Angram - Scar House reservoir - yorkshire dales mountain bike routes

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looking down scar house dam

Angram - Scar House reservoir

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Were not huge advocates of retracing our tracks on routes, but this one is an exception with a ride over the tops to the stunning Angram and Scar House reservoirs, forming a lollipop shaped route. The ride starts in Coverdale a lesser known Dale which runs off to the right of Kettlewell.

Scar house and Angram reservoirs are located among the striking scenery of Upper-Nidderdale. Built to supply water to Bradford, the water is transferred to Chellow Heights via the Nidd Aqueduct, A major engineering feat as it requires no pumping. To this day it is Bradford's main source of water.

The route starts with the obligatory leg busting climb, petering out for a while, before a tricky descent into Nidderdale and the 2 reservoirs. The plus side is what was a killer climb, on your return becomes a nice downhill back to the start point.

It has to be said that if you have time, both the reservoirs are a fine place to amble a few hours away in the sunshine

Statistics

Difficulty:	Grin Factor:	Time :3 hrs

Distance: 9.3 mi	Offroad: 7 mi	Onroad: 2.3 mi
Climbing distance: 3.6 mi	Descent distance: 4.7 mi	Flat distance: 1 mi

Total climbing: 1978.3 ft

Terrain: muddy in winter, some deep ruts from 4x4s, not fast but you gets your buzz in different ways

OS Map:OS Explorer - Active Map Nidderdale Ordnance Survey OS Explorer - Active Map Nidderdale 98

Map

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Street View

Start point - GPS - N 54 13.405 W 1 55.970 Horsehouse in Coverdale - park anywhere in the village

View mtbdales.com - angram scar house reservoir circular route in a larger map

The Route

1 With your back to the pub in Horsehouse, retrace your tracks for 600m taking your first left signposted Arkeside. Follow the tarmac until the track forks left through a gate, taking you onto the moor.

2 Very steep gradient climbing for 2.5 km, till you reach the highpoint of the route.

3. Descent into Niddersdale, as the stunning views of both reservoirs comes into view. It�s a bit of a mixed bag of a descent, a little washed out in places with 4x4 errosion. Continue till you come to a stream and take the right hand track signposted footpath, it is in fact a permissive bridleway.

4 At this point you have the reservoir on you left, and keep it that way, till you reach and cross Angram dam. Turn left, after the dam, and take the fast tarmac to Scar house Dam crossing the reservoir. You have to stop and marvel at the feat of engineering (over one million tonnes of masonry & 600 metres long) but that�s another thing!

5 At the end of this bridge bear left up a broad cobbled road (dead mans hill), and not left alongside the water.

6 Continue on this track till you return to the stream and retrace your steps back to the start point.

added by: mark - Sat Feb 21

Food & stuff

nothing en route. theres a pub at the start point in horsehouse but it was closed when we tried. nearest shop is probably the kettlewell village store about 8 miles away

Comments

The bunk barn I mentioned is now open for business, more info at www.scarhousebunkbarn.co.uk
from: Bonty Biker | Wed Oct 14

Closest pubs are The Crown, Middlesmoor (an off-road ride of about 4km, on road it's about 6) or The Crown, Lofthouse, 4km down the access road from Scarhouse Reservoir (odd opening times though). The cafe at How Stean Gorge is open from 10am and does a good range of food and drink, including beer if you order a meal. Accommodation is now available at Scarhouse Reservoir! a 30 bed bunk barn, with bike storage, is now available from around £100 a night. It's only just started trading, so th
from: Bonty Biker | Mon Jul 27

this is my favourite walk! nice photos
from: passing by | Sat Jun 20

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