A Guide to the Walk around Agden Reservoir

The Agden Reservoir was my second reservoir walk of the day. There are a bunch of reservoirs all fairly near each other, and all fairly short, so I had set out with the idea of walking four of them….

Looking through a gap in the tree branches to the water of Agden Reservoir, part way through the circular walk around it. The branches shave green leaves. there is green woodland trees son the other side of the reservoir.

I ended up only walking two. I was a bit ambitious. It was actually the hunger and heat which cut my trip short. All my food was finished after the first one, and by the time I had walked around Agden Reservoir, I was hungry again. I had also come out here with long black clothes, not realising how hot it was going to be. I was sweaty and gross by the end.

The other reservoir I walked (before Agden), was Dale Dike. Just 5 min down the road. Between the two, I probably preferred that one, which was purely down to there being less people and no road walking.

What I’m going to do now, is give you a bit of an overview of what to expect on the walk around Agden Reservoir, with full logistics, a map, and tips. I will then go on to describe the route step by step with photos so you can see what it’s like. At the end, I will share some other reservoirs I recommend .

What to expect on the walk around Agden Reservoir

The first half of the walk around Agden Reservoir, I found incredibly peaceful, passing by no one else. It is also the rugged section. Very rugged, with some steep bits where, if the mud is wet, you need to be carful not to slip and fall in. It was very mossy, with stone walls, and some bits where the leaves on the trees were so luminous green, they almost seemed fake. It was wonderful.

Trees leaning over the trail, with bright green leaves, on the walk around the Agden Reservoir. The trees are on the left, and there is a moss covered stone wall on the right.

A dirt trail covered in fallen brown leaves, leading through a hole in the bush.

The trail on the other side of the reservoir, is definitely easier. With a mix of easy path and tidier woodland ground. This was the side where the people were, with easy entry points into the water (more on that in a minute). If you want to sit down, this is the side to do it on. The ground allows for it better here.

To circle around the other end of the Agden Reservoir, you need to walk on the road, and have a couple of hills to tackle. Nothing too dramatic through.

You will be under tree cover for almost the whole route around the reservoir.

Big tree trunks leaning to the right, over the blue water of the Agden Reservoir, when walking on the dirt trail to the left.

Looking through a gap in the green leaved tree branches, to the blue water of the Agden Reservoir, near the start of the walk.

A thin stip of the Agden reservoir, on the circular walk around it. The reservoir is surrounded by green bushy trees.

Is it safe to swim?

No, you are not allowed to swim in Agden Reservoir. There is machinery under the water, strong undercurrents, and blue green algae. However, there were people on the water. On their SUPS and little boats. Is this allowed? I don’t know. I couldn’t see anything on Yorkshire Waters website forbidding it.

A blue sign warning of Blue-Green Algae in the reservoir.

Is is dog friendly?

There are no stiles or livestock. I don’t have a dog, but the Agden Reservoir seemed pretty dog friendly, and there were a bunch of dog walkers about. I did pass a sign saying to keep dogs on lead at all times, however, not a single person I saw had their dog on a lead. There was no explanation as to why dogs must be kept on a lead. The only thing I can think of is the algae in the water.

A blue sign warning dog owners to keep their dogs on leads.

Is it pram friendly?

No. Well, one side of Agden Reservoir has a small bit which is pram friendly to walk, but most of the way around is way too rugged.

A woodland hillside, with bright green leaves on the trees, on the walk around the Agden Reservoir.

Parking to walk around Agden Reservoir

There is no official car park next to Agden Reservoir, but there are tonnes of places you can park on the road side, or you can park in the car park in Low Bradfield which is about 5-10min walk away. It’s also free to park there. To do the full circular around Agden Reservoir, you have to walk through Low Bradfield anyway. Just a note, when I walked by, it was full.

If you want to park on the roadside by the reservoir, there is a lot of space on the east side. Most people had parked there. I chose the other side. If in doubt, find another parked car, and go behind them. Power in numbers.

A road with two parked cars, next to the Agden Reservoir. the road is lined with green leafy trees. Rays of light are shining down through the trees.

Tips

If I was to walk Agden Reservoir again, I would do a C shape, instead of full circular through Low Bradfield. That way I would avoid the road section. However, if you want to make a day of it and finish at the cafe or bistro in the village, then you might as well park in Low Bradfield and do the full route.
Hiking boots if you want to walk all the way around, due to the terrain.
Phone signal is spotty. Best look up what you need before you get there.

Logistics

Start/finish: I parked on the roadside on the south west corner. On Windy Bank road. There is an entrance to the trail just there. But feel free to pick somewhere else.
Where is it: Agden Reservoir is located in the north east area of the Peak District, near to Sheffield. The local village is Low Bradfield. Post code for the car park in Low Bradfield is S6 6LA.
Pubic transport: Yes. Buses 61 and 62 come here from Hillsborough.
Distance: 2.6 miles
Time: 1h
Terrain: Rugged, dirt, mud, tree roots, road, steps.
Elevation: One side of the reservoir is flat, the other side has some serious undulations. There is a hill and steps in and out of Low Bradfield.
Amenities: None around the reservoir itself. In Low Bradfield there are public toilets, a cafe, bar and bistro, and ice cream van (probably weather and day dependant).
Time of year: I walked Agden Reservoir in spring

Map for the circular walk around Agden Reservoir

Route Description to walk around Agden Reservoir

I will show you the route starting from the south west corner of the reservoir, where there is an entry point onto the trail…

Looking across the Agden Reservoir at the start of the walk around it. There is a hill covered in green leafy trees on the other side.

Walk the south west side of Agden Reservoir

Through the opening in the stone wall, the trail takes you to the left. You can’t go right.

The entrance in the wall, leading to the reservoir. The wall and entrance is engulfed by green leafy bushes.

A dirt trail surround by green leafy bushes, and a big tree trunk on the right.

I didn’t know what to expect when I came to walk around Agden Reservoir, and thought I had got lucky with Dale Dike being so peaceful. Well to my surprise, Agden Reservoir was just the same. With only the sounds of birds chirping, and ducks quacking.

Two ducks swimming on top of the rippling water of the Agden Reservoir, on the circular walk around it.

I was also surprised to find it was just as rugged as Dale Dike, and soon discovered it was even more so.

Wonderful nature

It all felt so lush (spring might have something to do with that). With all the green from the leaves, and the moss on the stone walls and ground.

A dirt trail, with woodland trees to the right and a moss covered stone wall to the left.

A dirt trail lined with big trunked trees on the left and the Agden reservoir to the right, part way through the walk.

A dirt trail surround by trees, with a hill bank on the left and reservoir to the right.

Not far along, the trail is more on a downhill slope with nothing to stop you falling into the reservoir if you slipped.

Looking down the dirt hill, with trigly trees lining the bottom to the right, with the reservoir below.

One section I found to be incredibly magical, with the leaning trees with leaves so luminous they didn’t seem real. It reminded me of some photos I have seen of ‘Instagram vs reality’. Where they showed this place in Japan with luminous green, where in reality it was not. I can tell you, that these ones really were that green.

The trail will take you higher up, on some very steep muddy bits, with a view down to the reservoir through the tree gaps.

A dirt woodland hill filled with trees with bright green leaves, when walking around the Agden Reservoir.

Looking down through a gap in the green leaved trees, to the reservoir below.

Before taking you down again, and through a little gate to reach the bridge crossing.

A wooden bridge over the stream of water, surround by green leaved bushes and trees.

Walk the north east side of Agden Reservoir

After the bridge crossing, you will start off on a dirt trail, which is pretty immaculate compared to what came before. This is where I came across my first people.

A wide dirt path lined with thin trunked, straggly trees.

A wide dirt path with a hedge on the left and stone wall on the right.

Keep an eye out for the wooden gate on the right, and go through it to walk back down to the Agden Reservoir edge.

A dirt trail leading g to the left and a green leafed covered fence to the right, with a wooden gate. — Go through that gate

When you get back down to the reservoir, if you turn right, you will find a rope swing. I didn’t go over there as it was occupied. To continue on the circular route, turn left.

A dirt trail with tress roots. The big trees are lining the left side of the right, and bushes line the right. — This is after you turn left

Looking past the straggly tree branches to the rippling water of the Agden Reservoir, on the walk along the other side.

The trail is a little bit more rugged here, with some tree roots, but still nothing compared to the other side of the reservoir.

A wide dirt path filled with tall trunked trees, when walking around the Agden Reservoir.

Some way along, you will get a view to a lovely bridge. I couldn’t get a clear view with my camera, but here it is:

Looking through the tree branches to the reservoir water, with masses of green woodland trees on the other side.

The nearer I got, the busier it got. There are larger areas here for entry into the water (where people were hanging out). This bit is also next to the road with lots of spaces to park.

Once I reached the bridge, I realised it was a dead end (not the bridge, the trail). So had to climb over the stone wall to get onto the bridge.

A stone wall on the right, and road on the left, with a black car parked for Agden Reservoir on the side.

You don’t need to climb over the wall, there will be an exit somewhere, I just didn’t want to walk back to find it.

Walk to Low Bradfield

You will now be on the road, which is what makes up most of the rest of the walk. I had actually expected to be able to walk across the dam, but unfortunately you cannot.

On a positive, the road was quiet.

A road lined with green bushes and trees.

Further along the road, and just past the house, there is a gap on the right, with a trail sign. You need to go through this gap and all the way down, past the stones, and down the steps, to reach the bridge. It was around here I started to hear the sound of cricket. Very wholesome.

A gap leading to a thin trail, with a stone wall on the left and wooden fence on the right. there is a footpath sign at the entrance.

A stone wall with a gap in the woodland.

Steps leading downhill, surround by green leafed bushes.

Over the bridge and to the left, Low Bradfield is a short way along.

Staying on the trail, it will lead you past the car park, and maybe cricketers. Keep going, along the road, then at the junction, turn right. I didn’t mention, but you are walking uphill now. Remember, what goes down, must come up.

Looking through a gap in the bushes and hedges to a field of people dressed in white, playing cricket.

A road leading straight, with a stone wall on the right and green hedge and bushes on the left.

A split in the road with a green grassed island and tree in the middle of the split. — Turn right here

I wasn’t too keen on this bit. Walking uphill on a road in the blazing heat of the sun.

At the next turning, for Windy Bank road, walk along it and it will lead you back to the Agden Reservoir. There are some nice views from up here, but I would have probably have preferred to stay on the reservoir and walk back the way I came.

Looking across the fields of green grass, with a stone wall running down the middle of it, and a view beyond of the rooftops of houses, and woodland trees up the hill.

A road curving ahead to the left, lined with gras banks, bushes and a stone wall.

More local reservoirs

Dale Dike: 2.9 miles circular. Very peaceful. Very rugged. 5 min along the road from Agden Reservoir.

Wessenden Reservoir: 5 miles circular. My favourite in the Peak District. Peaceful moorland. Lots of surprise waterfalls.

Ladybower Reservoir: 6 miles circular. More popular. Stunning backdrop of Derwent Edge.

Dovestone Reservoir (including Yeoman Hay): 4 miles circular. Can be pram friendly if you just do Dovestone. Popular and busy. Surrounded by gorgeous hills.

Langsett Reservoir: 3.7 miles circular. One of the others I was planning to do today but didn’t. I came back some time later to try it out. It’s a slightly longer route, and a bit more popular, hence busier. It does have more variety through, with the moorland.

Reservoirs I recommend further afield

Grimwith Reservoir: 4.3 miles circular. One of my favourites. Very moody. Located in the Yorkshire Dales.

Scar House Reservoir: 4.4 miles circular. Another one of my favourites. Also moody. Nice and secluded. Located in Nidderdale AONB.

Most of these reservoirs are owned by Yorkshire Water, which you can find out more about here.

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Agden Reservoir walk guide in the Peak District.