Aysgarth to Kettlewell (via Buckden Pike Memorial)

*** To help you follow the route with confidence we have provided a general overview below of the Aysgarth to Kettlewell (Via Buckden Pike Memorial) route to keep you on track. There are sections of this walk where the path becomes indistinct - it is essential you follow the GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure smartphone app to ensure you have a safe, enjoyable and problem-free day.  The daily maps can also be printed from the web version of the app should you wish to take paper copies with you. ***

NOTE:  if you overnighted in a nearby village with return taxi transfers, instead of staying in Aysgarth itself (likely due to availability issues) then your return taxi transfer will drop you off at West Burton Village Green - you can skip Stage 1 below and move straight onto Stage 2, 

Stage 1 (Aysgarth Falls Hotel to West Burton Village Shop) - 0.0 to 2.1km: Leaving the Aysgarth Falls Hotel (with your back to it), turn left and walk down the pavement that skirts the main A684. After around 150 metres you'll see a driveway to a house on the right, just beyond it, turn right over the wall stile signposted for "Eshington Bridge". Follow the faded green track through the open fields all the way down to the bridge itself (you can't go wrong here as it's well signposted the entire way (if any doubt just check the red line on the Macs App). At the bridge, cross over and around 50 metres on your right, turn right through the hole in the drywall and follow the track signed for "West Burton". Again. follow the obvious but faded path through the open fields with Bishopdale Beck on your right. The path eventually swings left and heads past some farm buildings and out onto a paved B road. Cross the road and follow the path on the opposite side into the village of West Burton.

Stage 2 (West Burton Village Shop to Walden Head) - 2.1 to 9.2km: From West Burton's Village Shop, stay on the road known as "Back Nook" that skirts the village green with a memorial in the middle of it. Pass the island of houses and take the road that swings left out the village (signed for "Walden Only"). The road (known as "Dame Lane") begins to head uphill, follow it until you reach a fork on the road at the 2.6 kilometre mark. At this fork Bear right onto Temple Lane, the road signed for "Walden North Only". From here it's a matter of following this paved country road for around 7 kilometers to Walden Head where the ascent to the Buckden Pike memorial begins. (Unfortunately, a lot of the connecting trail paths around this area are now privately owned -  we've kept it on the road so our customers don't have to deal with any awkward confrontations from angry farmers or caravan owners). Ensure you stay on the paved road passing multiple farm buildings on your left and right. There is a waymarker on the Macs App at the end of this stage that has important information regarding the next stage. Please ensure you read it.

Stage 3 (Walden Head to Buckden Pike Memorial turn off) - 9.2 to 13.6km: This section follows an old Packhorse track (Known as Walden Road) that takes you over a high pass, via wild open moorland to Starbotton on the other side - the path here can become very indistinct and hard to follow at times - it's extremely important you keep a close eye on the Macs App!

NOTE: Before reading the below section you will probably notice that the map's dotted trail line, has you follow the stream via the left bank - keeping the stream to your right and eventually crossing it a later stage, IGNORE THIS! Follow the Macs App red line and Cross the stream at the farm path so you are on the right bank, with the stream on your left!

At the end of the paved road go through the gate and onto the farm track. This curves to the right, follow it, and cross the stream (Walden Beck) at this point! Turn left at the gap in the wall - ensuring you keep the stream on your left, continue on through another gap in the wall at the end of the wooded section. Here you are now onto the open moorland and around 400 metres ahead of you, there is another stream (known as Deepdale Gill) that intersects with Walden Beck.

Cross Deepdale Gill, just up from this intersection (there is a waymarker on the Macs App) and turn right. Here, is where the climb up through Walden Moor begins. The path underfoot comes and goes at this section and can be hard to follow - as you ascend, find the most suitable path for yourself, there are a few marker posts to aid you but as long as you keep to the general path line of Macs App and the dotted trail (avoiding the obvious gullies (known as Hags) you shouldn't have any problems at all. Around the halfway point of the climb you'll cross a vehicle track - don't be tempted to follow it (this is not the path but you can use it as a rough guide ensuring it's on your left as you walk up the moor). Continue upwards, skirting the hillside until you reach the ridge wall. You can see on the map, the path eventually veers to the left (at around the 12.5 kilometre mark) where you will be able to pick up a more distinct track towards the Memorial turn-off. 

At the memorial turn-off, you can take the detour to visit the memorial itself and also summit Buckden Pike if you wish (We only really recommend doing so if the weather has been favorable). Ensure you take care on this path as it can be extremely boggy and there are many gullies along it). Please also ensure you retrace your steps back to the Memorial turn-off when you descend back down to Starbotton - some of the alternative paths down can involve scrambling and add significant mileage.

Stage 4 (Buckden Pike Memorial Pike to Starbotton) - 13.6 to 16.7km: The 3-kilometre descent to Starbotton, is a straightforward one that's hiked regularly by many a keen hill walker in the area. Keep an eye on the Macs App, and follow the path as you head downhill, passing through a couple of walls before eventually heading onto a more substantial dirt track that takes you all the way down into the village of Starbotton, here you can pop into the Fox & Hounds (if its open) for a drink or two before moving on.

Stage 5 (Starbotton to Kettlewell) 16.7 to 20.1km:  The final section is a pleasant 4 kilometre stretch along the Lady Anne's Way through some grassy fields all the way to Kettlewell. The route is well signed (for Kettlewell) the entire way, so you can't go wrong - If you run into any problems, just check the Macs App! Arriving in Kettlewell ensure you have a well-earned celebratory drink after completing the Ales and Dales Trail!

Cheers!

Post Ales and Dales Trail Drinks recommendation in Kettlewell:  Both The Blue Bell Inn and Racehorses Hotel are worth a visit.

*** This is the end of our Aysgarth to Kettlewell (Buckden Pike Memorial) route and the end of the Ales Dales trail - an included taxi transfer should take you, to your overnight accommodation in Grassington***