down the road to reach Kettlewell village centre. From here you can either retrace your steps or catch a bus back to the Buckden car park.

A bulbous yellow flower with bright green leaves in a hay meadow with slightly blurred red clover and white daisies in the background.
Yellow rattle | © National Trust Images/Nick Upton

End point

Kettlewell village centre, Skipton, BD23 5QX. Grid ref: SD969723.

Trail map

Map route for Buckden to Kettlewell easy stroll
Buckden to Kettlewell walk map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

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