Buckden Pike and the Polish Memorial
This strenuous walk climbs to the top of Buckden Pike, heads along the ridge passing the Polish War Memorial and back down into Starbotton returning along the riverside.
Map
Start:
Buckden car park, grid ref: SD943774
1
Leave Buckden through the bridleway gate at the top of the car park leading away from the village. When you reach a metal gate, turn right and continue up the bridleway. Go through another wooden gate, and follow the path uphill through several open gateways in the drystone walls until you reach another wooden gate.
The views up Langstrothdale change as you follow this walk, with Hubberholme and its church coming into view first then higher up the Three Peaks become visible
2
Go through the gate and continue along the surfaced route, constructed to prevent damage to the fragile peat moorland, until you reach a steeper stone-pitched path. Follow this to the summit trig point at 702m.
Buckden Pike
Buckden Pike is a fell at the head of Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales. At 702m it narrowly misses out on being the highest peak in the area; that title instead goes to nearby Great Whernside at 704m. The views from the summit are marvellous, stretching from the Lake District in the far west to the North York Moors in the distant east. Nearer by are the fells surrounding the head of Wharfedale - Yockenthwaite Moor, Old Cote Moor and Horsehead Moor.
3
Do not cross the wall but continue along the wide moorland ridge, crossing a stile and keeping the wall on your left. The moorland here is important blanket bog and we are creating a path with old mill flagstones. This will protect the delicate peat from erosion. At the south end of the ridge cross the ladder stile that leads to the Polish Airmen's memorial.
Polish War Memorial
The cross is a memorial to five Polish airmen who died when their Wellington Bomber crashed on Buckden Pike during a snowstorm in 1942. The sixth crew member survived with only a broken ankle. Following the footprints of a fox in the snow he managed to crawl to the safety of the village of Cray. The survivor organised the building of the cross in 1973. In the memorial base is the sculpture of a foxes head.
4
Walk downhill from the memorial, this time keeping the wall on your right. Take care as the peat is badly eroded and there are many gullies known as hags. When your reach a gate in the wall turn right and go through it. Follow the old Walden Road 2 miles (3.2km) downhill to Starbotton.
5
At Starbotton cross the road and follow the walled lane that leads down to the river. Cross the bridge over the River Wharfe and turn right. Follow the Dales Way footpath along the riverside back to Buckden. At the road go through the gate, turn right and take care as you cross the bridge and head back up the road towards the village and the car park.
River Wharfe
The clean water of the River Wharfe is a source of food for many birds. Look out for Kingfisher, Goosander, Oystercatcher, Heron, Dipper and Sand Martin. You may also see Brown Trout swimming lazily in the calmer sections of the river, or a glimpse of an otter if you are really lucky.
End:
Buckden car park, grid ref: SD943774
