Langsett Reservoir walk is a great fairly low-level route you can do that’s accessible for most walkers.
This beautiful walk is perfect for a summer or winter walk as it has some shelter through the wooded sections, handy to shade from the sun or rain (depending on the season).
Here you will find details on how to get to the start of the walk, route information, facilities on the walk, plus a detailed step by step guide of the walk.
I would always recommend that you take a paper map with you on the walk, details below on which map you need for this walk.
Let me know in the comments if you’ve done this walk from Langsett and what you think!
Langsett Reservoir Walk from Langsett Car Park
Walk information
Walk type: Short circular walk
Distance: 4 miles/6.5 km
Walk time: 1.5-2.5 hours
Total ascent: 216 m/708 ft
Highest point: 327 m/1,072 ft
Walk highlights: Langsett Reservoir, views across moorlands and woodlands
Langsett Reservoir walk map
Walk start point
Start grid reference: SE 210 004
Car parking address: Langsett Barn car park, S36 4GY
Parking Cost
Free parking
Public transport
Nearest train station: Sheffield train station (15 mile/25 km)
Unfortunately, there are no suitable public transport options for this walk. From Sheffield train station there are no buses available. The only option is to catch a train to Manchester, then catch the bus from there, about 50 minutes.
Facilities on the walk
There are public toilets available at the start of the walk the Langsett Reservoir car park.
Other useful information
The path at the beginning of the walk is good to walk on but on the other side of the reservoir, it can get quite muddy in places, hiking boots a good idea in wet weather!
The route is signposted in places but I would always recommend you take a map and compass (see below).
Check the weather for your walk location and hills
- BBC Weather for Langsett
- Met Office weather for the Peak District
- Met Office weather for Langsett Barn
Ordnance Survey Walk Map
The map for this walk is OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area)
You can buy a paper map at outdoor shops or shop online at Amazon or Ordnance Survey
Check prices here with Ordnance Survey, there are options to buy either standard map or a waterproof one. You can sometimes find cheaper deals on Amazon, but the Ordnance Survey website sometimes has discounts for buying more than one map!
And don’t forget your compass.
There are lots to choose from, I recommend the Silva Expedition compass, it’s more expensive but a valuable piece of kit!
For online maps, you can get via OS Online App or Viewranger App.
Check prices here for the one month or yearly option with OS Online App.
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Langsett Reservoir walk route
Stage 1 – Langsett Car Park to End of Langsett Reservoir (Bridge)
Distance: 1 miles/1.6 km
Grid reference SE 210 004
From the car park take the far left exit heading down towards the reservoir. Follow the path then bear right, keeping Langsett Reservoir on your left.
Walk along the path which takes you through the woods next to the reservoir, following the short fingerposts with yellow arrows.
As you reach the end of the reservoir, you’ll see a stone pathway leading down to the bridge at the far end Langsett Reservoir
Stage 2 – End of Langsett Reservoir (Bridge) to Thickwoods Lane
Distance: 1.2 mile/2 km
Grid reference SE 197 006
Walk over the bridge, then through the gate and continuing following the path as it snakes gradually upwards to the open moorlands.
(If you fancy exploring further there are some great walks from Crowden further up the road from Langsett)
Continue heading upwards until you reach a path leading off to the left, at a short fingerpost with a green arrow. (Extend the walk option here). From here you have wonderful views of Langsett Reservoir as you loop back towards it.
Go through a gate, then head towards a small wooded area – Thickwoods, following the path alongside it until you reach a second bridge.
After you’ve crossed the bridge, follow Thickwoods Lane for a short distance. Then as the track head off left, continue straight heading alongside the edge of the reservoir.
Stage 3 – Thickwoods Lane to Langsett Car Park
Distance: 2 miles/3 km
Grid reference SK 208 995
Follow the path through the woods until you reach a short fingerpost signposted Yorkshire Water, here you head upwards through the woods and up a small set of stones steps.
Then continue walking next to the boundary wall until you come out on a track. Turn left here and follow the track until you reach the main road. (Option to shorten the walk here).
Cross the road, climbing over the stone stile, across a muddy field, then over a second stone stile, with a large green public footpath sign.
You start to head downwards, continuing along a muddy single track, over another stone stile then across a bridge and up a single overgrown track to the road.
At this point, the footpath ends and you have to carefully make your way on the grassy bank next to the road. About half-way along you can hop over the wall to walk on a path for a short distance.
When you reach a small side road, opposite the Bank View Cafe, turn left and follow the path back to the edge of the reservoir.
Go through the date then back to Langsett Reservoir car park to end your walk.
Do you have any more questions about the Langsett Reservoir walk, maybe what to wear on your hike? Ask me in the comments below.
Additional options
Shorten the walk
If you want to shorten this walk then during stage 3 you can turn left at the road, instead of crossing the road and going over the style. This only reduces the total walk by about 0.7 km.
Extend the walk
Options to extend the walk, you can increase by about 2.5 km. During stage 2, if you continue walking straight at the fingerpost instead of turning left and walking back towards the reservoir.
This option includes about an extra 100 metres of ascent as well.
More Walks in the Peak District
Love the walks in the Peak District? You might like these Peak District circular walks.
- Laddow Rocks + Black Hill from Crowden
- Kinder Scout walk from Edale
- Lose Hill walk from Castleton
- Derbyshire Dales and Anthony Hill walk from Elton
Have you done this walk, let me know any feedback in the comments. Which bits of the walk did you like?
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