Barden Moor from Embsay Reservoir (Short)
Open moor with big skies and a reservoir to frame the start. Compact enough for a summer evening run — good tracks throughout.
Effort: Moderate distance, manageable climb
Underfoot: Some uneven or off-path ground
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Mostly on runnable ground, but most runners still walk the steepest climbs.
A compact moorland circuit above Skipton exploring the western edge of Barden Moor, starting from Embsay Reservoir. Good tracks, wide views, and minimal climbing.
Open moor with big skies and a reservoir to frame the start. Compact enough for a summer evening run — good tracks throughout.
The route
From the car park at Embsay Reservoir dam, head east along the reservoir edge before climbing onto the open moorland of Barden Moor. Good tracks lead across the high ground with views south to Airedale before looping back to the reservoir.
Notes
This is the shorter version of the Barden Moor circuit. The longer route continues east and drops to Barden Bridge on the Wharfe.
Boggy ground on moorland sections after heavy rain. Grouse shooting area — check for seasonal closures August to December.
Summits on this route
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.
Common questions
Run by us· last checked June 2026
Jason Millward has run this route and written it up from the ground. How we check routes
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Runner reports
Nobody's logged a run here yet. If you get out on it, a few lines about how it went helps the next person plan their day.
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