Route diagram, drawn from the recorded track — for the shape of the walk, not for navigation. Carry OS Explorer on the hill.
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.
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.
A tiny hilltop pub at the very head of Nidderdale, with one of the best views in the dale from its doorstep. Dogs are welcome throughout the pub, the rooms and the small campsite behind, and wet ones are pointed towards the log burner to dry off.
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