Buckden up Buckden Pike: route map, distance and time
702 m · Yorkshire Dales
Buckden Pike is a broad peaty fell above Buckden in Upper Wharfedale, climbed for its summit cross memorial and views across the Yorkshire Dales.
You climb from the village on grassy paths and tracks to the ridge, then follow the wall to the summit trig point.
Buckden at a glance
| Distance | 2.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 464 m |
| Time up | 1h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Buckden village car park |
| Start grid reference | SD 942 771 |
| Summit grid reference | SD 960 787 |
Buckden map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- The Buck Inn0.1 km
- The George Inn1.9 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Public toilets1.9 km
- Buckden Camping & Pods0.1 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Buckden takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 5m | 1h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 1h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 20m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:01, sunset 16:42. Start by 13:47 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:03, sunset 16:40. Start by 13:45 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Buckden Pike summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Wednesday 28 October
Moderate rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 39 mph gusting 49 mph, 100% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:01, sunset 16:42.
-
Good Tomorrow Thursday 29 October
Mostly dry, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 4°C, summit wind 23 mph gusting 28 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:03, sunset 16:40.
Best day of the next seven for Buckden: Tuesday 3 November, with summit gusts around 11 mph and a 10% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Buckden Pike forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Buckden Pike?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -2°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 100% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 49 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Buckden Pike
Buckden Pike is a broad peaty fell above Buckden in Upper Wharfedale, climbed for its summit cross memorial and views across the Yorkshire Dales. More about Buckden Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn.
Challenges that include Buckden Pike
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SD 942 771, the summit at SD 960 787), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Buckden: questions and answers
How far is Buckden?
Buckden is 2.8 km one way to the summit of Buckden Pike, with 464 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 5.6 km.
How long does Buckden take?
About 1h 20m to the summit of Buckden Pike and 1h 55m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 20m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Buckden?
Buckden starts from Buckden village car park. The grid reference is SD 942 771.
Is Buckden suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Buckden today?
By 13:47 at the latest. Sunset on Buckden Pike today is 16:42, Buckden takes about 1h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Buckden?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).