The Grey Panthers

11.5 miles

Explorer Map OL30, - Yorkshire Dales, Northern & Central Areas.

Choose a fine day and you can't go wrong with this walk.
The walk starts by affording superb views of Upper Wharfedale from above Buckden and Hubberholme, before descending at Yockenthwaite to complete the rest of the walk beside the River Wharfe.
There is a reasonable, but gentle, ascent out of Bucken at the start of the walk. This is then followed by a reasonably steep descent into Cray, where limestone rocks can be a bit tricky if wet. Apart from this, the rest of the walk is all easy going.
Navigation is straightforward, and presents no difficulty.
The only note of caution is that in wet weather the beck at Cray has been known to run very full, so that using the stepping stones is mot an option.

For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory Map)

Some new mapping software is now available which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers website, - just use QUO!!

Start from the cra park in Buckden, - fee to pay. (SD94248 77398).
Head North along the signposted footpath out of the car park. Initially this is a broad track, heading uphill.
The footpath becomes a grassy track once you are on top of the hill. Continue for about 1/2 mile until you come to a finger post showing the footpath down to Cray. The hamlet is almost directly beneath you (to the West) at this point.
The descent towards Cray on the footpath is quite steep, and needs a bit of care.
Cross the Cray Gill by the stepping stones.
The footpath to Yockenthwaite passes behind the pub on the other side of the road.
The footpath is very clear and well signposted.
Descend to the hamlet of Yockenthwaite and head for the bridge. Before you reach the bridge, take the finger posted footpath that heads North Westwards through a farm gate. The footpath runs beside the River Wharfe for much of the way before reaching the hamlet of Deepdale.
At Deepdale, don't cross the river but continue along the minor road to Beckermonds (in Summer there is a moderate amount of tourist traffic on this road).
In Beckermonds, cross the River Wharfe to take to grassy footpath back to Deepdale.
Continue along the road to Yockenthwaite.
Cross the river by the bridge at Yockenthwaite, then take the clear grassy footpath to Hubberholme.
At Hubberholme, cross the river to the road by the "George" inn. Continue along this road for about 1/4 mile until the Dales Way to Buckden is clearly indicated on your left.