Embsay Reservoir is a prominent outdoor region situated in the Yorkshire Dales, characterized by its expansive moorland, rolling hills, and the gritstone outcrop of Embsay Crag. The landscape offers a variety of terrain, from wide footpaths around the reservoir to more challenging tracks leading up to higher elevations. This area provides opportunities for several sports like road cycling, touring cycling, hiking, jogging, and more, making it a focal point for outdoor activities.
The Embsay…
169
Routes
4.6
(475)
Average rating
7085
People visited

4.8
(112)
1,323
hikers
11.8km
03:07
110m
110m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(123)
915
hikers
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.6
(20)
165
hikers
5.12km
01:33
160m
160m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(28)
534
hikers
8.47km
02:15
90m
90m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(9)
188
riders
65.1km
03:10
930m
930m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
128
riders
37.5km
01:49
490m
490m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
226
riders
65.2km
02:56
570m
570m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(5)
151
riders
49.2km
02:18
550m
550m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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25
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

37
runners
23.1km
02:47
490m
490m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

33
runners
23.0km
02:47
580m
580m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2.0
(1)
19
runners
5.45km
00:36
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(4)
133
riders
61.0km
03:51
690m
690m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(6)
72
riders
55.8km
03:20
390m
390m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(4)
68
riders
50.2km
03:06
460m
460m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(3)
68
riders
17.4km
01:03
80m
80m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
17
riders
101km
07:53
1,920m
1,920m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(3)
17
riders
24.4km
01:26
110m
110m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
9
riders
23.4km
01:56
500m
500m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(5)
31
riders
52.6km
03:51
450m
450m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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7
riders
30.8km
01:53
420m
420m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
36.5km
02:18
570m
570m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
28.6km
01:52
470m
470m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
riders
18.3km
01:04
110m
110m
Easy gravel ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Embsay Reservoir offers opportunities for hiking, jogging, road cycling, touring cycling, mountain biking, and gravel biking. The area features diverse landscapes, including moorland, hills, and Embsay Crag. There are 9 routes available across these sports.
Yes, there are family-friendly hiking options. A short, circular walk of approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) around the reservoir is suitable for families. For more options, consult the Family-friendly hikes around Embsay Reservoir guide.
Popular hiking trails include the circular walk around the reservoir and routes extending into the surrounding hills and moorland. Ascents to Embsay Crag offer panoramic views. The Hiking around Embsay Reservoir guide provides various options.
Yes, the roads and lanes around Embsay Reservoir and the wider Embsay area offer road cycling opportunities. Routes are part of the National Cycle Network, such as the "Skipton to Bolton Abbey" route. Explore options in the Road Cycling Routes around Embsay Reservoir guide.
Cyclists can expect a mix of paved surfaces and some unpaved segments on more challenging rides. The region's routes offer varied terrain through scenic countryside and moorland. Guides like Cycling around Embsay Reservoir detail these conditions.
Key features include Embsay Crag, a gritstone outcrop offering panoramic views, and expansive moorland and hills. The reservoir itself is a freshwater lake, and an old sandstone quarry is visible near Embsay Crag.
Embsay Reservoir is a popular destination, with more than 148,000 visitors having explored its trails on komoot. The routes have an average rating of 4.63 out of 5 stars from over 12,800 ratings.
Yes, easy hiking options are available, including a short, circular walk around the reservoir. This route is suitable for various fitness levels. More easy routes can be found in the Easy hikes around Embsay Reservoir guide.
Running trails are available around Embsay Reservoir, offering routes suitable for jogging through varied terrain. The Running Trails around Embsay Reservoir guide provides specific route details.
Yes, mountain biking trails are available in the Embsay Reservoir area. Specific routes and details can be found in the MTB Trails around Embsay Reservoir guide.
The reservoir is located just north of Skipton, a market town offering pubs, cafes, and other services. The village of Embsay also has amenities, including the Cavendish Arms. The Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway is also nearby.
Information regarding Embsay Reservoir, including visitor details and activities, can be found on the Yorkshire Water website. The official website is yorkshirewater.com/things-to-do/reservoirs/embsay-reservoir/.

