🥾 Walking route
Upper Wharfdale Ranger Run, Upper Wharfdale
North Yorkshire
- 📏 8.1 km · 5 mi
- ⛰ +301 m
- ⏱ 2 hr 15 min
- 🐕 On lead
Walk stats
- Distance8.1 km · 5 mi
- Elevation+301 m
- Duration2 hr 15 min
- DifficultyModerate
- Route typeLinear
- TerrainRiverside paths, field tracks and a steady fellside climb
- Best seasonLate spring to early autumn
- DogsDog friendly on leads; livestock and open fell
About this walk
This linear route through Upper Wharfedale links three of the dale's most characterful hamlets, climbing gently between river meadows and open fellside. Starting at Hubberholme, tucked beside the young River Wharfe, the path follows the valley downstream to Buckden, a stone-built village set beneath the bulk of Buckden Pike.
From Buckden the route swings north into the quieter side valley of Cray Gill, gaining most of the day's 301 metres of ascent on the climb up to Cray itself. The reward is wide views back across Upper Wharfedale, with patchwork fields, drystone walls and the surrounding fells stretching away on either side.
At roughly 8.1 km with a moderate grading, the walk suits a half-day outing of around two and a quarter hours. Keep an eye out for the Salt Pie nearby, a small landmark that adds interest to the upper section of the route before you finish in Cray.
Route map
Route line drawn from OpenStreetMap footpath data. Numbered markers are waypoints on the route; amber star markers are points of interest a short detour away.
Waypoints along the route
8 waypoints along the way
- 1
Hubberholme Bridge
- 2
Buckden Bridge
- 3
Rakes Wood
- 4
Cray Cow Close
- 5
Cray
- 6
Todd's Wood
- 7
Hubberholme Wood
- 8
Rais Wood
Worth a short detour
Points of interest just off the route, look for the amber markers on the map.
High Close Barn
~231 m off the route
old sandstone quarry
~236 m off the route
Salt Pie
~266 m off the route
Jackey Lathe
~328 m off the route
Low Barn
~334 m off the route
Route & waypoint data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).