Old Cote Moor from Kettlewell trail
Explore the exposed ridge between Wharfdale 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.
Total steps: 11
Total steps: 11
Start point
Yorkshire Dales National Park car park, Kettlewell, Skipton, BD23 5QZ. Grid ref: SD968723.
Step 1
Turn right out of the car park and cross the bridge leading away from the village.
Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 5
Follow the footpath as it takes an abrupt left turn following another wall on your left, which eventually turns right. Keep walking in a north-west direction until you find the summit trig point. Continue past the trig point for about 300m to reach a stone-flagged bridleway on the right.
Step 6
Turn right and follow this bridleway down the hill towards Buckden, which soon comes into view in the valley below. After reaching some sheep pens, follow the winding track downhill past some woodland until you reach a stony track.
Step 7
Follow the winding stony track to 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, the Dales Way. Follow the path with the River Wharfe on your left. Continue through the fields up to a wooden gate.
Step 8
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. Turn left at the fork and continue to follow the Dales Way path through the fields heading south-east towards Kettlewell.
Step 9
Continue along the path as it joins the riverside, with Starbotton on the other side of the river.
Step 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.
Step 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
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
Explore the Yorkshire Dales and spot kingfishers and other water wildlife on this easy linear walk, which follows the River Wharfe through fields, farmland, and along historic dry-stone walls.
Round Howe and Billy Bank Woods trail
Enjoy picnics and playtime on this family-friendly circular trail, which runs along the River Swale in the Yorkshire Dales, with views of Richmond and historic woodland.
Watersinks to Malham Tarn easy stroll
A short linear walk along the scenic shores of Malham Tarn, a beautiful and internationally important wetland site.
Get in touch
Malham Tarn Estate Office, North Wing, Malham Tarn House, Settle, North Yorkshire, BD24 9PU
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
You might also be interested in
Walking
Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.
Walking in Yorkshire
Discover some of the best walks in Yorkshire, from rugged Pennine beauty spots to parkland and meadows perfect for a family stroll.
Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner
Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.
Staying safe at National Trust places
The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.
Follow the Countryside Code
Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.
Outdoor activities in the Yorkshire Dales
Discover the best walking, running and cycling routes around the Yorkshire Dales.
Visiting the Yorkshire Dales with your dog
The Yorkshire Dales is very dog friendly, and with miles of footpaths to explore, trees to sniff and grass to roll in, your four-legged friend should have a great day.
Things to look out for in the Yorkshire Dales
Discover the Yorkshire Dales with their rolling countryside, steep-sided valleys, heather-covered moorland and a patchwork of dry stone walls and barns.