Scar House Reservoir Circular
North Yorkshire
Scar House Reservoir sits at the very head of Nidderdale, ten miles north of Pateley Bridge, where dogs must stay on a lead throughout, and where Bradford Corporation spent fifteen years from 1921 building a masonry dam more than a million tonnes in weight, 55 metres above the river and almost 600 metres long. At its peak, the construction camp of Scar Village was home to more than 1,250 people; its village hall was later moved down the dale to Darley. This 6.4km Yorkshire Water circuit crosses the dam and loops round the reservoir, with views up to Angram Reservoir and the dramatic arches across its spillway. The first and last stretches are wide surfaced tracks with a gentle incline; the far side is hilly, unsurfaced moorland path that gets muddy and boggy in wet weather, with some steep climbs. Allow about three hours.
This is a dog friendly walk in big, open country, and dogs are welcome, but Yorkshire Water asks for them to be kept on a lead, and swimming in the reservoir is not allowed for people or dogs. The upper dale is open moorland where sheep graze and ground-nesting birds breed in spring, so the lead rule makes sense here anyway. There is little shade, so carry water for your dog on warm days. The free Yorkshire Water car park near the dam has toilets and a picnic area, and is reached by a private tarmac road from Lofthouse.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.4 km (4.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Reservoir, Moorland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Toilets, disabled toilets and picnic area at the Yorkshire Water car park.
- Parking
- Scar House car park, Yorkshire Water, free, reached by a private tarmac road from Lofthouse.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Scar House Reservoir Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Wayside Cottage - Kettlewell
Sleeps 3 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £572 / 7 nights
Duck Cottage - Grewelthorpe
Sleeps 2 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £620 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in North YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Scar House Reservoir Circular dog friendly?
Dogs are welcome on this 6.4km circuit around Scar House Reservoir at the head of Nidderdale, and it earns a 7/10 for dog friendliness. It's big, open country with dramatic moorland scenery, though Yorkshire Water does ask that dogs are kept on a lead throughout, and swimming in the reservoir is not permitted for dogs or people.
Can dogs be off lead at Scar House Reservoir Circular?
No — Yorkshire Water requires dogs to be kept on a lead for the entire route. This is a sensible rule in practice too, as the surrounding moorland is open sheep-grazing country, and ground-nesting birds breed here in spring, so a lead is advisable regardless.
What should I know before visiting Scar House Reservoir Circular with my dog?
The walk takes around three hours, and while the first and last stretches are on wide, surfaced tracks, the far side of the reservoir involves hilly, unsurfaced moorland path that can get muddy and boggy in wet weather, with some steep climbs. There's very little shade on the route, so bring water for your dog on warm days. The free Yorkshire Water car park near the dam has toilets and a picnic area, and is reached via a private tarmac road from Lofthouse.
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Scar House Car Park, Scar House Reservoir, Lofthouse, Harrogate HG3 5SW
54.1854, -1.8938
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