Standing by the River Wharfe near Hubberholme

Hubberholme to Yockenthwaite Circular

This short circular starts and ends in Hubberholme, a tiny hamlet in the Upper Wharfedale/ Langstrothdale area of the Yorkshire Dales.

This walk gives you plenty of stone throwing spots and paddle spots (when the water is low), plus is starts and ends at the fabulous George Inn!

Where is Hubberholme?

Hubberholme is a tiny hamlet located in the upper reaches of Wharfedale, the Yorkshire Dales National Park, at the beginning of Langstrothdale and it’s just a beautiful spot to begin a walk!

This wander is perfect in the warmer months, when the water levels are low and calm, as there are spots to get to the water’s edge to paddle and splash, or even build a tower of rocks! The riverbank at Hubberholme is often full of the sculptures during the Summer.

This walk starts and ends at the fab George Inn, which serves tasty pub grub!

This walk guide should be used in conjunction with a map and if necessary, a compass.

Walking down to the Church in Hubberholme
Walking back along the river at Hubberholme
Heading through the gate at Yockenthwaite

Walk details for the Hubberholme Circular

Distance: 3.5 miles

Terrain: Well walked and way marked footpaths, some ascent (850 feet). Mainly rough and uneven footpaths.

Parking: Hubberholme, vergeside next to the river.

Public Transport? None to Hubberhome, the nearest bus stop is Buckden. A walk from here would add an extra 3 miles onto this walk. Find out more from the Dales Bus website.

Dog friendly? Yes

Location: Hubberholme is at the head of Upper Wharfedale, and the edge of Langstrothdale

Map: Explorer OL30 Yorkshire Dales Northern and Central Areas

What 3 Words: petrified.pollution.channel (parking)

Toilets/ Baby Change: No public, nearest is Buckden Pay and Display. The George Inn has toilets for paying customers.

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: The George Inn, or Buckden for pub and shop.

Swimming in the river at Yockenthwaite
The views across Langstrothdale towards Hubberholme

How to walk to Yockenthwaite from Hubberholme

Directions (to be used in conjunction with a map)

  1. Beginning from the parking area at the side of the river on Stubbing Lane, head in the direction of the church. On your right, there is a wide vehicular access track, which is signposted, ‘footpath Yockenthwaite’. Head towards the farm ahead.

  2. The track bends to the left around the back of the churchyard, then take the lower left fork. The footpaths heads along the side of the water, keeping it to your left. You will be on the Dales Way footpath, which is well waymarked and on easily identifiable footpaths.

  3. You will continue on this same footpath until you reach Yockenthwaite. Along here, there are some spots to get down to the water’s edge. Please respect any signage/ boundaries from the landowner.

  4. After 1.5 miles, you will see the buildings of Yockenthwaite appear on your right. At this point, the path begins to head diagonally right, up the field to a stile in the wall and a little wooden gate. Head through the gate and then diagonally left to the next gate. It is signposted.

  5. Head through the gate and across the next field to the open gateway in the wall opposite. There is another footpath sign here, follow the Dales Way signage rightwards to another signpost, this time pointing in three directions.

  6. Here you need to take the ‘FP Cray’ direction. The path heads between the buildings and follows the stone track as it starts to climb. As you pass another farm building on your right, you will soon see yet another footpath sign. The path now heads off the stony track, and onto a wide grassy path that climbs and heads in a rightwards direction around the back of the property.

  7. It then re-joins a stone track. Here, turn right and keep heading upwards until you reach a public footpath sign pointing to Hubberholme and Cray. Head through the waymarked gate, and head straight on down the path. You will then go through another waymarked gate. There is another yellow waymarker post, which will keep you on track as the path keeps climbing upwards.

  8. The path heads through a broken wall where you will see a footpath sign again. Follow the direction of the arrow, which points in a rightwards direction. Head through another gate (there are a lot of these!) and keep following the path in an easterly direction until you reach woodland.

  9. In approximately 750yards you will see some woodland. The path goes into this, and across a little footbridge into the woods. Head through the woods and out the other side. You will see a limestone scar and flashes of limestone pavement ahead. Continue through a National Trust waymarked gate and walk towards Scar House and the wooden signpost on the track. You need to follow the footpath signposted Hubberholme.

  10. The path is pretty rocky, and heads down and around the back of the farmhouse (keeping that to your right) it then bends around to the right, heading between two buildings, then round to the left and starts to descend towards Hubberholme.

  11. The track goes through the farm and then descends via the concrete farm access track, until you reach the church where you began!

Last walked March 2024

Throwing stones into the river at Hubberholme

Helpful Information!

For more helpful information head to our safety tips and advice page.

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! These walks are intended as a guide only and are undertaken at your own risk. The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. If in doubt, turn back. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS or your phone 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.

Swimming in the River at Hubberholme
The River Wharfe running through Langstrothdale

Whats cool for kids on the Hubberholme circular?

💦 Plenty of places to splash and throw stones into the water. Always supervise kids around water. Be aware that water depths vary greatly in rivers, and that water levels will rise quickly in wet weather. If in doubt do not get in the water.

⭐ At point 9 you will cross a footbridge into woodland, and cross a rocky gill. This is Strans Gill and is a Grade 2 Scramble popular with the local outdoor activity groups. It is possible to explore a small part of the gill (to explore the full extent you would need ropes and climbing equipment) but it is cool to go and explore the easy to reach parts! Be aware that the rocks can be slippery and that the gill floods quickly after rainfall.

🍦 Grab an ice cream from Buckden!

🌳 If you need a little more help with the whinge factor, then head over to our Walking Games page to see what there is to offer! Or you can download a scavenger hunt sheet!

Cray Gill waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales

Want more walks from the Hubberholme area?

These are Cray Gill falls, just down the road from Hubberholme!

This walk takes in a fantastic array of waterfalls on Cray Gill, there are plenty of paddle spots, and three pubs!

If you want to find out more about it, head to our Cray Gill waterfalls page!

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