A Dog Walk at Grimwith Reservoir
Grimwith Reservoir is tucked away in one of my favourite parts of the Yorkshire Dales. It’s a fairly level 4.5 mile circular walk that’s brilliant for dog walking. It was a rainy day yesterday when I shot these images but the beauty of the area is still visible. Here are the details if you want to get out there with your dog (and if the weather is like it was yesterday, I recommend taking a flask!)
Originally built between 1856 and 1864 by what was then the Bradford Corporation Waterworks, Grimwith Reservoir is a great circular walk. At the time, bigger supplies of water for industrial Bradford were needed, so this site was selected to tap into moorland and beck flows. By the 1960s/70s, as water demand and regulation changed, the decision was taken to expand the reservoir significantly.
Before the reservoir’s extension, the area included the hamlets of Gate Up and Grimwith which were abandoned when the water level was raised. Visible heritage remains, including a Grade II listed cruck-barn structure (of 16th-century origins) that was relocated when the reservoir was extended, and the today sits in a sensitive ecological zone: there are protected areas, and the landscape is open moorland and water. Great for walkers, nature lovers, and us dog owners who appreciate a good view!
Location & access to the reservoir is off the B6265 road between Pateley Bridge and Skipton/Grassington. There is a free car park run by Yorkshire Water (post-code BD23 5ED) next to the sailing club and facilities include accessible toilets next to the car park. There are also picnic benches around the reservoir - but yesterday was not the day for them ;)
The walk length itself is about 4.5 miles, which takes around 2-2½ hours at a comfortable pace. Dogs must be kept to the path, and in some sections on a lead. Swimming is not allowed. We let our dogs off lead and kept an eye on them for most of the walk, but there are a couple of protected areas where they need to be under tighter control, so keep an eye out for signs.
The views here are beautiful, in any weather. It’s a dramatic, windswept area with rolling hills and - in places - rocky terrain, so although its not too steep, or too muddy, still worth wearing a decent pair of walking shoes or boots. There are also no refreshments of any kind so bring your own, including water for your dog - what I would have given for a cup of tea at the halfway point!
All in all it’s a relatively easy walk, and a great area for dogs to roam off lead. We finished off our day with a pub lunch at The Narrowboat in Skipton - much needed after a fine mist of rain turned into a full pelting by the last mile.
You can find out more about Grimwith on the Yorkshire Water website and if you fancy ending your walk with a cracking pint and some hearty grub, details about The Narrowboat can be found here.
