Scar House Reservoir is a prominent outdoor activity region located within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in North Yorkshire. The landscape features expansive moorland views and the notable Scar House Dam, providing varied terrain for exploration. This area supports several sports like road cycling, hiking, jogging, mountain biking, and more, making it a destination for active pursuits.
Scar House Reservoir offers numerous routes for outdoor enthusiasts. More than 18,000 visitors have…
64
Routes
4.6
(135)
Average rating
2501
People visited

4.8
(24)
199
riders
24.1km
02:01
520m
520m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
9
riders
19.8km
01:35
340m
340m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
7
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.9
(8)
73
hikers
10.5km
02:46
90m
90m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
hikers
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(20)
203
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(8)
68
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(2)
23
runners
16.2km
01:51
410m
410m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
30
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
runners
22.5km
02:45
620m
620m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.
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4.5
(6)
574
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(3)
230
riders
51.9km
02:41
710m
710m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(3)
255
riders
53.2km
02:44
630m
620m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

82
riders
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5.0
(2)
126
riders
32.8km
02:45
620m
620m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.7
(7)
42
riders
26.5km
01:36
220m
220m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

17
riders
41.0km
03:15
810m
810m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

11
riders
14.6km
00:58
190m
190m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Scar House Reservoir offers a range of outdoor activities including road cycling, hiking, jogging, and mountain biking. The area is part of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, providing diverse terrain for exploration. More than 18,000 visitors have rated activities in the region with an average of 4.45 out of 5 stars.
Scar House Reservoir is situated in North Yorkshire, within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is nestled in a moorland landscape below Little Whernside. The reservoir is managed by Yorkshire Water.
Yes, the area is popular for road cycling. The road leading to the reservoir from Lofthouse follows the track bed of a dismantled railway, offering scenic views. Cyclists can find detailed information and routes in guides such as Road Cycling Routes around Scar House Reservoir.
Scar House Reservoir is a recognized destination for mountain biking, with trails ranging from easy to moderate. A permissive bridleway loop around the reservoir, approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) long, crosses both dams. Specific routes can be found in the MTB Trails around Scar House Reservoir guide.
Yes, Scar House Reservoir offers peaceful walking routes for various fitness levels. A popular choice is the 4-mile (6.4 km) Scar House walk, with a longer 6-mile (9.7 km) route including Angram Reservoir. The Hiking around Scar House Reservoir guide provides more options.
The southern side of Scar House Reservoir features an access road suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs, offering easier walking options. For specific family-oriented routes, consult the Family-friendly hikes around Scar House Reservoir guide.
The reservoir features an impressive dam structure, built in the 1930s, standing 55 meters tall and nearly 600 meters long. Visitors can also experience wide moorland views, with the surrounding area designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Historical remnants of a temporary village and railway from the dam's construction are also visible.
Yes, the car park at Scar House Reservoir has a 'Milky Way' rating, indicating exceptionally dark skies. This makes it an excellent location for stargazing and astronomical observation.
The provided information does not indicate that a permit is required for general cycling activities around Scar House Reservoir. Cyclists should adhere to public access rights and any local signage regarding permissive routes.
Yes, the southern side of the reservoir has an access road suitable for easier walks. For more options, the Easy hikes around Scar House Reservoir guide can provide suitable routes.
Komoot offers several guides for the area, including Road Cycling Routes, Hiking around Scar House Reservoir, and MTB Trails. There are also guides for running, family-friendly hikes, and traffic-free bike rides.
Scar House Reservoir is managed by Yorkshire Water. Information can be found on the Yorkshire Water website. For enquiries related to activities like canoeing, How Stean Gorge Adventure Club can be contacted at 01423 755666.
Yes, parking is available at Scar House Reservoir. The car park is also recognized as a 'Milky Way' Dark Sky Discovery Site, making it suitable for stargazing.
Cycling trails at Scar House Reservoir vary in difficulty. Road cycling routes often follow relatively flat old railway lines, while mountain biking trails range from easy to moderate, with some challenging sections and steep descents. A permissive bridleway loop offers an accessible option for mountain bikers.
Yes, there are options for traffic-free cycling. Guides such as Traffic-free bike rides around Scar House Reservoir highlight suitable routes. These routes often utilize paths away from main roads, providing a safer experience.

