Scar House Reservoir in winter with snow

Scar House Reservoir

Scar House Reservoir is firmly cemented in the top spot when it comes to Reservoir walks!

With incredible views and epic history, a walk around Scar House Reservoir will make you feel like you are in a different world!

Where is Scar House Reservoir?

Located in Upper Nidderdale, right outside the boundary of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Scar House Reservoir feels like it is in its own world. With the nearest village being over a mile down the road, it really is in the middle of nowhere and as such, it’s often quieter than some of the more popular reservoir walks.

The architecture here is quite simply stunning and from experience you can witness some pretty epic waterfalls from the overflow over the embankment. We have visited in gale force winds and seen the spray of the waterfall blowing backwards, we have see it in drought where the secrets that lie underneath the water are revealed and we have seen an ACTUAL tornado here too!

Whatever the weather, there is something cool going on at Scar House!

This walk will also take you past the historical remains of an abandoned village, Lodge.

Don’t know why, but I always think a good old fashioned abandoned village adds a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ to a walk route!

The Scar House Reservoir Weirs the view down Nidderdale

The view from the top of the weirs. In periods of wet weather, the weir is insanely beauty, streaming with water and add in a bit of wind, it is simply EPIC!

The weir at the edge of Scar House Reservoir

Peeking over the castellated edge of the Scar House weir, looking down the valley.

The path along the edge of Scar House Reservoir

The wide track leading along the perimeter of Scar House Reservoir

Walk details for Scar House Reservoir

Distance: 4.5 miles

Terrain: Very easy to follow wide identifiable tracks and path. Some stony underfoot. Some areas can be muddy after wet weather, but on the whole the route is on either stony or surfaced tracks. Well signposted, with some ascent (850 feet).

Parking: At Scar House Reservoir. The actual car park is around a 10 minute drive down a private road. Access is permitted by Yorkshire Water to the parking area at the end and the road is well signposted. The car park is hard standing, with marked bays.

Public Transport: Yes, there is a bus service that occasionally runs to Scar House Reservoir but it operates on a seasonal basis. Check out the Dales Bus website for the current timetables.

Dog Friendly? Yes

Location: Upper Nidderdale.

Map: OS Explorer Nidderdale 298

What 3 Words: unites.hypocrites.sparks

Toilets/ Baby Change: Toilets are located at the car park, although we could not see any baby change facilities.

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: There is a small cafe at the car park, although we haven’t ever seen it open! There is also a gorgeous little honesty box cake stall half way down the road from Lofthouse, located at one of the farm houses! Otherwise, you will find a pub and cafe at Lofthouse, which is located at the end of the access road.

Looking up towards Angram Reservoir
Looking at the abandoned village of Lodge above Scar House

How to walk around Scar House Reservoir

Directions:

  1. This one really doesn’t need too much in the way of route guidance, as it is really well signposted all the way round. One point to note, is that when we last visited, the lower path around the reservoir was closed for maintenance. We would recommend the top path in any event, as otherwise, you’d miss out Lodge (the historical remains of the abandoned village). You could still see it, but this would mean a detour, and doubling back on yourself.

  2. From the car park, turn left on the track. On your right you will see a circular stone area containing lots of information about the construction of the reservoirs, and the history. Worth a read if you’re interested!

  3. Turn left and after a short distance, you will see the absolutely MASSIVE weir of the reservoir. Turn right and head along it. Dotted along the way are places to take in the view. Make sure you do, it’s STUNNING! Even the kids were impressed, and that’s a miracle!

  4. At the end of the track, turn left. Here is the option to take the lower or the upper route. The lower route follows the edge of the water closely. The upper follows a wide stony track above the water. Either will get you to the far end of the reservoir, but the upper route (the right of the the two) will take you directly past the ruins. The bottom won’t.

  5. We took the top track (as the lower was closed) so the guidance will describe that option!

  6. This bit is easy. Follow the wide stony track through several gates, until you reach the ruins of Lodge. You will have headed nearly to the far end of the reservoir at this point (just over a mile from the weir). Explore the ruins, there is an information board and the properties are all marked by name stones. It really is a cool little spot to stop! (Read more about it below!)

  7. Heading on from here, you will see a stream, and a signpost. You need to follow the signpost, handily marked ‘Scar House Circular’ (told you it was well signposted!) You will head left, and over a ladder stile, then after that turn right. The path will head straight towards the weir of Angram Reservoir, which you will turn left to head across.

  8. Once across to the other side, you need to turn left, and take the surfaced track all the way back to the beginning! Simple!

Last walked August 2022

Looking at one of the old buildings of the village of Lodge

What’s cool for kids about Scar House Reservoir?

✨ There are so many cool things to tell you about Scar House and Lodge (or boring things, depends on your angle!!!) Scar House Reservoir along with Angram and Gouthwaite supply water to the Bradford district, and after doing a spot of background reading, are the reasons why Nidderdale falls outside of the boundary of the National Park. Nidderdale is actually technically not part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, but IS an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Much of a muchness really, it’s bloody GORGEOUS, so who cares, come see it!

Construction began back in 1921, and took 15 years to complete! As with a lot of reservoirs, Scar House was built over a farming hamlet, which makes a reappearance in times of drought (this always sends shivers down my spine!). Lodge is another abandoned village on the edge of Scar House, and was built on the main road connecting Scotland to Eastern England. Once a thriving community, originally dating back to the 1600’s, Lodge was abandoned after the reservoir was being built in 1929, and is now a series of ruins. Although you can clearly see the remains of old ranges, doorways and floors.

👻 Want a grizzly tale about Scar House Reservoir? Well, remember the village of Lodge? You pass the ruins of the abandoned village on this walk. Well, it was once a bustling village, built right on a busy trade route that crosses Dead Man’s Hill (not ominous AT ALL!) Well, the Inn at Lodge was the place where 3 unfortunate Scottish Pedlars were brutally murdered, many MANY years ago…. and the fact that the Dead Man’s Hill trade route was the one favoured by notorious highwayman Tom Taylor…. well I’m not saying anything… Read more about the Dark History of the Dales over on the blog!

🌳 Need to bus the walking whinges? Why not try one of our tried and tested walking games? Or perhaps, print off, or screenshot one of our scavenger hunt sheets?

The view from Angram Reservoir weir towards Scar House reservoir

The view from the weir of Angram Reservoir

Helpful Information!

⭐ 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.

Scar House Reservoir in drought conditions
River Nidd Waterfalls near Lofthouse

You know what’s at the end of Scar House Reservoir road?!

A fabulous set of waterfalls on the River Nidd!

Now where you can’t paddle in Scar House Reservoir, you CAN paddle here!

We think it’s a pretty cool paddling spot!

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