Thruscross Reservoir in drought

Thruscross Reservoir

Thruscross Reservoir is the highest of the Washburn Valley Reservoirs, and the youngest.

Built in the 1960s, almost a century after the first Washburn Reservoir this family friendly walk will take you all around the edge.

Where is Thruscross Reservoir?

Thruscross reservoir is located just upstream from Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs and is the baby of the Washurn Valley reservoirs. It's remote location and elevated position means that a walk around Thruscross will almost certainly give you fabulous views across the surrounding moorland.

Located between Otley and Pateley Bridge, this is a top family friendly reservoir walk!

This guide is to be used in conjunction with a map and if required, a compass.

Walking towards the submerged ruins at Thruscross

Thruscross Reservoir walk details

Distance: under 6 miles. At the time of walking, there were still some footpaths diversions in place following Storm Arwen in 2021.

Terrain: Easily identifiable and well walked paths. A little ascent. Well maintained reservoir paths, and some moorland terrain (this will be dependant on what path diversions are in place)

Parking: Thruscross currently has a free car park, but charges are being introduced.

Public Transport? There are seasonal buses to Thruscross, that stop at the Stone House pub. To walk to the bus stop and back adds a further 2 miles to the walk. Find out more details on the Dales Bus website.

Dog Friendly? Yes

Location: Washburn Valley between Otley and Pateley Bridge

Map: OS Explorer 297 Lower Wharfedale and Washburn Valley

What 3 Words: conqueror.quibble.snoring

Toilets/ Baby Change: No

The dried up bed of the reservoir in drought

How to walk around Thruscross Reservoir

Directions to be used in conjunction with a map

  1. From the car park, exit and cross the road. There is a gap in the fence opposite, head through that and into the trees. The path is clear, waymarked and you need to follow it all the way along the Western Shore of the reservoir until you reach the ruin at West End, and the western tip of the water.

  2. The path will lead you away from the edge of the water towards the road, and you will see a footbridge to your right with metal railings that crosses Capelshaw Beck. Cross this, and the path will head very briefly along the edge of a layby on the road. On your right you will see a large wooden gate that says welcome to Thruscross reservoir on it and on the fence, a Yorkshire Water waymarker. Follow that.

  3. You will be on a wide stony path that is now headed in an Easterly direction. Follow the clear path as it heads along the edge of the reservoir and back into the trees. You will pass the ruin of a building (High Liar) out in the field to your left, and then turn to head northwards, at all times following the waymarked route. At the time there was a route diversion in place which took you out of the woodland, and out onto the moorland footpath. We actually enjoyed this diversion, as it made a nice change from the woodland for a bit!

  4. Follow the yellow waymarker over the stile and out of the trees. The path closely follows the line of the wire fence and trees on your right. It heads over a stone stepped stile and then across the moorland, again keeping the tree line and wire fence on your right. You will come across a wooden sign pointing ‘The Yorkshire Way’ and that’s the direction you need to head in.

  5. At the end of the tree line, the footpath steeply descents down steps towards the River Washburn. It crosses a bridge and then heads back up the other side past some interesting looking rocks, then heads right. The wide path heads along the centre of the moorland, keeping the tree line and Thruscross Reservoir on your right parallel to your path, at some distance away. Don’t take the path that heads leftwards, that will take you up to the road. It is a wide dirt and grassy track, which heads through ferns and heather.

  6. As you come towards the boundary wall, the path descends rightwards heading back towards the trees the line Thruscross. There is a stile over a fence that heads down a stony stepped path that descends along the wall through the trees

  7. At the bottom, turn left. Head along the edge of the water as the path leads you back towards the dam. There is a small amount of road walking towards the end of this walk to be wary of cars, but the path is clear and easy to follow. Head back across the dam to the car park.

Last walked August 2022

(Photographs were taken during the drought of Summer 2022 when water levels were extremely and unusually low.)

Climbing on felled tree stumps at Thruscross
The ruins of a building at Thruscross Reservoir
Walking along the path through the woodland
Walking out onto a rock near Thruscross

What’s cool for kids at Thruscross Reservoir?

✨ As you can see from the shots, we paid a visit to Thruscross in the Summer drought of 2022. In drought, the remains of the submerged village of West End emerge from the depths of the water and are actually pretty cool to spot! When we were there, the ruins of old buildings were high and dry. (don’t venture into thick exposed mud as you can become stuck)

👻 Which leads me neatly onto the ghost story associated with the reservoir. It is said that the reservoir is haunted by ghostly cries that rise from the ruins of the old workhouse of West End. No idea if there was in fact ever a workhouse in West End, but I am a sucker for a good ghost story! Read more Yorkshire Dales Ghost Stories over on the blog.

🌳 In need of some motivational walking games? Head to our walking games page! This is also a great walk for a stick collector! Check out our nature collector activities page!

Exploring the ruins of West End Thruscross
What lies beneath the water at Thruscross
Walking over a stile on the footpath

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.

⭐ Do not swim in reservoirs. If the photos tell you anything, it’s the amount of leftover rusting metal that you can find beneath the surface! There is also machinery, mud and the water in a reservoir will rarely warm up due to the depth and expanse of the water.

a sign emerging from the depths of the reservoir
The ruins of Bolton Abbey

What else is near Thruscross Reservoir?

Have you ever been to the Bolton Abbey Estate? Located just down the road from Thruscross Reservoir, Bolton Abbey is top place for a day out.

We have a whole page dedicated to Bolton Abbey and all of the walk trails that is has there! Why not take a look?

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