Standing at the edge of Grimwith Reservoir

Grimwith Reservoir

Grimwith Reservoir is FAR from grim!

Set in a stunning position above Wharfedale the views from Grimwith Reservoir are simply stunning!

This circular walk is a gem!

Do you fancy a walk around Grimwith Reservoir?

Well then you are in the right place! If you love a classic reservoir circular walk with stunning views across Wharfedale, then this walk is one for you!

Grimwith reservoir is located just outside of Hebden, near Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales. It’s also the home of the Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club, so whenever we’ve been there’s always so much to see!

The engraved stone on the path around the edge of the reservoir

What are the walk details for Grimwith Reservoir?

Distance: 4.5 miles

Terrain: Easy underfoot, easily identifiable paths, well signposted. Minimal Ascent (600 feet). Can get muddy in places so walking boots/ wellies are a must!

Where to park for Grimwith Reservoir? There is a decent sized car park at the reservoir, next to the Sailing Club Car Park

Public Transport? It’s not easy to get here by public transport but during the summer months a bus does stop on a Sunday or Bank Holiday. Check out the Dales Bus website for more information.

Dog Friendly? Yes

Location: Wharfedale, the Yorkshire Dales. Nearest villages are Hebden, Appletreewick and Grassington

Map: Explorer 298 Nidderdale

What 3 Words: responded.slave.topping

Toilets/ Baby Change: Currently closed for refurbishment. There are some at the car park, but these have not been open for a while now.

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Hebden has a cafe and pub, there is also the Stump Cross Caverns cafe just down the road.

The Sailing Club at Grimwith Reservoir

Watching the sailing club at Grimwith Reservoir

The embankment at Grimwith Reservoir

Walking along the embankment

The view across Wharfedale from Grimwith Reservoir

The view across Wharfedale from Grimwith Reservoir

Walking across the footbridge at Grimwith Reservoir

How to walk around Grimwith Reservoir

Directions:

  1. This is an easily navigated walk. As with most reservoirs, the permissive path is very well signposted, wide and well maintained.

  2. From the car park, turn left and head down the road a little towards the reservoir embankment. Enter the wide grassy track that heads all the way across the embankment. At the other end, you will reach a stile and a gate. Cross this and turn right.

  3. The path heads towards an abandoned farm building, then bends left up the hill. At the top of the hill is a signpost, left heads to Grassington Road, right points to round the reservoir. Guess which one you’ll be taking…. Of course! Head right and keep following the track. The reservoir is on your right, and you will head past a cluster of pine trees, and then down to a bridge. Cross the bridge and head up the other side.

  4. You will pass another cluster of trees on your right, then head back down towards another wooden bridge. Cross this too, and at this point the path around the water heads right. Follow this!

  5. After a short distance, the path splits in two. You need to the take the path on the right, that runs closest to the water. Keep following this, past the ruins of an old farm house (take a moment to read about this place), then eventually the path will bend round to the right, heading back in the direction of the car park.

  6. You will pass some holiday cottages on your right and then the infamous Grimwith thatched barn. Then the path either continues up the track, or you can take the permissive path, which is closer to the water. Both are signposted and both take you back to the car park! Easy right?!

Last walked March 2022.

The little hut at Grimwith Reservoir

What’s cool for kids on this walk?

✨ Interesting little fact about Grimwith Reservoir, is that submerged between the water is the 18th Century farm village of Gate Up. A lot of reservoirs have abandoned villages hidden in their depths, but it never fails to give me shivers!

🍃 Some of the areas around the reservoir are designated nature reserves, so keep your eyes peeled for birds!

🐶 This walk is dog friendly.

🌳 What whinge busting wonder games can you employ to try and beat the moan factor? A circular route works a treat to make your own muddy map, or perhaps do some bird spotting in the nature reserves? If in doubt, why not try one of our printable scavenger sheets?

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

The ruins of a farmhouse next to Grimwith

The ruins of a farm house, part of the now submerged village of Gate Up

 

The wide track running around the Eastern shore of Grimwith

The wide track at the Eastern shore of Grimwith

A bench stop looking over Grimwith

Snack stop! Oh, there is nothing quite like a bit of snack bribery to get those legs going!

Hebden Beck waterfall in the Spring

Want a waterfall that’s down the road?

Our website is PACKED with kid friendly Yorkshire Dales walks. It’s not likely that you’re in a place that we haven’t been before!!

So just down the road from Grimwith Reservoir is the village of Hebden, which is the home of this rather stunning waterfall!

Want to visit?

Find our Hebden Beck walk HERE!

 

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