Child standing in front of tall waterfall in spring

Buckden Beck Waterfalls

Buckden Beck waterfalls are a super little spot for a walk and a play.

Even though it’s a short walk, the spectacular set of waterfalls that get bigger as you head upstream are well worth a trip to go and see if you are in Buckden in the Yorkshire Dales.

Where are Buckden Beck waterfalls?

Well, if you are headed up to Upper Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales, you will find the tiny village of Buckden. It’s the home of Buckden Pike, the 7th highest peak in the whole of the Yorkshire Dales, and it is the home of this super little set of waterfalls too. Nestled in the lower slopes of the mountain you will find these waterfalls and they just keep getting better the higher up you go!

The best thing is? You’d never even know they were there! They are hidden behind the village and the campsite there.

This waterfall walk is very, very short, and is great either for very young explorers or to tag onto the end of another spectacular Buckden based walk. It is also a great place for a little picnic and perhaps a paddle too!

EDIT April 2026. We have revisited this walk after a report in July 2025 of a rockfall in the area. I could see no evidence of any recent rockfall and no evidence of cordoning off in the area/ or warning signage. The route was open and being walked by several other parties as well. Aside from the little slip in the path which we identified at the beginning of last year, there does not appear to be any change to the area. That said, be mindful of this possibility if there has indeed been rockfall in the past.

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I set up the Reluctant Explorers and maintain the website and attached social media accounts in my spare time, around mum-life and two jobs. It was designed to provide access for parents to free resources to help get more families outside and exploring in nature. These walks have all been created by myself and the kids and we have walked each one ourselves (and re-walk them regularly to keep the information as up to date as we can).

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One of the pools underneath Buckden Beck waterfalls

Playing near one of the pools around half way up the series of pools.

What are the walk details for Buckden Beck Waterfalls?

Walk Distance: less than one mile.

Terrain: Dependant on how far up you decide to go, some easily identifiable paths, the higher up the falls are more scrambly with some unguarded drops, so best suited for older adventurers. UPDATE: The path towards the top falls has become a little eroded in places, possibly due to small landslip. It is best to view the falls from below this point with the kids as there is a steep exposed drop and the path is very narrow.

In July 2025 we were advised that there had been a spontaneous rock fall around the area of the lower falls. After a re-walk we cannot see any evidence of any further falls and the footpath remains open.

Parking: Buckden Pay and Display

Public Transport: Yes. There is a bus service to Buckden. Check out the details on the Dales bus website.

Dog Friendly? Yes be respectful to any livestock.

Location: Buckden, Upper Wharfedale, Yorkshire Dales National Park (Falls are located on open access land)

Map: OL 30 Yorkshire Dales Northern and Central

What 3 Words: roughly relations.prelude.nursery

Toilets/ Baby Change: Yes, Buckden Pay and Display - Toilets

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Buckden for a little supply shop, and there is also a pub. Down the road is Kettlewell.

Child crouched in front of small waterfall playing in the water with clouds and blue skies above.

Playing near the same set of falls when it has significantly more water!

Directions to Buckden Beck Waterfalls

  1. Starting from Buckden Car Park, head out of the gate nearest the toilets, heading towards the path to Buckden Pike. You will skirt around the campsite go through a metal gate and end up at the foot of Buckden Beck. Here, turn left,, keeping the beck to your right.

  2. To start with, the path is clear, then it will become narrower the higher up you climb, although still well walked and visible. The pools to the right will get larger as you go, and the last waterfall (pictured above) is a little more of a scrambly path, not suitable for the youngest explorers. But is accessible for the more sure footed, older children. UPDATE: Whilst the top falls are still accessible, the path has become very eroded in places and is very narrow with steep sides. As such, the falls are best safely viewed from below.

  3. You can get all the way up to the lead mine of Buckden Pike along the waterfalls, but it is not a child friendly path at all, and should be reserved for the grown ups with the strongest nerves, as I have been told it is extremely dicey in places. Check out our route to Buckden Pike if you fancy getting to the top in a more child friendly fashion! Enjoy all the pools, the higher you go, the greater the falls! Don’t progress past your comfort zone, there’re plenty of pools to spot that don’t require any scrambling!

  4. Stop and enjoy a splash and maybe even a picnic! Then head back to the car park when you’re done. As with all water, be sensible, be wary of currents and be aware that the falls can be a WHOLE difference kettle of fish after prolonged rainfall. These photographs were taken after a period of dry weather.

  5. Enjoy! And leave no trace, take all your rubbish home with you.

Most recently walked April 2026

Paddling toes in the water below the waterfall

What’s cool for kids at Buckden Beck Waterfalls?

💦 There are several splash sized pools to throw stones! Just be careful after a period of heavy rainfall and grown ups check the depths of the water if children dip their toes. As with ALL water play, children MUST be supervised at ALL TIMES.

✨ We have been here SO MANY TIMES and it never fails to disappoint. We love to bring a picnic and the kids will spend hours throwing stones! Just remember to take home all your rubbish and leave no trace.

🌳 Let’s face it, with a short wander and a promise of a splash, you won’t need much in the way of a distraction! But check out some of our walking games if you fancy it! Or you can download a free scavenger sheet!

Child sitting on a rocky shelf with a tree and views behind

This is the scrambly path to the top falls. Only advisable with confident sure-footed kids. If in doubt view the falls from below this point.

Child walking down a path next to a beck under blue skies with fluffy clouds

Walking back down the beck from the top falls.

child walking along ravine under blue skies with cascading beck

The walk up from the bottom of the falls.

Walking back down Buckden Beck to the lower waterfalls

Useful Information:

For all our helpful stuff and safety bits 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.

Wild swimming in Buckden Beck waterfalls

Want to dip your toes in these waterfalls?

We have written a blog all about Wild Swimming with the Kids in the Yorkshire Dales and this is one of our fav spots!

It’s packed full of information regarding safety with links to helpful websites packed full of advice too.

Tap here to head to the Wild Swimming Blog
Tap here to head to the Wild Swimming Blog
Sitting next to Force Gill waterfall on the

Want to find more Waterfall Walks?

All of our family friendly walks are arranged in loads of different categories including, waterfall walks, short walks and walks with play parks. So you can find exactly the kind of walk you are looking for!

But if you want to find all the kid friendly waterfall walks in one place?

Then why not head to our Waterfall Walks section!

There is another one that starts from Buckden, Cray Gill Waterfalls!

Tap here to head to our Waterfall walks
Tap here to head to our Waterfall walks

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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