Buckden Pike facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buckden Pike |
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The hill from Tor Mere Top, a mile to the south.
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 702 m (2,303 ft) |
| Prominence | 207 m (679 ft) |
| Parent peak | Great Whernside |
| Listing | Hewitt, Marilyn |
| Geography | |
 Buckden Pike
Location in Yorkshire Dales
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| OS grid | SD961787 |
| Topo map | OS Outdoor Leisure 30 |
Buckden Pike is a cool mountain, or fell, located in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales in England. It stands proudly at the very top of Wharfedale, a lovely valley, and looks down on the village of Buckden.
This mountain is 702 metres (2,303 ft) tall. It's almost the highest peak in the area, but its neighbour, Great Whernside, is just a tiny bit taller at 704 metres. At the very top of Buckden Pike, you'll find a special marker called a trig point.
Contents
Exploring the Mountain: Paths to the Top
Buckden Pike offers a few different ways to reach its summit. You can choose a path that suits how much adventure you're looking for!
Easy and Short Routes
One of the easiest and shortest ways to climb Buckden Pike starts from Buckden village. This path is called a bridleway. Be warned though, it can be quite steep and sometimes a bit muddy, especially after rain. So, it's not the best choice if you're planning to cycle or ride a horse.
Another path follows a stream called Buckden Beck. This route takes you past the old Buckden Lead Mine, which is no longer used. From there, you can join a special footpath that leads straight to the top.
Longer and More Challenging Walks
If you're up for a bigger challenge, you can try a longer circular walk. This route takes you from Buckden up Buckden Pike, then across to Great Whernside, and finally down to the village of Kettlewell.
You can start this adventure from either the car park in Buckden or Kettlewell. Many walkers like to finish their day by walking along the River Wharfe. This part of the journey is much flatter and easier, and it's even part of a famous long-distance path called the Dales Way.
A Special Memorial: Remembering the Past
Just south of the summit of Buckden Pike, there's a special memorial cross. This cross remembers five brave Polish airmen. They were part of the Polish Air Force and were training when their plane, a Wellington Bomber, crashed here on January 30, 1942.
Amazingly, one person survived the crash: Jozef "Joe" Fusniak. Years later, with help from local people, Joe built this memorial. It was finished on August 8, 1973, as a way to honour his friends. Joe Fusniak passed away in July 2017.
Amazing Views from the Summit
When you reach the top of Buckden Pike, you'll be treated to incredible views! The best views stretch out to the East and West.
Looking East, you can see a long ridge of hills, including Little Whernside, leading up to Great Whernside, which is the highest peak in Wharfedale. To the West, you can gaze into the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. You might even spot famous mountains like The Yorkshire Three Peaks, as well as closer hills like Firth Fell and Yockenthwaite Moor.
Near the summit, there's also a tall wooden pole standing upright. It has several large holes that point towards different views. This pole used to have information cards telling you what you were looking at, but they are no longer there.
The Buckden Pike Fell Race: A Mountain Challenge
Every year, Buckden Pike hosts an exciting event called the Buckden Pike Fell Race. This race happens on the third Saturday in June, at the same time as the Buckden village gala.
The very first race was held in 1981, and the course was designed by Peter Jebb. In 1987, Peter made the course even tougher and more interesting, and it has stayed the same ever since. This challenging course has made the Buckden Pike Fell Race a classic event for fell runners, and it's often chosen as an English championship race.
The fastest time ever recorded for the men's race is held by Colin Donnelly. He completed the course in an amazing 30 minutes and 51 seconds in 1988. For the women's race, the record belongs to Carol Greenwood, who finished in 36 minutes and 32 seconds in 1993.
