Grimwith Reservoir Walk Guide

The Grimiwth Reservoir, located in the Yorkshire Dales, is owned by Yorkshire Water, which I didn’t realise until I got there. Having recently walked three others of their reservoirs, I became curious to see what the walk around the Grimwith Reservoir was like in comparison.

It’s very very different. It is also hands down my favourite. Unlike the other reservoirs, you don’t walk under any woodland around Grimwith. It’s all open, surround by rolling moorland. I also felt a sort of eery but etherial quality to parts of it.

Looking across the calm grey water of the Grimiwith Reservoir, in the Yorkshire Dales, on the walk around it. There is a small farm house on the bank on the left of it, and lots of ducks on the surface of the water.

Looking across the Grimiwith Reservoir, with a few ducks on the water, and woodland trees on the other side, on the circular walk around it.

A stream of water on the left, with the Grimwith reservoir ahead past the dead orange fern, halfway through the circular walk.

A stream of water flowing downhill through the valley when walking around the Grimiwith Reservoir. There are lots of rocks in the stream.

I have since walked around the Scar House Reservoir, and it’s tied favourite with Grimwith. They are fairly similar, surrounded by the moors and with moody vibes. You can read about that one here. Since then I tried out the Wessended Reservoir, which is down in the Peak District. That is now my official favourite. You can read about Wessenden here.

When walking around the Grimwith Reservoir, you will pass by a few forgotten huts and buildings, with little signs telling you about their history.

Two barns on the moorland hill. One of them has a thatched roof.

A farm building across the water, with a moorland hill rising behind it.

What I’m going to do in this guide, is give you a bit of an overview of the walk around the Grimwith Reservoir, with logistics and map. Then I will describe the route, showing you what you will see with lots of photos. At the end, I will share the links to the other reservoirs, if you want to take a look

How long is the walk around Grimwith Reservoir?

The walk around the Grimiwith Reservoir is just under 4.5 miles long. It’s an easy route, and takes about 1h20 min to complete the full circular. The majority is on a well surfaced path, with a few sections that are slightly more rugged.

A narrow path cutting across the side of the hill, with the Grimwith Reservoir at the bottom on the left, part way though the walk.

A wide path leading towards the moorland hills and woodland trees. There are lots of people walking along the path ahead.

A wide path curving ahead to the left, lined with grass banks, and a stone wall on the right. There is a barn up the hill to the right.

Early on in the walk, the path was a little waterlogged in places, and there were a few puddles here and there, although, I had heard on the news on the way over, that we have just had the wettest March on record.

A path on the right, with the water on the left and woodland trees ahead. The path has some puddles of water on it.

Is Grimwith reservoir dog friendly?

Yes, the Grimwith Reservoir is a dog friendly place to walk. Everyone walking around it, except me, had a dog. They are allowed off lead for the majority of it, with only a couple of small sections that they need to be back on lead (I will show you where, when I describe the walk below). Although, no one actually did that. Dogs must also be kept to the main path. They are not allowed on the surrounding moorland due to ground nesting birds.

There are no stiles, and I didn’t see any livestock.

A wooden trail signpost on the green, and a path down to the left leading towards the water. There are three black dogs on the green.

Parking to walk around Grimwith Reservoir

There is one car park, called New rd parking. At the time of writing, it is free. However, I know that Yorkshire Water have been planning to start charging for their car parks. I must get to all the others before that happens.

Once you enter the reservoir grounds, it’s a bit of a drive along the road until you reach it. It felt a little like I was driving to a private, hidden secret.

I have read that there are good toilets there, but I didn’t see any, so I’m highly confused. There is also a height barrier.

Logistics

Start/Finish: New rd parking
Where is it: The Grimwith Reservoir is located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, between Grassington and Pateley Bridge. Post code: BD23 5ED.
Public Transport: No

Distance: 4.3 miles
Time: 1h 20min
Terrain: Well maintained path, dirt trail, grass.

Difficulty: Easy
Amenities: I didn’t see any. But apparently there are toilets.
Time of year: I walked it in early spring

Map for the walk around Grimwith Reservoir

You can find my more detailed route map for the Grimwith Reservoir walk on AllTrails

A guide to walking around the Grimwith Reservoir

I decided to walk around the Grimwith Reservoir anticlockwise, for no reason other than the path that way leads straight from the car park. You can’t miss it.

The road leading straight ahead and up, from the car path. There are two blue Yorkshire water signs on the left. There are woodland trees and a stone wall lining the road on the left, and a group of woodland trees ahead to the right.

The first thing I noticed when I got there, was the wooden picnic benches nestled within the trees, and all the sail boats in the water.

A wooden picnic bench nestled within the small leafless trees, with a view tor the reservoir below, and the moorland hills on the other side.

Up the road path, and through the gate, you will get a better view down to the reservoir.

Looking through some tree branches down to the Grimiwith Reservoir, at the start of the walk around it. There are a few sail boats in the water.

Then at the junction, take the left to walk down to it. You will get a view to the farm building on the other side of the reservoir from here (more on that in a minute).

I also really needed a cheeky wee. Looking down to the reservoir, I realised that it was all open. No where to hide. I’m really curious to know if there actually is a toilet at the car park now.

Walk to the huts

A short way along, you will also get a view to some thatched roofed huts on the corner with a backdrop of some small gentle undulating hills.

A narrow path winding down the side of the hill, with the water to the left, and a small barn ahead on the corner of the water.

A thatched roofed barn on the green, on the edge of the reservoir.

This one is called High Laithe. My bad, it’s actually a barn. The thatched roof is made of heather, and it is thought that this one is about 400 years old.

Fun Fact: Laithe is the viking word for barn.

The farmhouse

Just past the barn is Grimwith House, which is an abandoned farmhouse. The last family to live here, moved out in the 1970’s when the reservoir was expanded. This area is now an important nature area, with thousands of birds feeding and breeding here. The main ones are Greylag Goose and Wigeons.

I definitely noticed more birds around this area.

Looking across the water to a farm house on a finical of land in the water, and some woodland trees to the left, and the moorland hills rising on the other side.

The ruins

Part way along the other side of the reservoir, you will reach the building ruins. This one was part of a hamlet called Gate Up, which is now under the water. It is thought that it dates back to the 17th Century.

Building ruins surround by a wire fence, with a couple of small leafless trees next to it.

I still needed a wee at this point (a poo as well, but that’s another issue). There were a lot of dogs about, and I was a little jealous when I saw them cocking their legs. Why can’t I be a dog?

The dog on lead section

Someway past the ruins, you will reach the dog on lead section. It’s quite obvious with a wooden fence and big sign. I particularly liked this little section. The way the path cuts across the side of the hill, with a view to a woodland cluster ahead.

A blue sign saying 'wildlife area, please keep your dog on a lead'.

the reservoir on the left and a hill side on the right, with a path running along the side of it.

It’s not too long before you are out of of it though, so your dog can roam off lead again.

Walk around the corner of the Grimwith Reservoir

The path will take you around and over a little bridge, with a lovely view of the stream flowing down into the reservoir.

A gravel type path leading through a dip in the hills, and a small wooden bridge ahead to the left.

A stream, of water filled with rocks, flowing into the Grimiwith Reservoir, partway through the circular walk around it. There are woodland trees up the hill to the right/

I had fully expected to be walking through the woodland next, That would be my wee opportunity, but the path actually takes you around it. I can’t complain too much though, as it was all very pretty.

A dirt path surrounded by dead orange fern, with a small hill ahead, with trees dotted about.

Looking down across the orange coloured fern and grass, to the reservoir with rippling water. The moorland hill rises up on the other side, with a path of green leaved woodland to the left.

The wee

Once on the other side of the woods, hidden from the reservoir, I had a good view in both directions. I had the all clear, so did my wee. It felt great.

A rugged path leading uphill, with a wire fence and woodland trees to the left.

Next on the agenda was the poo. I planned to hold this one in. I have never done a poo on a hike (not that I haven’t needed to). Today was not the day to break that.

Walk back down to the reservoir

The path takes you uphill a little, then at the junction, turn left, to walk back down to the reservoir and past another hut (or should I say barn). This is the other dog on lead section.

A stoney dirt path winding uphill, surround by wild grass, and a stone wall to the left. There are a couple of people walking up the path ahead.

The path leading down and past a stone walled barn, with the water visible through a gap between the barn and trees.

A dirt track type trail, lined with tufts of grass and stone walls.

The grassy bit

Through the next gate (where dogs can roam free again), you will be walking on a large area of grass. Surprisingly, this bit wasn’t that wet or muddy. After the big puddles from earlier, and knowing that we have just had the wettest month, I would have expected more.

A large area of grass, with a short wall to the left. There are a couple of people walking their dogs ahead.

A sandy bank patch of the side of the Grimiwith Reservoir, with its rippling water, near the end of the walk around it. The moorland hills rise up on the other side of the reservoir.

Slightly further along, there is a steep bank. It looked like a good place for snow sledding. Or just log rolling down. The views are pretty cool too.

Looking down and across the underling fields, with a patch of woodland trees, and a small barn at the bottom of the hill.

At the end of the grass section, you will reach the road. Take a left, up a small hill, and you will be back at the car park.

The water lined with a stone bank, and the road leading uphill to the right of it.

When I got back, I saw a dog doing a poo. Now he’s just showing off.

More local reservoir walks

Over in Nidderdale (just next door), you could try out the Thruscross Reservoir. On that one you have a bit of reservoir path walking, and a bit of moorland walking. If you read that guide, you will see that I didn’t actually enjoy it. But that was more to do with the weather. If I remove the weather aspect, it’s good.

Two popular ones are Fewston and Swinsty. These are next to each other, so you can do them both for a big walk, or just pick your favourite. Also located in Nidderdale.

Read more: Best walks around Nidderdale AONB

For more types of walks across the Yorkshire Dales, you can find the best routes I recommend in the Dales here.

If you enjoy reservoir walks, then there are a few good ones to choose from down in the Peak District, which you can find on my Peak District walking guide here.

Pin it for later: Grimwith Reservoir walking guide

Grimiwith Reservoir walk guide in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

You can find out more about the reservoirs of the Yorkshire Water website.