How many trail running routes are there in Nidderdale?

There are 14 trail running routes in Nidderdale on Trail Running Planet, covering 4 areas. All routes include free GPX downloads and honest grading.

What is the average route length in Nidderdale?

The average distance is 14.8km, with routes ranging from gentle valley loops to full-day mountain circuits. Total ascent across all routes is 3,378m.

Are there dog-friendly trail runs in Nidderdale?

Yes — 13 of the routes in Nidderdale are marked dog-friendly. Look for the dog-friendly chip on route cards, or use the filter above the route grid.

Can I reach trail runs in Nidderdale by public transport?

3 routes in Nidderdale are accessible by bus or train. Look for the bus/train chip on route cards, or check the getting there section on individual route pages.

Is there parking at trail running routes in Nidderdale?

14 routes in Nidderdale have a parking postcode listed. Check individual route pages for full parking details.

Do I need to register to download GPX files for Nidderdale routes?

No. All GPX downloads on Trail Running Planet are free with no account, no email gate, and no paywall — including every route in Nidderdale.

Trail running routes in Nidderdale

Reservoir laps in the Washburn Valley for the easy days, heather moor around Scar House and Pateley Bridge when you want more.

Routes

14.8km

Avg distance

3,378m

Total ascent

Areas

Masham Pateley Bridge Upper Nidderdale Washburn Valley

Which route should I choose?

14 routes in Nidderdale, from 5.2 km to 34.2 km. If it is your first time here, start with the easy group below. Every route has a free GPX file, a TRP grade and a note on parking and transport.

Checked: 14 run by TRP. Each route page says which.

First trail run here

Low effort, easy ground, shortest first.

Fewston Reservoir Loop · 5.2 km · 21 m · Easy
Swinsty Reservoir Loop · 6.3 km · 27 m · Easy
Thruscross Reservoir Loop · 7.9 km · 97 m · Easy
Hackfall Woods from Swinton Estate · 9.8 km · 217 m · Moderate
Washburn Valley from Leathley · 10.2 km · 167 m · Moderate
Fewston and Swinsty Reservoir Loop · 10.3 km · 41 m · Moderate

Under 10 km

An hour or so, whatever your pace.

Fewston Reservoir Loop · 5.2 km · 21 m · Easy
Swinsty Reservoir Loop · 6.3 km · 27 m · Easy
Thruscross Reservoir Loop · 7.9 km · 97 m · Easy
Hackfall Woods from Swinton Estate · 9.8 km · 217 m · Moderate

A long day out

Over 25 km. Take food, take a map.

Fewston, Swinsty and Stainburn from Harrogate · 34.2 km · 409 m · Hard
Simon's Seat from Thruscross Reservoir · 28.7 km · 828 m · Very Hard

Firm underfoot in wet weather

Lowest mud rating in the region.

Swinsty Reservoir Loop · 6.3 km · 27 m · Easy
Fewston and Swinsty Reservoir Loop · 10.3 km · 41 m · Moderate
Thruscross Reservoir from Blubberhouses · 13.5 km · 162 m · Moderate
Thruscross, Fewston and Swinsty from Blubberhouses · 23.7 km · 195 m · Hard
Fewston Reservoir Loop · 5.2 km · 21 m · Easy
Thruscross Reservoir Loop · 7.9 km · 97 m · Easy

By train or bus

Starts you can reach without a car.

Masham and the River Ure · 10.8 km · 185 m · Moderate
Pateley Bridge Trail Running Route · 13.1 km · 281 m · Moderate
Pateley Bridge and Cold Stones Cut · 15.4 km · 314 m · Moderate

Compare all 14 routes in one table

Route	Distance	Climb	Grade	Ground	Getting there
Fewston Reservoir Loop	5.2 km	21 m	Easy	reservoir path	Drive, parking listed
Swinsty Reservoir Loop	6.3 km	27 m	Easy	path	Drive, parking listed
Thruscross Reservoir Loop	7.9 km	97 m	Easy	path	Drive, parking listed
Hackfall Woods from Swinton Estate	9.8 km	217 m	Moderate	woodland	Drive, parking listed
Washburn Valley from Leathley	10.2 km	167 m	Moderate	woodland	Drive, parking listed
Fewston and Swinsty Reservoir Loop	10.3 km	41 m	Moderate	path	Drive, parking listed
Masham and the River Ure	10.8 km	185 m	Moderate	path	Bus or train
Pateley Bridge Trail Running Route	13.1 km	281 m	Moderate	path	Bus or train
Thruscross Reservoir from Blubberhouses	13.5 km	162 m	Moderate	path	Drive, parking listed
Pateley Bridge and Cold Stones Cut	15.4 km	314 m	Moderate	moorland	Bus or train
Scar House Reservoir Moorland Loop	18.1 km	434 m	Hard	moorland	Drive, parking listed
Thruscross, Fewston and Swinsty from Blubberhouses	23.7 km	195 m	Hard	path	Drive, parking listed
Simon's Seat from Thruscross Reservoir	28.7 km	828 m	Very Hard	moorland	Drive, parking listed
Fewston, Swinsty and Stainburn from Harrogate	34.2 km	409 m	Hard	path	Drive, parking listed

Sort:

14 routes

MODERATE

Fewston and Swinsty Reservoir Loop

10.3km · 41m climb · Loop

Two reservoirs for the price of one, connected by well-graded Yorkshire Water tracks. Quiet, well-maintained, and a reliable choice when everywhere else is ankle-deep.

Good for beginnersDog friendly

Checked Jun 2026

EASY

Fewston Reservoir Loop

5.2km · 21m climb · Loop

A short and beautiful run around this picturesque reservoir in the Washburn Valley

Good for beginnersDog friendly

Checked Jun 2026

HARD

Fewston, Swinsty and Stainburn from Harrogate

34.2km · 409m climb · Loop

You link two of Yorkshire's prettiest reservoirs and a quiet forest into one long circuit, with reservoir-side trails that keep the running fast and flowing for most of the distance.

Dog friendly

Checked Jul 20261 ran this

MODERATE

Hackfall Woods from Swinton Estate

9.8km · 217m climb · Loop

Hackfall is a hidden Georgian pleasure ground gone wild, where you run past ruined follies and a fountain hidden deep in the trees above the River Ure. There is nothing else quite like it.

Dog friendly

Checked Jul 2026

MODERATE

Masham and the River Ure

10.8km · 185m climb · Loop

You get a soft, green riverside loop that starts and finishes in Masham's big market square, with two working breweries and a clutch of cafes waiting when you are done.

No car neededDog friendly

Checked Jul 2026

MODERATE

Pateley Bridge and Cold Stones Cut

15.4km · 314m climb · Loop

You run the length of Gouthwaite Reservoir, one of the best birdwatching waters in the north, with the moors and old lead mines of upper Nidderdale rising on either side.

No car neededDog friendly

Checked Jul 2026

MODERATE

Pateley Bridge Trail Running Route

13.1km · 281m climb · Loop

You run out towards a reservoir famous for its birdlife and back down the upper Nidd valley, framed by moor tops, from one of Yorkshire's most likeable little towns.

No car neededDog friendly

Checked Jul 2026

HARD

Scar House Reservoir Moorland Loop

18.1km · 434m climb · Loop

You start beneath the huge stone dam of Scar House and head out across the empty grouse moor at the very head of Nidderdale, about as remote as the Dales get.

Dog friendly

Checked Jul 2026

VERY HARD

Simon's Seat from Thruscross Reservoir

28.7km · 828m climb · Loop

This route crosses two distinct landscapes in one loop - the flooded Washburn Valley around Thruscross, then the high gritstone fell of Simon's Seat - with barely any road between them.

Fell run

Checked Jun 2026

EASY

Swinsty Reservoir Loop

6.3km · 27m climb · Loop

The smallest of the Washburn Valley reservoir circuits. Straightforward, reliable, and the kind of route that gets used regularly rather than just once.

Good for beginnersDog friendly

Checked Jun 2026

MODERATE

Thruscross Reservoir from Blubberhouses

13.5km · 162m climb · Loop

The middle option in the Washburn Valley reservoir series - more commitment than the short loops but less than the full three-reservoir circuit. Thruscross from below gives the valley its proper context.

Good for beginnersDog friendly

Checked Jun 2026

EASY

Thruscross Reservoir Loop

7.9km · 97m climb · Loop

Thruscross sits above the rest of the valley and feels it - more open, more exposed, and noticeably quieter than Swinsty and Fewston below. Worth the extra 5 minutes drive.

Good for beginnersDog friendly

Checked Jun 2026

HARD

Thruscross, Fewston and Swinsty from Blubberhouses

23.7km · 195m climb · Loop

Three reservoirs, one long run, and some of the best-maintained trail surfaces in the north. This is what you do when you want big distance without big hills.

Dog friendly

Checked Jun 2026

MODERATE

Washburn Valley from Leathley

10.2km · 167m climb · Loop

You get a quiet string of reservoirs and river woodland a stone's throw from Otley, with none of the crowds of the honeypot dales. It is the sort of route locals keep to themselves.

Dog friendly

Races in Nidderdale

All Nidderdale races →

The next races starting in Nidderdale, with runner reviews and what people wore where we have them. Train on the routes above.

Sept

2026

Yorkshire Reservoir Dogs

Otley, West Yorkshire · Punk Panther

Seven reservoirs, barely a hill. The organiser calls it the one for beginners, and they're right.

15, 20 & 32 milesup to 1,061 m climb

Navigation required

HARD TO VERY HARD

Entries open

Oct

2026

Autumn Headtorch Half

Swinsty Reservoir, North Yorkshire · Punk Panther

The autumn running of the reservoir night race.

5 km, 10 km & 13 milesup to 245 m climb

Runs through the night

MODERATE TO HARD

Not open yet

Oct

2026

Nidderdale Way

Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire · Punk Panther

The full Nidderdale Way at fifty-six miles, or a bite of it. Punk Panther's longest.

13, 20, 32 & 55 milesup to 2,272 m climb

Navigation required

HARD TO EXPERT

Entries open

Dec

2026

Christmas Cracker

Otley, West Yorkshire · Punk Panther

A December loop out of Otley over Norwood Edge and the Washburn.

12, 19 & 32 milesup to 1,257 m climb

Navigation required

HARD TO VERY HARD

Entries open

About running in Nidderdale

Reservoir laps in the Washburn Valley for the easy days, heather moor around Scar House and Pateley Bridge when you want more.

Thirteen routes, and the spread is the point. Fewston and Swinsty are flat 5–10km loops on good paths that run all year, while Scar House, Cold Stones Cut and Simon's Seat from Thruscross take you onto open moor with proper climbing. Masham and Hackfall Woods cover the quieter northern end. Public transport is thin — buses reach Pateley Bridge and Masham, the reservoirs are car or summer-Sunday DalesBus — though the 34km loop from Harrogate starts at a railway station. Every route has a free GPX download and an honest TRP Grade.

Safety reminder

In an emergency call 999 or 112 — ask for Police then Mountain Rescue.

No signal? Pre-register emergency SMS: text register to 999.

Safety guides →

Common questions

: There are 14 trail running routes in Nidderdale on Trail Running Planet, covering 4 areas. All routes include free GPX downloads and honest grading.
: The average distance is 14.8km, with routes ranging from gentle valley loops to full-day mountain circuits. Total ascent across all routes is 3,378m.
: Yes — 13 of the routes in Nidderdale are marked dog-friendly. Look for the dog-friendly chip on route cards, or use the filter above the route grid.
: 3 routes in Nidderdale are accessible by bus or train. Look for the bus/train chip on route cards, or check the getting there section on individual route pages.
: 14 routes in Nidderdale have a parking postcode listed. Check individual route pages for full parking details.
: No. All GPX downloads on Trail Running Planet are free with no account, no email gate, and no paywall — including every route in Nidderdale.