Fewston Reservoir Loop
A short and beautiful run around this picturesque reservoir in the Washburn Valley
Almost entirely runnable — minimal steep sections.
A short and beautiful run around this picturesque reservoir in the Washburn Valley
A short, easy circuit around Fewston Reservoir in the peaceful Washburn Valley - flat, well-surfaced and suitable for all abilities including pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Fewston Reservoir Loop
At just over 5 km, this is a walk you can squeeze into a lunch break or use as a gentle warm-up before tackling its bigger neighbour, Swinsty. Fewston Reservoir was completed in 1879 as one of the Washburn Valley's chain of drinking-water reservoirs serving Bradford and Harrogate.
The path hugs the shoreline for much of the way, dipping occasionally into strips of mixed woodland where you might surprise a roe deer in the early morning. The surface is good throughout - compacted gravel and woodland track - making it one of the most accessible reservoir walks in North Yorkshire.
Birdwatchers will find plenty to look at. The open water attracts wintering waterfowl including goldeneye, goosander and tufted duck, while oystercatchers and lapwings nest on the grassy margins in spring. In summer, swallows skim the surface hunting insects above the water.
The route passes through the quiet hamlet of Fewston, where the ancient church of St Michael and St Lawrence dates back to Norman times.
This loop can be combined with the Swinsty Reservoir Loop for a combined 10 km walk - see the Fewston and Swinsty Reservoir Loop route.
Key Facts
- Distance: 5.2 km (3.2 miles)
- Ascent: 46 m
- Terrain: Reservoir path, woodland track
- Start/Finish: Swinsty Moor Car Park (LS21 2NP)
- Blue-green algae blooms can occur in warm, settled weather - keep dogs out of the water in summer
- Car park can be very busy at peak times; plan to arrive before 10am on summer weekends
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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