North-east from Embsay to Eastby then generally north across moorland to Lower Barden Reservoir. North-west to Upper Barden Reservoir, crossing the dam and heading south-west to join the bridleway on Brown Bank. Finally south to Embsay Reservoir, around its banks and south-east back to Embsay. A 10-mile walk in Northern England.


The best map to use on this walk is the Ordnance Survey map of the Yorkshire Dales Southern & Western Area, reference OS Explorer OL2, scale 1:25,000. It clearly displays footpaths, rights of way, open access land and vegetation on the ground, making it ideal for walking, running and hiking. The map can be purchased from Amazon in either a standard, paper version or a weatherproof, laminated version, as shown below.

Lower Barden Reservoir with Barden Fell in the background.


Sluice or water channel on the south-west side of Lower Barden Reservoir.


Lower Barden Reservoir as seen from its north-west tip.


The area where Barden Beck enters Lower Barden Reservoir.


The Upper Barden Reservoir dam.


Reservoir keeper’s house at Upper Barden Reservoir.


The view south-east from the dam of Upper Barden Reservoir towards Lower Barden Reservoir.


Upper Barden Reservoir.


Deer Gallows Plain, Embsay Moor.


Embsay Reservoir.