For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

I had been looking forward to this walk for a few days and hoping that the weather would hold. We left home about 8:15am and arrived in Buckden around 9:45am on a fine sunny morning. We last did this walk, or at least part of it back in the mid 90's when after an ascent of Buckden Pike from Starbottom we descended to Cray to make our way to Scar House and Hubberholme to follow the Dales Way back to Starbottom. Today's route would be somewhat shorter and with less ascent but still as delightful as we remembered it.

Route Map

The path starts at the north end of the car park at Buckden and passes through Rakes Wood along Buckden Rake.

Looking over to where we shall be walking later. Our path will contour around the fellside just above the tree line.

Across the valley Birks Fell and Firth Fell. In days of better health we once did these as a return route to Kettlewell after doing Cam Head and Buckden Pike.

Looking into the valley of Langstrothdale. The valley originally contained a series of Viking farms, but after the Norman Conquest it became a hunting preserve – Langstrothdale Chase.

Some welcome shade although short-lived in Rake Wood.

Getting higher and a better view of Langstrothdale as we follow the Rake.

A parting of the ways....Our path goes to the left and the one going right and up is the popular path to Buckden Pike.

There's even a door-person to help you pass through

This walk is one of Whargedales finest and the paths are well trodden but because there are no steep gradients retain there green cover.

Looking down towards Cray hidden behind the trees....

....and towards where we are heading.

Cray

This is where we leave the bridleway to descend to Cray. The bridleway continues for a while before joining the road to Bishopdale at Cray High Bridge.

The stepping stones seemed hard necessary today as all the becks are very low.

The White Lion at Cray. Described by Wainwright as a "tiny oasis" it is a 17th Century Drovers Inn. Our path goes around the back.

Out in the open now and it's a glorious day.

Edith in her Dr Doolittle role had little success with this beast.

One of the many barns that seem to litter the Yorkshire Dales.

A short descent to Crook Gill.

The footbridge over Crook Gill which was virtually dry today.

Through a gap in the trees and into the sun, a look down Wharfedale.

Passing above Scar House. This traditional Yorkshire stone-built farmhouse is over 300 years old and stands on the hillside above Hubberholme, with wonderful views of Upper Wharfedale. The house retains many interesting and original features including stone-flagged floors and a inglenook fireplace. It is owned and let by the National Trust as a holiday cottage. It is possible to descend here to Hubberholme but we will carry on a while.
 

Our path passes through this gate. The first section is across a section of limestone pavement marked by yellow topped marker poles.

A delightful path through Rais Wood.....

.....then out into the open again with views into Langstrothdale.

Looking across the valley to Raisgill and Hag Beck with Horse Head Moor behind.

We stopped near here for a bite to eat before descending to Yockenthwaite.

Yockenthwaite ahead as we start to descend.

The bridge at Yockenthwaite over the River Wharfe.

From Yockenthwaite our return will be along the Dales Way.

Thirsty sheep in a very low River Wharfe.

Easy walking all the way.....even I can manage this.

Approaching Hubberholme.

The church of St Michael & All Angel at Hubberholme is perhaps most well known as being the resting place of the ashes of the writer and playwright J. B. Priestly. It was originally a forest chapel from the 12th century. It was originally dedicated to the Northumbrian, Saint Oswald.

The  present church is famous for its rood loft, one of only two surviving in Yorkshire, which is thought to have come from Coverham Priory in 1558. The choir stall and pews were made by  Thompson of Kilburn in 1934 - and several of his carved mice can be seen.

The River Wharfe from Hubberholme Bridge.

The George Inn at Hubberholme -  The pub was originally constructed as a farmstead in the 1600's and was once used as the vicarage. When the vicar was at home he would put a lighted candle in the window as a signal to his parishioners. This tradition is carried on today with a candle lit whenever the bar is open. The candle is also used in the annual land-letting auction known as the Hubberholme Parliament and is held on the first Monday night of the year in a tradition dating back centuries. The local farmers gather to bid for 16 acres of pastureland owned by the church, the proceedings of which go to help the poor people of the parish. The vicar oversees the proceedings and sits in the House of Lords ( dining room ) while the bidding takes place in the House of Commons ( the bar ). The highest bid made when the candle flickers out wins the auction.

From Hubberholme there is a short section of roadwalking.

Back off the road now and the final leg back to Buckden which is hidden behind the trees.

Still waters.

Buckden comes into view with Buckden Beck to its left.

A glorious afternoon at Buckden.

And finally....back to the car park which surprisingly was rather quiet.

Next Walk:    3rd September 2010 - Lake District - Lingmoor from Blea Tarn

Last Walk:    31st August 2010 - South Cumbria - A Crooklands walkabout

Back to Walks Index

Home

Do you have a Facebook or Twitter account. We post regular updates on both. Just click on either of the links below.

We hope you have enjoyed viewing this walk. If you have any comments please sign our Guestbook or E_Mail us.

Argos UK Shopping