Scar House Reservoir

Nidderdale AONB

Explore this remote and beautiful part of Nidderdale and enjoy the stunning scenery of the Upper Dale. Discover the history of Scar House Reservoir and see the remains of the village that once stood.

The impressive resevoir wall in Nidderdale

Where to start: Yorkshire Water car park at Scar House
This is grid reference SE 069766 on the OS Explorer 30 map.

Start: At the Western end of the car park near the public toilets you will find display boards explaining the history of Scar House. Leave the car park at this point and turn left. Walk for about 250m until you reach Scar House Dam, turn right and cross the Dam.

1. SE 067772 - At the Northern end of the Dam turn left and follow the stone track that runs uphill, parallel to the reservoir. Continue along the track through sheep pastures and to the ruined hamlet of Lodge. Continue past the ruins and you will come to a junction.
2. SE 047774 – At the junction turn left and walk for about 100m until you come to a ladder style by a gate. Climb over the style and then over a step style in a fence. Immediately after this climb over the ladder style on your right and follow the path. As you continue take a few moments to look behind you – you will see the beauty of Scar House and its Dam set in isolation. Cross over a stream in the bottom of the ghyll and continue to follow the path until you arrive at the Northern end of Angram Dam.
3. SE 042766 – At Angram Dam you can either:
   3.1 - Complete the circular route of Scar House Reservoir – cross Angram Dam to point 6, turn left and follow the tarmac road that runs parallel to the reservoir back to the start.
   Or 3.2 - complete a circular walk of Angram Reservoir - follow steps 4, 5 & 6 below. Please note that this is an additional 2.2 miles across very rough, boggy open access land with a steep downhill and uphill section.
4. SE 042766 – Continue straight ahead along the track and go through a gate. After a short distance the path peters out and a waymarked rough moorland path continues parallel to the reservoir. Continue ahead and you will come to a sharp left turn downhill to a small bridge. Cross the bridge and climb steeply up the other side. At the top turn left and follow the waymarked path around the edge the reservoir.
5. SE 036755 - You will come to a small bridge (please note this area is prone to flooding). Cross the bridge, turn left and follow the unsurfaced track over a few styles and bridges until you find yourself at the Southern end of Angram Dam.
6. SE 045763 – Continue ahead and follow the tarmac road back to the start as in point 3.1.