GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Winscar Reservoir

3 miles (5 km)

Enjoy a cycle or walk along the beautiful Winscar Reservoir in the Peak District. The reservoir is ideal for a short, easy cycle or walk using the waterside tarmac path on the eastern side. The surrounding scenery of the Peak District makes a wonderful backdrop. You can start your outing from the car park on the eastern side of the water. There's another public parking area in Dunford Bridge just to the south if you'd prefer to start from there.
Winscar Reservoir is located south of Holmfirth and west of Penistone. It's situated on the Trans Pennine Trail so there is scope for continuing your exercise along this trail. You could head east to the nearby Langsett Reservoir where you can enjoy more waterside walking and beautiful scenery. If you were to head south west along the trail it would take you to Woodhead Reservoir and Torside Reservoir.

Postcode

S36 4TF - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Winscar Reservoir OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Winscar Reservoir Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Pickled Pheasant is located in Holmbridge near Digley Reservoir and just over 2 miles north of Winscar. This fine gastro pub includes a large car park, a beer garden and a restaurant. The recently modified interior is very appealing with many original features including beautiful oak beams, stone flagged floors and two open fireplaces. They are dog friendly and also provide good quality accommodation if you need to stay over. You can find the inn at Woodhead Rd, Holmbridge with a postcode of HD9 2NQ for your sat navs.
Brownhill Reservoir and Ramsden Reservoir are also located near here and worth a visit.

Dog Walking

The reservoir makes for a fine dog walk and you will probably see other owners on your outing. The Pickled Pheasant pub mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Head north east along the Barnsley Boundary Walk and you could visit the nearby Broadstone,Scout Dike, Royd Moor and Ingbirchworth Reservoirs.
At the eastern end of Woodhead Reservoir there's a car park where you can start the Middle Black Clough Waterfall Walk. The area is a bit of a hidden gem with walks along the River Etherow to some beautiful waterfalls and wonderful rock formations. It's located just south of the popular Longdendale Trail and well worth a visit.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Peak District Walks page.

Photos

Winscar Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 374111

Winscar Reservoir

Winscar Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 34365

Lovely view over the reservoir on a clear, beautiful summer morning

Winscar Reservoir Outflow - geograph.org.uk - 429033

Outflow From the dam head.

Winscar Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1134280

The northernmost part of the reservoir with the cottages of Harden on the skyline. The water level is surprisingly low for mid-winter. Mallards and Canada geese await the next visitors bearing a bag of bread.

Winscar Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1291277

Taken from the car park on the east side

Winscar Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1490540

Looking in the direction of Holme Moss Mast the upper part can be seen centre skyline.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Winscar Reservoir.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Winscar Reservoir.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)