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Scar House & Little Whernside

Type: Four Boots
Route Length: 8-15 miles
 
This is a high level exposed walk with long steep climbs and difficult terrain. Starting from Scar House Dam, the walk crosses open moorland to the ridge between Great Whernside and Little Whernside, returning via the summit of Little Whernside from where on a clear day there are panoramic views over the Yorkshire Dales. Boots and appropriate clothing, drinks, food, a map and compass and the knowledge of how to use them are recommended for this walk. The weather can change extremely quickly and the walk should not be attempted in mist or low cloud. The walk is 8.5 miles long. Please note: There's a restriction on dogs on the land to the north of Scar House and Angram reservoirs (28th May 2005 to 27th May 2010). For further information please ring the Open Access Contact Centre on 0845 1003298 or e-mail openaccess@naturalengland.org.uk
 
Location
Near Middlesmoor in Nidderdale, north of Pateley Bridge.
 
Access
From our car park near the end of Scar House dam point 1. This is reached in 4 miles by taking the our private tarmac access road from the Lofthouse to Middlesmoor Road approximately 100m on the right after Lofthouse village.
 
Facilities
ParkingToiletsDisabled FacilitiesPicnic Tables
 
 
Route

Leave the car park at Scar House and cross the dam. At the northern end take the track that runs parallel to the north shore of the reservoir through sheep pastures around point 2. Continue on this track past the ruined hamlet of Lodge. At a ‘T’-junction in the track beyond the ruins, point 3, turn left and immediately right through a small gate into rough pasture. Keep parallel to the wall on the right, until the path crosses another wall at a derelict gateway. Bear slightly left through another gateway and cross two streams in quick succession. The path follows the contour to a wall with a gate in it. From here the route climbs steadily to the point where it crosses the ridge between Great and Little Whernside at point 4.

Here turn right almost completely back on yourself to walk north-east along the ridge, with the views improving with every metre of height gained to the summit of Little Whernside.  The summit of Little Whernside point 5 consists of deep peat hags which make it very difficult to walk in a straight line. The ground can also be very boggy, Keep the wall/fence on the summit in view on the left.  The ridge falls away steeply after the summit and the peat is left behind.  Follow the path, keeping the wall on your left down to where the route meets a track at right angles by a gate at point 6.  Turn right down this track back to the ‘T' Junction point 3 near Lodge. From here turn left and retrace the outward route back to the car park. 

An alternative route back (shown on the map) can be walked by going straight on at the ‘T' Junction, through the sheep pens again but this time straight on down to the reservoir edge, turn left through a gate and follow the path (a former tramway from the reservoir construction) along the edge of the water back to Scar House Dam and the car park.

Please Note:  Please take care on this walk, especially if you have children with you because motor vehicles often use the same paths and roads.

 

OS Map: Explorer OL30 – Yorkshire Dales North and Central

 

 
For more information about other Yorkshire Water walks or activities visit
yorkshirewater.com/recreation

Yorkshire Water.
Only available in Yorkshire.

Great care has been taken to ensure that the information in our activity packs (or other information made available) is accurate. However, we accept no liability for any claim, loss, damage or injury (howsoever arising) incurred by those using the information provided in activity packs or by Yorkshire Water generally.


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