This family friendly circular walk around Scammonden Reservoir is approximately 5km. You may have well passed this reservoir many times when driving along the M62, but taking a walk you really appreciate the beautiful surroundings!

Location: Low Platt Lane/Wood Edge car park is on Low Platt Lane, Huddersfield.

Parking: The main car park is a good size, but in high season still fills up quickly.

Facilities: No toilets. There are benches along the route. On completing the walk, an ice cream van had arrived in the car park (cash only).

Accessibility: Although there are no stiles (and steps can be avoided), there a number of inclines that are steep in places that you’d probably want to avoid. The paths are fairly well surfaced, but I’d avoid buggies unless you’ve got an off-road one and are very fit to push!

Route: Route information is available from Yorkshire Water here.

Scammonden Reservoir Route Description

From the main carpark you can walk towards the motorway and drop down the zigzag path, or follow the path out the south end of the car park down the slope and join the route further along. Once you’re on the main path, the route is pretty straightforward to follow- just head round the reservoir.

The route information (linked above) suggests a cloackwise walk, and I think having completed it I’d agree. There is some climbing but you dont really notice it too much in this direction as it’s much more gradual.

The Eastern side of the reservoir is a lower path; closer to the waters edge with a number of sculptures that the children enjoyed.

At the far side of the reservoir, the route climbed to give stunning views across the valley and over the reservoir itself.

The final stretch of the route was a path between the reservoir dam and the M62 motorway- such a surreal place to be. The wind really whipped up here and astonishingly you could barely hear the motorway even though you were soooo close!!!

It was a lovely place to visit and we’ll certainly be returning!