Dog-friendly walks in Middlesmoor

Six miles round both of the great head-of-dale reservoirs, crossing the Scar House dam, running west along the shore track to the older Angram dam and returning on rough moorland paths on the north side, with steep pulls, several stiles and boggy ground after rain. Start from Yorkshire Water's free car park by the Scar House dam, reached on the private toll-free road up from Lofthouse; there are toilets and picnic tables at the car park and the DalesBus 821 reaches Lofthouse on summer Sundays. Sheep graze the whole valley and curlew and golden plover nest on the moor, so dogs are on the lead throughout and should not drink from or swim in either reservoir.

Wild 4-mile lap of Yorkshire Water's great 1930s dam at the head of Nidderdale, reached by the private toll-free road from Lofthouse; add neighbouring Angram Reservoir for a 7-mile round. Good tracks along the dam and shores with rougher moorland paths on the north side. Sheep graze throughout and curlew nest on the moor, so dogs stay on leads; car park, toilets and snack van at the start.