A Walk from Kettlewell 2016

Walk Leader: Steve Edwards
Total Distance: 11 Miles
Total ascent: 2591 ft

This walk takes in the hills around Great Whernside and continues on across challenging moorland to Buckden Pike. Buckden Pike has a tragic past, but it is also a mountain that collects water and retains it most efficiently thus turning much of the high ground to bog. So my suggestion is to wear gaiters if possible and be prepared for a small amount of ‘bog hopping’.


The views from Great Whernside and on the walk back to Kettlewell are well worth the effort. They are some of the best in the Yorkshire Dales.

On the outward leg we climb past Hag Dyke, a Scout Hostel administered by the Ben Rhydding Scout and Guide Group in Ben Rhydding, Ilkley. The Hostel was bequeathed to the group in 1947 and has been run by a group of volunteer wardens for the benefit of Scouts and other Youth Groups ever since. 

The building was originally a farmhouse and its occupants traced back to 1730, but it is probably older and could have housed miners working in Dowber Ghyll lead mines opened in 1680, the area of the kitchen is the oldest. At 1525 feet it was believed to be the highest house in the former West Riding.

A “Dyke” in Dales dialect means a mountain dividing wall and “Hag” means enclosed land or an intake (from the moor in this case). The name therefore means the wall bounding the intake from the moor. The house is reputed to be haunted!!

We continue on up to the exposed summit of Great Whernside which at 2,310ft is the highest point of our walk. On a fine autumn day great views are to be had, but not a place to loiter if the weather is harsh.

We descend Great Whernside and climb through the peat bogs up towards Buckden Pike and pay our respects at the Polish War memorial.

An RAF bomber crashed on the moor during a snowstorm in November 1942. The story is inspiring as a sole survivor of the crash, Sergeant Joseph Fusniak, found his way off the moor to safety with the unlikely assistance of a fox.

“I struggled for several hours trying to make my way down treacherous slopes and over stone walls partially submerged in deep snow drifts. I remember a vertical cliff and nearly slid over the edge".


"I prayed for help. Then something compelled me to look up. The clouds briefly broke and a dazzling shaft of light appeared out of the sky outlining the valley and habitation. It was as if it were a sign from heaven; a mystical experience. It uplifted and gave me the tremendous strength and courage I needed to continue over the wall in my quest for help"

A truly inspirational story of bravery and faith….

In May 1942, in recognition for his bravery, Sergeant Joseph Fusniak was awarded the British Empire Medal by King George VI and decorated by Chief Air Marshall 'Bomber' Harris

If we maintain a good pace we should be back in the beautiful village of Kettlewell in time for tea and cake.