Langsett Reservoir and Hingcliff Common Circular
South Yorkshire
Langsett Reservoir sits at the head of the Little Don valley on the edge of the Peak District moors, where dogs need close control on the open access common for ground nesting birds, built to supply Sheffield with water and now ringed by conifer plantation. This 5.5km circuit from the Yorkshire Water car park at Langsett Barn follows well maintained, waymarked paths through the woods and along the reservoir shore, then climbs onto Hingcliff Common for views back across the water and towards the higher moors. Along the way it passes the ruined farm buildings at North America, a name that survives from a 19th century smallholding, and stretches of the Little Don River. There is some genuine climbing onto the common, with around 100 metres of ascent in total, on woodland tracks, reservoir path and moorland grass.
This is a well established dog friendly walk, and Langsett is known locally as a favourite spot for dog walkers, with both the Waggon and Horses pub and the Bank View cafe in the village welcoming dogs. The reservoir path gives easy, mostly flat walking where a dog with good recall can enjoy some freedom, while the climb onto Hingcliff Common is genuine open access moorland, so keep dogs under close control around any ground nesting birds, especially in spring. Dogs should not swim in the reservoir itself, as it supplies drinking water and has hidden machinery. There is a free car park with toilets at Langsett Barn, and the village pub and cafe are a short walk from the start.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.5 km (3.4 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 50 min
- Walk Type
- Reservoir, Moorland, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Toilets at Langsett Barn car park; the Waggon and Horses pub and Bank View cafe in the village are both dog friendly.
- Parking
- Free Yorkshire Water car park at Langsett Barn, Manchester Road; an alternative car park with a height barrier is at Langsett Flouch.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Langsett Reservoir and Hingcliff Common Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Weavers Cottage - Slaithwaite
Sleeps 12 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,975 / 7 nights
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Langsett Reservoir and Hingcliff Common Circular dog friendly?
Langsett is well known locally as a favourite spot for dog walkers, and this circular route earns a solid 8/10 for dog friendliness. The walk itself is well maintained and waymarked, and both the Waggon and Horses pub and the Bank View cafe in the village welcome dogs, making it easy to round off your walk with a well-earned rest.
Can dogs be off lead at Langsett Reservoir and Hingcliff Common Circular?
The flat reservoir path offers good opportunities for dogs with reliable recall to enjoy some freedom. On Hingcliff Common, however, this is open access moorland where dogs should be kept under close control, particularly in spring when ground nesting birds are present — and dogs should not enter the reservoir itself, as it supplies drinking water and contains hidden machinery.
What should I know before visiting Langsett Reservoir and Hingcliff Common Circular with my dog?
The route is 5.5km with around 100 metres of ascent, so it's a proper outing rather than a gentle stroll, taking in woodland tracks, reservoir path and moorland grass. There's a free car park with toilets at Langsett Barn, which is the recommended starting point — note that the alternative car park at Langsett Flouch has a height barrier, so check that before heading there if you're in a larger vehicle.
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