What to Expect

Expect stunning views all to ourselves and a feeling of absolute solitude. We start in the pretty village of Kettlewell and make our way up to Great Whernside where we have an amazing view of all the Dales, to our east into Nidderdale and to our west the original Yorkshire Three Peaks. The views stay with us to Buckden Pike, becoming prettier and less dramatic as we drop down into Buckden village. We can stop here for a bite to eat and use the toilet or head straight up to our last summit, Birks Fell. A little bit of bleak, bog walking and back to lovely Kettlewell for a pie and pint.

We might compare this to Yorkshire Three Peaks but it is a different experience. The day is easier being shorter and much less ascent but there are no paths in some areas and no footpaths signs pointed us to the summits. It can be quite tough going in poor weather. Its an slog up onto Great Whernside with a dip down than back up to Buckden Pike. This can quite boggy but near the top we do have some paved paths taking us down to Buckden. Its another slog up onto Birks Fells, this section can be very bleak and boggy, but it wouldn't be a challenge otherwise! Coming back down from Birks Fell we hit an uneven farm track back into Kettlewell. 

We are quite exposed on the tops so be prepared for all weathers, I've walked in 3 degrees in the middle of summer and another time with 45mph winds. If anybody needed to end the walk then it isn't too difficult to find ourselves back onto the road into the local villages, though we would have to do this as as a team. Be prepared for a fun day of hard work!