WALK 03 · NIDDERDALE
Gouthwaite Reservoir & Ramsgill
The birdwatcher's route up the dale
Gouthwaite Reservoir is the reason serious birdwatchers come to Nidderdale. This Site of Special Scientific Interest holds nationally important numbers of wading birds, and ospreys have become a regular sight on their spring and autumn migration. The walk along its western shore follows the bed of the old Nidd Valley Light Railway, built to serve the reservoir construction works further up the dale, and makes for one of the flattest, easiest six miles you will find anywhere in the National Landscape.
Key facts
- Start point
- Gouthwaite Reservoir south end, near Wath
- Parking
- A small roadside car park at the southern end of the reservoir, near Wath. Arrive early on weekends in spring when birdwatchers fill it quickly.
- Terrain
- Flat throughout, following the old railway track bed. Good underfoot in most conditions, though some sections can be muddy near the shoreline in winter.
- Dogs
- Dogs must be kept on leads along the reservoir shore. Gouthwaite is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and ground-nesting and wading birds are easily disturbed.
Highlights
- +One of the best birdwatching sites in the Yorkshire Dales, with osprey sightings in spring and summer
- +A flat, easy walking surface along the old Nidd Valley Light Railway line
- +The pub at Ramsgill as a natural halfway point and turning back marker
- +Wide-open water views the whole way, especially good at dawn and dusk
The route
Starting from the small car park at the southern end of the reservoir near Wath, the route follows the clear, flat track of the old light railway along the western shore. The water opens out almost immediately, and on a still morning the reflections of the hills opposite are worth the walk on their own.
This stretch is the heart of the birdwatching interest. Look out for lapwing, redshank and curlew on the margins, goosander and tufted duck on the open water, and herons stalking the shallows. Ospreys pass through on migration in spring and again in autumn, and are most often spotted from the benches along this section in the early morning.
The track continues north with the reservoir narrowing towards its head, before the path brings you into the small village of Ramsgill, with its green, church and pub. This makes a natural lunch stop and turning point for the walk.
Retrace your steps along the same track back to the car park near Wath. The light changes the view considerably on the return leg, especially in the late afternoon when the low sun catches the water.
Good to know
- Refreshments
- The Yorke Arms at Ramsgill is the halfway stop. Check opening hours before you set off, as they can vary seasonally.
- Best time
- Early morning for the best birdwatching, particularly in spring and autumn during osprey migration.
- Equipment
- Binoculars make a real difference here. A flask of tea does not hurt either.
- Shortening the walk
- You can turn back at any point if six miles feels too far - the views are good from the very start of the track.
