Weekend walk to enjoy from Middlesmoor in Nidderdale

AT the head of Nidderdale are two remote reservoirs surrounded by bleak moorland. The circuit of both and an exploration of the upper end of Nidderdale make for an enjoyable walk, full of history, cracking views and exploration.

There is parking in the village of Middlesmoor at the road end. From here head north west along a good track, used by farmers and workers on the reservoirs.

The track climbs steadily to Rain Stang (the trig point at nearly 1,500 feet is just off path to the right) before the views open up impressively to the north and back down the valley near How Stean Gorge to the left.

From the high point the track carries on for a few hundred metres before dropping steeply towards the first of the two man-made bodies of water in the Upper Nidd. Scar House Reservoir was completed in 1936 and provides water for Bradford, plenty of it as the dam wall itself is nearly 200 feet high.

The reservoirs have excellent fishing, with brown trout the most common catch and for the walker it is also a fine location for bird watching. On arrival at the reservoir head west (left) alongside the waters till arriving at the second reservoir Angram. Go no further west. Ahead is bleak country, peat hagged moorland. I once visited, never again!

Cross the dam of Angram Reservoir and head north east (right) along a path soon turning in to a good track to the north of Scar House Reservoir. On reaching the track let your imagination take over at what has become known as the ‘Lost Village of Lodge’. Remains exist of a village that almost certainly dated back to the Middle Ages. During the summer of 2016 archaeologists discovered remains that confirmed its ancient beginnings.

Scar House, Upper Nidd

In the 19th century Lodge was a busy community, situated well on a well-travelled pack horse route, with many nearby farms and a bustling community, even before the arrival of the reservoir builders. Now most, but not all, is buried under the reservoirs. Remains (including a narrow gauge railway) of the reservoir works are more visible. A truly fascinating history.

More walks

Country walks: Hebden Bridge reservoirs and moorland

From the lost village follow the excellent track east to the end of Scar House Reservoir and then take the footpath which climbs for 100 m ignoring the main track dropping to the dam. The path (part of the Nidderdale Way) heads over the wonderfully name Woo Gill. It is near here that three tinkers’ bodies were once discovered, headless, in a place known as Dead Man’s Hill!

Moors shooting lodge in Upper Nidd. Images: Jonathan Smith

Turn left and climb to the high path on the rim of the dale. I do prefer this high route purely for the views both behind you to the west and ahead to the south but there are alternatives lower in the valley itself.

The path meets a shooters track and carries on its southerly course, sticking close to the rim of the Nidd valley. After a further mile the track arrives at the spectacularly situated Shooters Lodge, from here take the bridleway steeply downhill, into the valley at Thrope Farm.

Cross the River Nidd at the farm and walk for a quarter of a mile alongside the river before taking the footpath to your right, this sting in the tail climbs nearly 200 feet back in to the village of Middlesmoor.

Fact Box:

Distance: Roughly 12 miles

Height to Climb: 450m (1,480 feet)

Start: SE 092743. There is a small car park at the top end of Middlesmoor.

Difficulty: A long day but on good tracks and paths throughout. A couple of steep, short climbs.

Refreshments: The Crown at Middlesmoor is an excellent, traditional Dales pub, great for walkers.

Upper Nidd map. Jonathan Smith

Be Prepared: The route description and sketch map only provide a guide to the walk. You must take out and be able to read a map (O/S Explorer 298) and in cloudy/misty conditions a compass (essential on this walk). You must also wear the correct clothing and footwear for the outdoors. Whilst every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers head out at their own risk.

* Jonathan runs Where2walk, a walking company based in the Yorkshire Dales:

He has written three books on walking in the Dales; ‘The Yorkshire 3 Peaks’, ‘The Dales 30’ mountains and the long distance path ‘The Bracken Way. Buy them direct from Where2walk

Jonathan runs Navigation Training Courses. The first Beginners Course of 2026 is on Saturday, March 14 from Long Preston, near Settle.

You can now buy Dales 30 T-shirts and caps from the NEW Dales 30 website.

Where2walk.co.uk features hundreds of walks with descriptions across Yorkshire and beyond, from easy strolls to harder climbs. Visit the website for details of all these walks and guiding days.