Looking into Guisecliffe Tarn, Nidderdale

Guisecliff Tarn

Guisecliffe Tarn can be found nestled on the hillside just above Glasshouses, near Pateley Bridge in Nidderdale. It’s a super peaceful place for a snack stop and stone throw!

This circular walk starts and ends in Glasshouses.

Looking for a walk to Guisecliff Tarn?

Then here is our super family friendly circular walk to Guisecliffe Tarn! Just what you were looking for right?

Found in Nidderdale, above Glasshouses near Pateley Bridge this stunningly peaceful tarn is a great spot for a little stone throwing break. Guisecliffe Tarn and the surrounding area is SSSI and is a rare habitat for so much NATURE! This circular walk takes you through some magical lush green woodland and offers stunning views across Nidderdale National Landscape.

It’s the perfect walk to tag onto a day out in Pateley Bridge!

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Thank you for taking the time to have a look at my website and for reading this now!

I set up the Reluctant Explorers and maintain the website and attached social media accounts in my spare time, around mum-life and two jobs. It was designed to provide access for parents to free resources to help get more families outside and exploring in nature. These walks have all been created by myself and the kids and we have walked each one ourselves (and re-walk them regularly to keep the information as up to date as we can).

If you would like to support us and can afford a few pennies, you can make a donation to our ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ page. Simply tap the button below to head there!

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Climbing across mossy rocks underneath a bare tree

There are some excellent climbing trees to be found in the woods. Think proper Lord of the Rings vibes.

Walk details for Guisecliff Tarn

Distance: 3 miles

Terrain: For the most part, well walked footpaths. The paths through the woodland can get VERY muddy. There is some ascent at the start of this walk.

Parking: On street parking in Glasshouses near Glasshouses Dam. Do not block access to gateways or properties. It is limited, so if you can’t get parked, head into Pateley Bridge for either our Fishpond Woods Walk or our St Mary’s Ruins walk!

Public Transport: Nearest bus stop is Glasshouses Lane End. Check out the bus timetable on the Harrogate Transdev Bus website.

Dog friendly? Yes, dogs to be kept under close control

Location: Glasshouses near Pateley Bridge, Nidderdale

What 3 Words: type.wound.gently

Toilets/ Baby Change: Nearest is Pateley Bridge.

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Nearest is Pateley Bridge.

Jumping from one rock to another with Nidderdale in the background

A couple of great leaping rocks on the ascent to Guisecliff Woods

How to walk to Guisecliff Tarn

Directions (To be used alongside a map)

  1. Wherever you manage to park, head down to the road bridge over the River Nidd near Glasshouses Dam. This is your starting point (also the what 3 words location for the parking)

  2. Continue over the bridge. The road you are on bends round to the right in the direction of Bewerley. At this point take the residential road that forks off this road, heading left.

  3. Follow that lane as it heads leftwards. You will pass a property on your left, then a farm on your right. There is a little pond on your right and then just after that, a farm track that shoots off to the right uphill.

  4. Follow this track as it climbs to a metal gate, then go through. Turn left after the gate, the path follows the perimeter of the field heading up the hill.

  5. At the top of the field you will reach a metal gate in the wall. Go through this and turn right. The grassy track is wide and easy to spot and takes you through the ferns. It heads uphill in a zig zag until it reaches the very top right hand corner of the field where there is another metal gate with a yellow waymarker on it. Head through this gate and into the woodland of Guiscliff Tarn.

  6. Here the path is wide and easy to follow however there are a number of fallen trees that you will have to clamber over. We think this makes it all the better!

  7. Head past the remains of the old quarry where there is loads to explore and lots of trees to climb! The path will begin to descend towards the tarn. Take a little wander to edge where there are some great picnic spots!

  8. After the tarn, head past the giant rocks, keeping then on your left. The path continues down through the woodland then bends round to the left. Rather than following this as it leads straight on, head right continuing downhill on the wide muddy track.

  9. You will continue down until you reach the lower wall of the woodland, where the path turns right and heads along the wall until there is a gap in it on your left and some stone steps down towards some houses. Head along the narrow walled path until you reach the access track to the properties.

  10. Here continue down the lane as it passes some more properties and then winds back down towards Glasshouses.

Last walked March 2023

Walking towards the water of the tarn with a giant rock next to

The rocks next to Guiscliff Tarn

Walking down the track back to Glasshouses

What’s cool for kids on this walk?

🐸 In the Spring, this is a great place to go frog hunting and you can find plenty of frog spawn too!

🍄 This is an ace fungus hunting walk!

🌲 There may not be a park on this walk, but there are plenty of trees to climb! The nearest park is in Pateley Bridge down the road, you can park at the honesty box car park for just a pound.

🍫 If you do go, make sure to check out the Oldest Sweet Shop and the Pancake House. It’s got epic pancakes and ice cream to eat in or take out.

🌳 why not try one of our walking games? Or you can download a free scavenger sheet!

Helpful Information!

For more helpful information head to our safety tips and advice page.

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! These walks are intended as a guide only and are undertaken at your own risk. The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. If in doubt, turn back. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS or your phone 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.

⭐ If you choose to paddle, be aware of bio security. Always wear clean dry water shoes (if worn) to avoid cross contamination of species between watercourses, this is a particular issue in the Yorkshire Dales, to help protect the white clawed crayfish.

⭐ If you decide to paddle, be aware that wild water can be dangerous, and water levels will vary season to season. Always supervise children around water. Check out the safety information on the Royal Life Saving Society website.

Child sitting in the tree

Want to grab the route?

Head to the Ordnance Survey Navigation App where you can download the route!

(Always carry a back up map and know how to use it)

Image is Copyright of Ordnance Survey

Tap here to head to the Ordnance Survey Route
A hand holding an ice cream next to a bridge on a sunny day

Staying in the Pateley Bridge area?

We have a Visit with Kids guide to provide you with all the family friendly inspiration you need! Think family friendly walks, local attractions and importantly, where to find the ice cream (and the play park!)

There are two guides covering this area and the nearby areas so why not check out our…

Visit Pateley Bridge with Kids

Visit Grassington with Kids

Tap here to head to our visit with kids guides

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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Leave No Trace

The Yorkshire Dales is our home, and the home of so many others who care deeply about this beautiful space.

Should you visit, make sure to:

Take home anything you bring, leave no rubbish behind.

Make the world a better place by picking up any rubbish you see, even if it isn’t yours.

Leave everything else as you found it.

Help us to protect our wild spaces.