Balderhead Reservoir is a region situated in Baldersdale, County Durham, within the expansive North Pennine moors. This area is characterized by its wild moorland scenery, vast open spaces, and an upland setting that provides long views and big skies. As part of a chain of three reservoirs on the River Balder, Balderhead Reservoir offers a diverse landscape of reservoir paths, stone tracks, and open ground, making it suitable for several sports like jogging, road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, and more.
…80
Routes
4.4
(125)
Average rating
1482
People visited

4.6
(33)
139
hikers
17.5km
04:37
160m
160m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(21)
82
hikers
12.5km
03:29
240m
240m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(10)
53
hikers
4.84km
01:15
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(9)
33
hikers
9.87km
02:41
140m
140m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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5.0
(1)
35
riders
47.7km
02:48
910m
910m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

26
riders
44.9km
02:16
610m
610m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

22
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

20
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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5
runners
15.6km
01:52
330m
330m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

2
runners
19.7km
02:10
210m
220m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
9.38km
01:04
130m
130m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
4.82km
00:33
30m
20m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(3)
505
riders
33.0km
03:15
730m
730m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.0
(2)
19
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
10
riders
24.1km
01:37
320m
320m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

8
riders
59.4km
05:24
1,090m
1,090m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3.0
(1)
6
riders
33.5km
02:23
430m
430m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

2
riders
20.7km
01:26
320m
320m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

23.4km
01:53
350m
350m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Balderhead Reservoir offers a range of outdoor activities including jogging, road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, and mountain biking. The area is also popular for wild brown trout fishing, bird watching, and stargazing. Water skiing is permitted on specific days.
Yes, Balderhead Reservoir provides numerous hiking opportunities with varied terrain, including reservoir paths, stone tracks, and open ground. Hikers can find routes for different fitness levels, including options that link to the Pennine Way. Explore available routes with the Hiking around Balderhead Reservoir guide.
Jogging routes are available around Balderhead Reservoir, offering views across unpaved banks and open moorland. The terrain includes reservoir paths and stone tracks suitable for various fitness levels. Find detailed options in the Running Trails around Balderhead Reservoir guide.
Balderhead Reservoir and its surroundings are suitable for both road and touring cycling. Routes traverse the North Pennine moors, featuring varied elevation and a mix of well-paved surfaces and stone tracks. Discover options through the Road Cycling Routes around Balderhead Reservoir and Cycling around Balderhead Reservoir guides.
Yes, Balderhead Reservoir offers family-friendly hiking options, including easy loops suitable for various ages. These routes often feature accessible paths and scenic views. Consult the Family-friendly hikes around Balderhead Reservoir guide for specific recommendations.
Dog-friendly hiking routes are available at Balderhead Reservoir, allowing visitors to explore the area with their pets. It is advisable to keep dogs under control, especially in areas with livestock or wildlife. Specific dog-friendly options can be found in the Dog-friendly hikes around Balderhead Reservoir guide.
Balderhead Reservoir is characterized by its wild moorland scenery, vast open spaces, and long views across the North Pennine moors. It features a large intake and overflow structure, often called a 'giant plug,' and is part of a chain of three reservoirs on the River Balder. The reservoir's perimeter is approximately 5 miles (8 km).
Balderhead Reservoir is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 10,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The activities in the region have an average rating of 4.65 out of 5 stars from over 1,500 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users.
Komoot offers several guides for Balderhead Reservoir, covering various activities and interests. These include guides for Running Trails, Road Cycling Routes, and Hiking. There are also specialized guides for Dog-friendly hikes and Family-friendly hikes.
For general inquiries regarding Balderhead Reservoir, contact Waterside Parks at 0345 1550236, available Monday to Friday, 9 am-5 pm. Alternatively, the Grassholme Reservoir visitor centre, located nearby, can be reached at 01833 641121, open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Yes, Balderhead Reservoir provides easy routes suitable for beginners and those seeking less strenuous options. These include accessible paths along the dam wall and easy loops around the reservoir. The Easy hikes around Balderhead Reservoir guide offers specific suggestions.
The terrain at Balderhead Reservoir is varied, featuring a mix of reservoir paths, stone tracks, and open ground. This diversity caters to different activities and fitness levels, from smooth sections to more rugged moorland paths. Cyclists can expect both well-paved surfaces and some stone tracks.

