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Swinsty

Type: One Boot
Route Length: 2-5 miles
 
This route around Swinsty Reservoir nestles in the stunning Washburn Valley and provides breathtaking views across the water and the surrounding landscape, especially from the embankment near the River Washburn or various rest points dotted along the walk. The walk is 3 miles long and a podcast is available to accompany the route.
 
Location
Near Fewston, off the A59 Harrogate / Skipton Road at Blubberhouses.
 
Access
The route can be accessed from our Swinsty Moor car park point 1 at the southern end of the Fewston Reservoir Embankment. Please note that there is a 2.2m height barrier.
 
Facilities
ParkingToiletsDisabled FacilitiesPicnic Tables
 
 
Route

From Swinsty Moor car park point 1 leave by the main entrance and follow the black way mark arrows. Cross the road into the woodland on the corner of Fewston Reservoir. Immediately turn right and follow the path down to the public road. Turn left and cross Fewston Dam, at the far end after the house, cross the road and enter the wood around Swinsty Reservoir via a gap in the wall, either turn left onto the zig zag path through the wood or turn right and take the shorter route down the edge of the wood to the reservoir path, meeting the zig zag path at point 2.

Follow the reservoir path around the perimeter of the reservoir. There are seats at intervals with excellent views over the reservoir. After a while you pass Stack Point car park & picnic area on the left and meet the public road that crosses an inlet of the reservoir at point 3.

Turn right on the road (there is no pavement so caution is necessary) and at the opposite side of the inlet turn right through a gap in the wall next to a gate back into the grounds of Swinsty Reservoir.  Continue your journey around the edge of the reservoir to meet a tarmac access road at point 4.

Turn right on the road, past a house on the left. Cross Swinsty Reservoir Embankment, point 5, using the level path on the left hand side of the road. There are excellent views down the valley and across Swinsty Reservoir from here. At the end of the embankment turn right up the lane passing Swinsty Hall on the left point 6. At Swinsty Hall there's a choice; you can turn left following the path through the woods back to the car park at Swinsty Moor or continue along the lane to the main entrance to the car park.

 

OS Map: Explorer map 297

 

Vehicles displaying the blue badge that are higher than 2.2 metres may park in the adjacent equestrian/cycle car parking area where there is no height barrier. Please note closing times as displayed in the parking area. At Swinsty Moor there are disabled parking bays, picnic tables, information points and disabled toilet facilities.

 
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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