Scar House walk

Since the government guidelines have changed, we’ve been working hard to devise a plan to keep everyone safe while enjoying our beautiful reservoirs. We’ve reopened the car parks at this reservoir so visitors can walk around them as long as social distancing rules are observed.

To help direct visitors, we’ve installed some new signs that are there for everyone to follow so please take a moment to read them.

• Please maintain social distancing when walking around the reservoir
• Please follow designated paths. The paths are there to keep you and our key workers safe.
• Some of our paths may be closed off. This is because our key workers need to access them and they will be clearly signposted that they are closed.
• Make sure you take any litter home with you and do not light any BBQs or fires.
• If the car park is full, please do not park on verges or on the road as this causes traffic issues.

All of our toilet facilities are still closed at these reservoirs so please be mindful of this when visiting.

Situated at the head of Nidderdale, this often wild yet beautiful area can be explored using this circular route around the water. Scar House Reservoir is remote and peaceful and surrounded by impressive scenery. Along this route you can also admire the impressive architecture of the neighbouring Angram Reservoir, with its dramatic arches across the spillway which flows into Scar House.

Location

Near Middlesmoor in Nidderdale, north of Pateley Bridge

Difficulty

3 out of 4

Route Length

4 miles

Walking Time

3 hours

Terrain & Gradient

A mixture of rough, uneven tracks, tarmac roads, and moorland paths. Some sections can get muddy and boggy at wetter times of year. There are some steep climbs. Sturdy boots, waterproofs and appropriate warm layers are recommended, as this is an exposed area where the weather can quickly change.

How To Get There

By car: This route starts from our free car park (Point 1), which is near the end of the reservoir dam and does not have a height barrier. To get here, follow Yorkshire Water’s private tarmac access road, which turns off to the right about 100 metres after Lofthouse village when driving towards Middlesmoor.

To get to Lofthouse Village from Pateley Bridge, follow Low Wath Road for about 7 miles.

From Masham: follow Fearby Road, which becomes Keld Bank and passes through Healey and Leighton. After Leighton Reservoir, Keld Bank becomes Pott Bank, then Pott Moor High Road, then Trapping Hill before entering Lofthouse Village, about 10 miles from Masham. Take a right at the T-junction, then look out for the Yorkshire Water access road on the right after about 150m.

By public transport: Unfortunately here is no public transport currently available to Scar House Reservoir.