One of the waterfalls on Buckden Beck

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!

One of the pools underneath Buckden Beck waterfalls

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.

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.

Dipping in the top waterfall of Buckden Beck

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.

  2. Once you reach the beck, head upwards. To start with, the path is clear, then it will become narrower the higher up you climb. 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.

  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, and should be reserved for the grown ups with the strongest nerves, as I have been told it is extremely dicey!! 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 so keep going! Don’t progress past your comfort zone, there’s plenty of pools to play in that don’t require any scrambling!

  4. Stop and enjoy, paddle, splash and 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!

Paddling toes in the water below the waterfall

What’s cool for kids at Buckden Beck Waterfalls?

💦 There are several paddling sized pools to play in and dip your toes! Just be careful after a period of heavy rainfall and grown ups check the depths of the water, the pools have ample paddling room, but be wary these are wild pools, and the level can drop away very quickly. 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!

🌳 Let’s face it, with a short wander and a promise of paddling, 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!

Walking back down Buckden Beck to the lower waterfalls

Useful Information:

⭐ 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.

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!

Scroll for all our Family Friendly Walks

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