Stocks Reservoir and Gisburn Forest
Reservoir views, forest trails, and barely any climbing. One for when you want miles without mountains — or when the rest of the Dales is under a cloud.
Mostly on runnable ground, but most runners still walk the steepest climbs.
A trail run looping around Stocks Reservoir and through Gisburn Forest in the Forest of Bowland AONB. Good all-weather tracks and minimal climbing make this one of the most accessible routes in the region.
Reservoir views, forest trails, and barely any climbing. One for when you want miles without mountains — or when the rest of the Dales is under a cloud.
##The route
From the Gisburn Forest Hub car park, the route circuits Stocks Reservoir before looping through the forest tracks. The terrain is mostly well-drained gravel track with some rougher forest paths.
##The forest
Gisburn Forest is managed by Forestry England and shared with mountain bikers — be ready to share the trails. The café at the Hub is open most days and does proper food.
Forestry vehicles on some tracks — be alert. Shared use with mountain bikers. Muddy forest paths after heavy rain.
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
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