Widdop and Gorple Reservoirs Circular
West Yorkshire
Widdop and Gorple Reservoirs lie on high open moorland above Heptonstall, where dogs must stay on a lead at all times among the sheep that graze here, in the far west of Calderdale close to the Lancashire border, where Widdop Reservoir was built in the late 19th century to supply water to the valley towns below. This 6.4km circuit climbs steeply from the car park onto the moor before curving past Lower Gorple and Upper Gorple Reservoirs, with around 200 metres of ascent. Underfoot the route moves from a surfaced track along the reservoir edge to a rockier, boggy moorland path, exposed on the open tops, before a rocky, grassy descent. Heather covers much of the moor, and curlew and red grouse are regular sights here.
This is a dog friendly walk across genuinely wild, empty moorland, though there is little chance to go off lead: Yorkshire Water asks that dogs stay on a lead at all times on its Widdop and Gorple land, both for the sheep that graze the open fell and for ground nesting birds on the moor. There is water in the becks that feed the reservoirs, though the reservoirs themselves are for water supply, not swimming. The climb is long, steep and rocky, and can feel exposed in bad weather, suiting a fit dog rather than a puppy or an older dog. There are no facilities on route: the car park is on Widdop Road, and Hebden Bridge, a few miles down the valley, has cafes and pubs afterwards.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.4 km (4.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Reservoir
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- None
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- None on route; Hebden Bridge, a few miles away, has cafes and pubs.
- Parking
- Free car park on Widdop Road (Yorkshire Water land), no height barrier.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Widdop and Gorple Reservoirs 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
Waterfall Cottage - Barnoldswick
Sleeps 4 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £551 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in West YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Widdop and Gorple Reservoirs Circular dog friendly?
Widdop and Gorple Reservoirs Circular is a genuinely wild and rewarding walk for dogs, earning a 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. It offers real open moorland, big Pennine skies and water in the becks along the way — just be aware that leads are required throughout, and the terrain is best suited to fit, confident dogs rather than puppies or older dogs.
Can dogs be off lead at Widdop and Gorple Reservoirs Circular?
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times across the Widdop and Gorple estate — this is a Yorkshire Water requirement, in place to protect the sheep that graze the open moorland and the ground-nesting birds such as curlew and red grouse that live here. There is very little opportunity to let dogs run free on this route, so if off-lead time is a priority it's worth bearing that in mind before you visit.
What should I know before visiting Widdop and Gorple Reservoirs Circular with my dog?
This is a tough 6.4km circuit with around 200 metres of ascent, moving from a surfaced reservoir track onto rocky, boggy moorland paths that can feel exposed in poor weather — it suits a fit dog rather than a very young or elderly one. There are no facilities on route, so bring water for your dog (the reservoirs are for water supply and not for swimming, though the becks can provide a drink); Hebden Bridge, a few miles down the valley, has cafes and pubs for a well-earned stop afterwards. Parking is free in the Yorkshire Water car park on Widdop Road, with no height barrier.
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