Cow Close waterfalls in Cray playing in the water

Cow Close Waterfalls, Cray Gill

The tiny hamlet of Cray in Upper Wharfedale is waterfall central, with LOADS of super secret waterfalls to hunt down.

This one is hidden in plain sight! Visible from the main path, you have to explore a bit more to get up close!

This waterfall is located on Access Land, where you have to right to roam. That said be respectful to any signage or boundaries in place or requests from the land owner.

Where is Cow Close Waterfall?

Located in Cray, Upper Wharfedale, this little gem is hidden in plain sight, is visible from the road and is found a little way off the main path, but is located on public access land.

Also, I have no idea what it is called. Marked as just ‘waterfall’ on the map, this one is certainly worthy of a name. So we call it Cow Close Waterfall, because it’s located at the foot of Cow Close Gill!

Want to find it too? Head on a secret waterfall hunting mission!

Don’t be disappointed: This waterfall is very responsive to the weather conditions! Has it been dry for a while? Then it’s unlikely the waterfall will be at its most spectacular! Therefore, we recommend this one is visited after a bit of rain, and it is at its best in the winter months, when the ground is saturated. Heed the warnings about water levels etc. below.

The view from Cow Close waterfalls across the Dales
Standing in front of the watefalls in the summer

Walk details for Cow Close Waterfalls, Cray

Distance: 4.5 miles

Terrain: Mainly easily identifiable paths. Some ascent (380m), some off path walking, but this was over easy terrain at the time of walking and there is a visible well trodden path across open access land to the waterfall across a stile in the fence (Update March 2022, the stile is getting very worse for wear and dilapidated. Take care not to damage any boundaries). It is located on public access land, where you have the right to roam. Follow the countryside code at all time, be respectful of the countryside and the landowner, NEVER LEAVE RUBBISH! IT’S PROPER TERRIBLE BEHAVIOUR! LEAVE NO TRACE (shouty bit over!)

Parking: Buckden Pay and Display

Public Transport: Yes! There is a bus service that runs to Buckden, where this walk begins. Check out the details on the Dales Bus website.

Dog Friendly? Yes. Be mindful of any livestock.

Location: Cray, Upper Wharfedale, Yorkshire Dales National Park (parking Buckden)

What 3 Words: chiefs.lessening.reshape

Toilets/ Baby Change: Buckden Pay and Display, toilets.

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Buckden, or White Lion at Cray.

Floating boats on the water of Cow Close Waterfall

Directions to Cow Close Waterfalls, Cray

These route instructions are intended as a guide to supplement a map.

  1. Head out of the Pay and Display Car park, using the only gate that takes you to a path rather than a campsite or road! The bridleway is part of the Pennine Journey trail and will lead you away from the car park in the direction of Cray.

  2. The path is wide, stony and well used, so is unmissable. It takes you round the base of Buckden Pike. Stick on this path, ignoring the rising path to the right, which is the ascending path to Buckden Pike.

  3. Once you near Cray High Bridge (you’ll see it in the distance), you will see a craggy scar appear to your right, this is Cow Close Falls. It is visible from the main bridleway, but for a closer look you’ll need to head onto the moorland around it.

  4. You can do this by using what was at the time of walking, a little stile over the boundary fence (Update March 2022 is that this stile is VERY worse for wear. There is still a passing point, but the posts are not great so be careful and don’t damage boundaries!) This is open access land, and so has a right to roam. You will be able to make out a rough path along the grass which will take you to the lower falls. They head in a diagonal direction across the grass to the falls themselves. The pools are pretty shallow and not swimmable, even after wet weather, BUT! Children should be supervised at all times around any water.

  5. Little tip to find the stile, if you’ve reached the road and Cray Bridge, you’ve gone a field too far. However after prolonged wet weather, this has its own waterfall, so is worth a trip too if the conditions are right! We last visited after a period of reeeeeallly wet weather and it was there! But when it’s dry, no chance! Double back on yourself and the stile is on the perimeter fence of the land surrounding the waterfall.

  6. From the lower falls, it is possible to scramble up the steep grassy bank to explore beyond, but take care with little legs here, as it is steep! A tip is that the closer to the road you get, the lesser the gradient. Again, in very wet weather there is a second set of falls up here. We have not managed to get there in the right conditions, but you may be luckier.

  7. Head back down the path the way you came!

  8. Alternatively, you can combine with walk with our Cray Gill waterfalls walk, for a full day of waterfall wonder!

  9. Last walked February 2022

For all our helpful information and safety tips head to our dedicated page.

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

⭐ If you choose to paddle, be aware of bio security. Always wear clean dry water shoes (if worn) to avoid cross contamination of species between watercourses, this is a particular issue in the Yorkshire Dales, to help protect the white clawed crayfish.

⭐ If you decide to paddle, be aware that wild water can be dangerous, and water levels will vary season to season. Always supervise children around water. Check out the safety information on the Royal Life Saving Society website.

Playing under the waterfall at Cow Close

What’s cool for kids on this walk?

💦 WATER! Well of course! Exercise care when paddling around waterfalls as the water can change with the weather conditions. If you want an ultimate waterfall walk, then pair it up with our Buckden Beck waterfalls walk, which will add around 1km to the route length, or our Cray Gill Waterfalls.

🌳 Check out our walking games to help to make this walk super cool for kids! We have free printable scavenger sheets, activities for nature collectors and walking games aplenty!

The waterfall at Bolton Abbey the Valley of Desolation

Waterfall Hunters?

SO ARE WE!

If you are after more waterfall walks, then you are in the right place, as we have a whole page dedicated to our favourite watery wonders!

Check out all of our walk categories above… OR

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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