Haslingden Grane Reservoirs and Lost Village Circular
Lancashire
Haslingden Grane is a steep-sided valley on the A6177 between Blackburn and Haslingden, flooded in stages by the Calf Hey, Ogden and Holden Wood reservoirs. Grazing land and stiles line the upper moorland stretch, so a dog goes on a lead there, though reservoir paths lower down are easier. In the 1800s around 1,300 people lived here in scattered hamlets and farms, with a school, chapel, pub, three mills and a church, and the upper valley was known for illegal whisky distilling. The building of Ogden Reservoir between 1903 and 1912 emptied the valley, and today the walk passes the excavated ruins of Hartley House and Lower Ormerods, old chapel gravestones near Calf Hey and a string of roofless farmsteads. This 9km circuit from Clough Head follows the reservoir shores, climbs through conifer plantations and old quarries on the Rossendale Way, and crosses rough moorland edges with long views down the valley. Paths are good by the water but boggy higher up.
This is a dog friendly walk with plenty of variety. The reservoir tracks and woodland give moderate off-lead potential for a dog with reliable recall, but the higher ground is rough grazing and there are stiles, so expect to lead up when crossing fields and moorland edges. The reservoirs are deep and cold, so keep dogs out of them and use the small streams feeding them instead. The plantations give shade on warm days. Clough Head has a cafe and toilets, and the car park gates close in the early evening, so check the time before setting off.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.0 km (5.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 50 min
- Walk Type
- Reservoir, Historic, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Cafe and toilets at Clough Head visitor centre; the Holden Arms pub on Grane Road near Holden Wood Reservoir.
- Parking
- Clough Head car park on Grane Road (A6177), gates close at 5pm; smaller Calf Hey car park nearby.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Haslingden Grane Reservoirs and Lost Village Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Lower Mount Farm - On The Tops
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £669 / 7 nights
Cross Keys Inn Cottages - One Dorchester Drive
Sleeps 5 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £423 / 7 nights
Waterfall Cottage - Barnoldswick
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £551 / 7 nights
Booking links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Prices are a guide only and change with dates and availability.
All dog friendly stays in LancashireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Haslingden Grane Reservoirs and Lost Village Circular dog friendly?
Haslingden Grane scores 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness, making it a solid choice for most dogs. The reservoir shore paths and conifer plantations offer good walking with moderate off-lead potential, though the higher moorland sections involve rough grazing and stiles, which means leads are needed in places. It's a varied circuit with plenty to keep both you and your dog interested.
Can dogs be off lead at Haslingden Grane Reservoirs and Lost Village Circular?
Dogs with reliable recall can enjoy stretches off lead along the reservoir tracks and through the woodland plantations. The upper moorland and field sections are a different story — grazing land and stiles mean you'll need to keep your dog on the lead when crossing those areas. Think of it as a mixed walk rather than a fully off-lead one.
What should I know before visiting Haslingden Grane Reservoirs and Lost Village Circular with my dog?
The reservoirs are deep and cold, so it's best to keep dogs out of the water and steer them towards the small streams feeding the reservoirs instead. Paths are good by the water but get boggy higher up, so waterproof boots are wise on wet days. One important practical note: the Clough Head car park gates close in the early evening (around 5pm), so check the time before you set off to avoid getting caught out.
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