A four reservoir walk with a dense forest at the end, just a shame about the weather, writes Lesley Tate.

IT poured with rain for most of the time I did this walk above the Washburn Valley, and when it wasn't raining, it was misty, with poor visibility, which clouded it somewhat. And, that is a shame, as the walk has all the ingredients of a really good one - it includes four Yorkshire Water reservoirs - Scargill, John O Gaunts, Swinsty, and the empty Beaver Dyke - and a pretty substantial forest, which I even managed to get lost in. So, a word of warning, make sure you take a map with you, and be prepared to back track. I'd add, if you are of a nervous disposition, don't do this on your own - Stainburn Forest is proper, full blown, dense, and I have to say, a tad scary, but then I was soaking wet, and tired of foot by the time I got there.

Step by step:

1: From the Forestry Commission car park, turn away from the entrance to the forest, and turn right along the main road for a short way to the track off the road on the left signed to Scargill Reservoir. Follow the track as it passes old, redundant buildings all the way to the reservoir, which you will see in the distance.

2: The path continues past the reservoir, on your left, and the reservoir buildings, on your right, and becomes an attractive, wood lined track which goes gently downhill and eventually to the closed entrance to Beaver Dyke Reservoir. Take the signed footpath to the right, just next to the entrance to the de-commissioned reservoir. Path climbs quite steeply uphill across a field to Long Liberty Farm. Follow the signed path through the farmyard and passing another entrance to Beaver Dyke reservoir on left.

3: Path continues across a field and into a wooded area - this part of the path is the Harrogate to Ilkley link of the Dales Way path. Continue along path as it comes to the dam between Beaver Dyke, on your left, and John O Gaunts reservoir, which is still in use. Cross over on the bridge (leaving Dales Way) between the two and at the end of the bridge, take the footpath (signed) through a gate and uphill to some buildings, under renovation. Here are the remains of the John Of Gaunts hunting lodge, which are unfortunately in private ownership. Keep on the path, as it goes downhill towards the left hand side of the reservoir and enters a field before joining path turning left. Continue along path as it leaves field and enters woodland. It then passes over moorland, heading for houses and the Sun Inn. Pass by Sun Inn, over road and take path opposite, back on the Dales Way here, it crosses over a couple of fields before entering woodland and heads down to Swinsty Reservoir.

4: Cross over the road and enter woods opposite (following path next to reservoir on your right). Path comes out onto access road, cross over it and take bridlepath opposite. Follow the bridlepath as it climbs uphill to a gate, and then goes to the left, before dropping down into Scow Hall Farm, through farmyard and out onto road, turn left and after a short way, take footpath off to right marked to Top Lane. Path crosses over fields and comes out at the back of Cherry Tree Farm.

5: Pass to the side of the farm and up the driveway to join the road, turn left and up to the B6451. Turn right here, for a short way before taking track into forestry land on left hand side. There are two barriers - take the one on the right, marked footpath.

6. There are several paths through the forest and all will eventually end up on Broad Dubb Lane, where the car park is. But, you want to aim at each fork, to take the left fork which will eventually come to a stile into grassland, where straight ahead you will see Little Alms Cliff in the distance. Head straight up and over it, and take path on the other side back to the road, turn left and back to the car park.

Factfile:

Location: Washburn Valley

Start/Finish: Stainburn Forest, Forestry Commission car park, Broad Dubb Lane, near Otley.

Distance: about eight miles, allow about four hours.

Difficulty level: Easy

Terrain: Tracks, moorland, quiet roads

Livestock: Sheep and curious cattle - dogs must be kept under close control.

Stiles/gates: A couple of tricky stiles, but mostly easy gates.

Parking: Free at Forestry Commission car park

Refreshments: The Sun Inn.

OS Map: OS297