Langsett Reservoir and Langsett Moors Circular Walk | 5 Miles
If you’re looking for a Peak District walk to escape the crowds, this is the one for you. Starting from the car park near Langsett Reservoir, the walk heads through the woods before reaching the Langsett Moors, then following the Little Don River back to the start. This is a lovely 5 mile walk exploring some of the quieter parts of the Peak District, as well as the quirky Hordron Sheep Fort.
This walk uses Open Access Land where dogs are not allowed – check with Natural England for up to date restrictions before you go as the landowners sometimes close the moors. Dogs are only allowed on public footpaths which are shown green on OS maps, and there are none on the Langsett Moors unfortunately.
Our walk started from the free Yorkshire Water car park near to the Flouch roundabout, and we headed across the road into the woods. The paths are a bit confusing, but we followed the main track and turned right, then came to a stream and turned right, and then immediately took the left hand path (the muddy one, sorry!) which leads up through the woods. The path runs alongside a stream through the woods, which opens onto farmland.
We followed the track as it became Swinden Lane, and this is where the public footpath stops and the Open Access Land begins. We walked down the hill, following Hordron Road as it winds it’s way over Little Moor (negoatiating a couple of overflowing river fords along the way!) to the first of the fortified sheep “forts”. This barn within a huge wall is a great place to shelter from the rough weather we get up here.
From the barn we headed down the steep hillside to the river. There is a path that leads to the south-east to meet Hordron Clough but we went Route 1 – it was really steep in places so if you’re unsure, follow the path to the bridge with Cat Clough, and then follow the river downstream. There are lovely views over the Langsett Moors here and it makes a great place to stop for a picnic.
There is a boggy path that runs alongside the river, passing the Hordron sheep fort, a fortified sheepfold with sheepdip.
The path winds it’s way through the valley bottom, and we followed it until it split. Here we should have taken the left hand fork which climbs up the hill but we took the right hand path, staying nearer to the river, and then we had to clamber up a muddy bank to get to the right level – lesson learned for next time! If you get into a small patch of woodland next to the river, you’ve gone too far. The GPX file shows the right way, whereas the Komoot shows the actual way we went.
We walked through the woodland, following some very muddy, skinny paths in places, and eventually reached Swinden Plantation. The path climbs up the hillside and runs alongside a wall next to the woods, and then turns into Crooklands Wood and leads back to the main track through the woods. This track leads back to the road and the car park.
There are a couple of places nearby to get some refreshments – the Spotty Cafe aka Bank View Cafe, and the Waggon and Horses pub. Both of these are great.
Walk Details:
Walk Map (Opens in OS Maps): Langsett to Hordron Bank Walk
Parking: There is a free car park near the Flouch roundabout (S36 4GY) but there is a height restriction here. There is also layby parking nearby. W3W:///cadet.geese.talent
Facilities: There are none in the car park but there is a cafe and pub nearby.
Walk Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: ▲▲
Distance: 5.2 miles (8.36km)
Elevation: 254ft (77.4m)
Trig Points Bagged: None
Peak District Peaks Bagged: None
Peak District Ethels Bagged: None
For more walks nearby you might like:
Langsett to Margery Hill, High Stones and Outer Edge
