Old Cote Moor from Kettlewell trail
Explore the exposed ridge between Wharfedale and Littondale on this challenging hilly trail. This circular walk starts by climbing up over rocky terraces to the Old Cote Moor summit, where views across the Yorkshire Dales open up on either side. Heading back down into the valley, the route then follows the winding River Wharfe. Keep your eyes out for otters, kingfishers, and other water wildlife on the riverside.
Near to
Yorkshire DalesStart point
Yorkshire Dales National Park car park, Kettlewell, Skipton, BD23 5QZ. Grid ref: SD968723.Trail information
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Yorkshire Dales National Park car park, Kettlewell, Skipton, BD23 5QZ. Grid ref: SD968723.
Stage 1
Turn right out of the car park and cross the bridge leading away from the village.
Stage 2
Immediately after the bridge, turn right and follow the stony track heading upwards and through a gate. Soon after, leave the track via the footpath on the left, signposted to Arncliffe. Follow the path as it heads steeply uphill and through a nick in the crags. Take care here as it can be slippery when wet. Then continue in the same direction, level at first, then uphill again.
Views of the valley towards Buckden | © National Trust Stage 3
You will reach a ladder stile in a wall. Climb over the stile and continue in the same direction uphill through a low rocky terrace until you reach another ladder stile. Ignore this and instead turn right, keeping the wall on your left. You're now on the Old Cote Moor summit ridge. The path gradually climbs, levelling off as you reach the ridge plateau.
Stage 4
Cross the ladder stile in the wall and continue in the same north-west direction along the ridge with the wall on your left.
Stage 5
Head away from the wall and walk to the summit trig point.
Stage 6
Continue past the trig point for about 300m to reach a stone-flagged bridleway. Turn right and follow this bridleway down the hill towards Buckden, which soon comes into view in the valley below.
Stage 7
Follow the bridleway until you reach some sheep pens, then follow the winding track downhill until you reach the road, Dubb's Lane. Turn right here and walk along the road until you reach Buckden Bridge. Just before the bridge turn right through a gate and onto the riverside footpath, following the Dales Way.
Otters on the riverside | © National Trust Images/John Hubble Stage 8
Follow the footpath as it leads away from the river bank onto a farm track. Turn left and follow the track.
Stage 9
The footpath continues across fields and then joins the riverside with Starbotton over the river on your left.
Stage 10
Pass the bridge to Starbotton on your left (don't cross it) and continue towards Kettlewell as the path makes its way through hay meadows with the river on the left.
Stage 11
Head uphill towards Kettlewell, through the gate and out onto the main road by Kettlewell Bridge again. Turn left to cross the bridge, and return to the car park and the end of the trail.
End point
Yorkshire Dales National Park car park, Kettlewell, Skipton, BD23 5QZ. Grid ref: SD968723.
Trail map
Old Cote Moor from Kettlewell trail map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
Buckden to Starbotton hillside and river walk
Discover a 5-mile circular walk on the fellside at the National Trust's Buckden and Starbottom including a return along the River Wharfe path.
Buckden to Kettlewell walk
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Round Howe and Billy Bank Woods trail
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Watersinks to Malham Tarn easy stroll
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Malham Tarn Estate Office, North Wing, Malham Tarn House, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 9PU
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