Ogden Water and Ovenden Moor Circular
West Yorkshire
Ogden Water is a Victorian reservoir four miles north of Halifax where dogs must stay on a lead throughout and are kept out of the water itself, built in the 1850s to supply the growing mill town and now the centre of a 34 hectare country park run by Calderdale Council, with a visitor centre, picnic areas and conifer and broadleaf woodland around the shore. The flat reservoir circuit is only about 2km, so this 4.8km route, published by Yorkshire Water as the Ogden and Ovenden Moor walk, adds a climb out of the trees onto rough pasture and open moor to a viewpoint over the Ovenden Moor wind farm on Knoll Hill, then drops back past the golf course to the dam. Allow about two hours. The tracks at the start and end are wide and surfaced, but the middle section has stiles, steps and muddy banks, and the moor is exposed in bad weather.
This is a dog friendly walk with good facilities, but it is an on-lead outing. Yorkshire Water asks for dogs to be kept on a lead, and it is not safe for dogs to swim in or drink from the reservoir, where blue-green algae can form. Carry water for your dog. Livestock can be met on the rough pasture and moor, and ground-nesting birds breed on the moorland in spring. The woodland around the reservoir gives shade, and the busy shoreline path is full of other dogs at weekends. The visitor centre sells drinks and snacks and has toilets beside the car park.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.8 km (3.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 45 min
- Walk Type
- Reservoir, Woodland, Moorland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- None
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Visitor centre with drinks, snacks and ice cream, toilets including accessible toilets, picnic areas.
- Parking
- Ogden Water car park on Ogden Lane, run by Calderdale Council, pay and display.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Ogden Water and Ovenden Moor 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
Weavers Cottage - Slaithwaite
Sleeps 12 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £1,975 / 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 West YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Ogden Water and Ovenden Moor Circular dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk, which earns a 6/10 dog-friendly rating. The route combines shady woodland around the reservoir with open moorland and wide Pennine views, and the visitor centre near the car park is on hand for drinks, snacks and toilet facilities. It's a popular outing, and you'll likely meet plenty of other dogs on the shoreline path at weekends.
Can dogs be off lead at Ogden Water and Ovenden Moor Circular?
No — this is an on-lead walk throughout. Yorkshire Water requires dogs to be kept on leads, and this applies to the full 4.8km route including the moor section, where you may encounter livestock on the rough pasture and ground-nesting birds during spring. It's worth bearing in mind before you go if your dog finds lead walking frustrating over longer distances.
What should I know before visiting Ogden Water and Ovenden Moor Circular with my dog?
The most important thing to know is that dogs must stay on lead and should not swim in or drink from the reservoir, as blue-green algae can form in the water — so bring plenty of your own water for your dog. The middle section of the route includes stiles, steps and muddy banks, and the moor can be exposed in poor weather, so it's worth checking conditions before you head out. Parking is pay and display at Ogden Water car park on Ogden Lane, run by Calderdale Council.
Visitor Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience.
What’s Nearby?
Walk4 mi awayShibden Park and Beacon Hill Circular
West Yorkshire
Dogs explore the lake and ancient woods of Anne Lister's Shibden estate, the real home of Gentleman Jack, before a steep climb to Beacon Hill above Halifax.
Walk4.5 mi awayHaworth Moor, Brontë Waterfall and Top Withins
West Yorkshire
A Brontë pilgrimage on a lead for dogs, across heather moorland to the waterfall and the lonely ruin of Top Withins, one of Yorkshire's most atmospheric walks.
Walk4.9 mi awayHardcastle Crags and Gibson Mill Circular
West Yorkshire
Dogs get a paddle in Hebden Water for most of this wooded Pennine valley walk, up to the 19th century Gibson Mill and its cafe.
Walk5.1 mi awayHeptonstall and Colden Clough from Hebden Bridge
West Yorkshire
Dogs get canal towpath and steep woodland through the old weaving village of Heptonstall and wooded Colden Clough, ending at a very dog-friendly pub.
Walk5.3 mi awayBingley St Ives Estate Circular
West Yorkshire
Dogs get free rein across most of Bingley's 550 acre St Ives Estate, before a steep climb to the Druids Altar viewpoint over Airedale.
Walk5.3 mi awayNorland Moor and Ladstone Rock
West Yorkshire
Dogs can range mostly off lead across this short heather moorland loop above Sowerby Bridge, out to the gritstone Ladstone Rock and wide valley views.