Embsay Crag and Embsay Reservoir Walk: The Ultimate Guide

The Embsay Crag and Embsay Reservoir Walk is an underrated walk in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The thrilling short walk takes you to the summit of Embsay Crag, where you’ll enjoy superb views of Embsay Reservoir. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Embsay Crag and Embsay Reservoir Walk.

We hope you find this guide helpful. For more information about nearby walking routes, read our guides about Flasby Fell and Sharp Haw, Malham Cove and Simon’s Seat. Otherwise, feel free to read our big Yorkshire Dales walks guide (coming soon).

The Embsay Crag and Embsay Reservoir Walk

Also known as the Embsay Crag Walk, the Embsay Crag and Embsay Reservoir Walk isn’t a high-profile trail option in the Yorkshire Dales. If anything, it’s more of a local’s walk. But, personally, Beck and I really enjoyed this lesser-known walk. Certainly, we highly recommend this mildly challenging concise walk in the Yorkshire Dales. The walk takes place just north of the town of Embsay.

Embsay Map

Located near Skipton, the small town of Embsay falls just outside the southern border of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Whilst, Embsay Crag and Embsay Reservoir are located just inside the national park. Given the location of this walk, which isn’t too deep into the Yorkshire Dales, it’s fairly easy to access. Certainly, this is one of the upsides of doing this walk, compared with many walks in the heart of the Dales, which are more time-consuming to access.

To help get your bearings, here’s an interactive map of Embsay Crag on Google Maps.

So, let’s look at some trail specs for the fun Embsay Crag and Embsay Reservoir Walk below.

Embsay Crag and Embsay Reservoir Walk: Trail Information

• Type: Out & Back
• Distance: 3.4km
• Time: 1.5 hours
• Accumulated elevation gain: 165m
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead: Craven Sailing Club Car Park
• Map: AllTrails

Embsay Crag and Embsay Reservoir Walk: Elevation Profile

Here’s the elevation profile for the Embsay Crag and Embsay Reservoir Walk. Indeed, most of the accumulation gain comes from climbing up Embsay Crag.

Embsay Crag and Embsay Reservoir Walk: Trail Description

In the trail description below, we’ll cover the highlight of the Embsay Crag and Embsay Reservoir Walk. The walk begins at the picturesque Embsay Reservoir.

Embsay Reservoir

Starting at Embsay Reservoir (AKA Embsay Moor Reservoir), you’ll follow a path that takes you around the reservoir in a clockwise direction. Beck and I did this walk in the middle of the afternoon on a clear winter’s day. So, we were lucky that, from the get-go, there was a lovely orange hue parading over Embsay Crag.

After passing Embsay Reservoir, you’ll cross a stile, heading into Embsay Moor. Bear in mind, the moors are often quite boggy in the winter. Basically, there are multiple trails heading to the summit of Embsay Crag. Personally, following this GPS-guided map, we ventured slightly north into the moors, before returning to the main trail that runs adjacent to Embsay Reservoir. To keep things simple, we recommend following this main trail, by Embsay Reservoir, to summit Embsay Crag.

At the base of Embsay Crag, you’ll find there are two trails summiting the gritstone crag. There’s a shorter but steeper trail heading directly to the summit. Otherwise, there’s a longer but gentler trail that winds around the western face. Do as you please. Personally, we went up the steep trail and then down the longer trail on the return leg of the walk.

Embsay Crag

After clambering over some gritstone rock formations, you’ll soon reach the top of Embsay Crag. At this point of the walk, you’ll enjoy splendid views of Embsay Reservoir. On a clear day, you’ll even see views over towards Pendle Hill in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (guide coming soon).

Soak in the glorious views, before retracing your steps to complete the walk.

Embsay Crag Walk Options

Other than the walk discussed above, there are other popular route options that visit Embsay Crag. One of these route options is the Embsay Crag Circular Walk, which explores more of Embsay Moor and Embsay Reservoir. Additionally, there’s another similar circular walk that returns via the town of Embsay, which is a longer route option. Personally, Beck and I thought the out and back walk was great. But, we’re sure the circular walks are also fantastic options.

How to Get to Embsay

The easiest and quickest way to get to Embsay is to drive there yourself. As mentioned, you can simply park at the Craven Sailing Club Car Park. Parking is free.

If you don’t have your own set of wheels, we recommend hiring a car using Rentalcars.com. You’ll find a wide variety of cars on Rental Cars, which are very easy to book online.

It’s also possible to use public transport to get to Embsay. You can get a train to Skipton and then the 873 or 864 bus to Embsay. From Embsay, you’re looking at an approx. 2km walk to get to Embsay Reservoir to start the walk described above. Feel free to check the train times and prices here. We recommend using Trainline and Google Maps to help plan your journey.

Overall, we don’t recommend using public transport to get to Embsay. That’s because it may be a slow and tedious journey, depending on where you’re travelling from in the UK. Certainly, it’s best to drive to Embsay Reservoir yourself.

Nearby Walks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

If you want to do other awesome walks nearby, then you’ll have to see more of the sensational Yorkshire Dales National Park. Below, we’ve listed some other great nearby walks in the Dales.

• Simon’s Seat and Bolton Abbey Waterfall: explore the rocky outcrop at Simon’s Seat and the underrated Bolton Abbey Waterfall in the Valley of Desolation.
• Malham Cove Walk: discover the incredible Malham Cove, Gordale Scar, Janets Foss and Malham Tarn (coming soon) on this amazing circular walk.
• Ilkley Moor: a famous moorland in West Yorkshire.
• Brimham Rocks: an outstanding National Trust attraction, that’s best enjoyed on a short circular walk through the moorland.
• Yorke’s Folly: one of the best walks in the nearby Pateley Bridge.
• Conistone Pie and Dib: one of the most underrated walks in the Yorkshire Dales.
• Conistone Pie and Dib Circular: a lovely circular walk taking in the limestone landscape surrounding the small town of Conistone.
• Settle Caves and Waterfalls Walk: from nearby Settle, you’ll visit Catrigg Force, Attermire Scar and Scalebar Force.

Hiking Essentials

These are our five hiking gear essentials for the Embsay Crag and Embay Reservoir Walk.

• Merrell Moab Mid Gore-Tex Hiking Boots: these hiking boots are super comfortable and lightweight.
• The North Face Venture Jacket: a fantastic windproof/waterproof jacket.
• Osprey Skarab 30L Day Backpack: a great backpack for hiking, which has plenty of space to store your gear.
• The North Face TKA Glacier Fleece Jacket: an excellent warmth:weight ratio fleece jacket that’ll help keep you warm.
• Columbia Convertible Trousers: a value for money pair of water-resistant convertible trousers.

For a longer hiking gear list, read our 66 Travel Items You Must Travel With. For a list of everything else you’d need for travelling, read our Packing Checklist.

Please leave us a comment below, we’d love to hear from you.