Scar House Reservoir Moorland Loop

The route

Start from the reservoir car park at the head of the private road above Lofthouse, beneath the great dam of Scar House Reservoir. From there the loop heads out onto the surrounding moors rather than around the water, an 18.1km circuit of reservoir track and open moor at the head of Nidderdale. The early sections run fast on made track, while the moor turns rougher and boggier underfoot, with 434m of climbing spread gently through the loop rather than in any single pull.

Scar House

Scar House and its neighbour Angram were built in the early 20th century to supply Bradford, huge feats of stone engineering at the remote head of the dale. The Scar House dam is a monumental thing, and the navvy village that built it has long since vanished back into the moor. Above the reservoirs the fells rise to the watershed with Wharfedale, empty grouse moor where the Nidd begins, all big skies, curlew and the constant sound of water.

Why it works

This is a route for a long, quiet day away from the crowds. The track sections give fast, easy running and the moor gives the loop its wildness and variety, without ever being technical. Navigation is straightforward on the track but needs more care on the open moor in cloud. It suits a steady long run or an easy big-distance day.

Good to know

Start from the Scar House Reservoir car park, which has toilets, a rare luxury this far up the dale. There is nothing else out here, so carry what you need; Lofthouse and Pateley Bridge are the nearest villages. The moor is boggy and exposed with no shelter, and the weather turns quickly at the head of the dale, so go prepared and pick a clear day. Grouse shooting affects the moors between August and December.