Stretch your legs and walk on one of the many trails through Gisburn Forest, most starting from Stocks Reservoir car park, with a link trail to and from Gisburn Forest Hub. Toilets are available at the Hub and car park tickets are valid for use at all sites on the day of purchase. Gisburn Forest’s website – forestryengland.uk/gisburn-forest-and-stocks – has details of five different walks of varying difficulty for all ages and abilities.

Birch Hill Trail is a short 40-minute walk (1.3 miles) that follows the old farm track of Miry Lane and through young woodland, following white markers. You’ll pass the old vicarage garden picnic area and two wildlife hides.

Egg Berry Road trail, following blue markers, is a one-hour walk (2.2 miles) offering a gentle climb through woodland leading to a historic track. Passing through mixed woodland this route follows an old farmstead track known as Eggberry Road.  There are views over Bottoms Beck to the ancient broadleaved woodland of Park Wood.

Dale Head Ramble, described as moderate, follows red markers and is 3.2 miles (approx. 1.5 hours). A steady climb through Birch Hills, followed by a descent to Bottoms Beck.  There are great views over the forest and Hesbert Hill Farm.  The trail follows the course of an old railway along the beck to join with Eggberry Road where there are fine views of Park Wood and Stocks Reservoir.

Gisburn Forest Hub to School Lane Link is 2 miles each way, so allow 45 minutes’ walking time each way. From the Hub the trail can be walked as a linear there and back route, or used as a link to join our other trails for a longer walk out. Follow the white arrows on a pink background.

A circular eight-mile walk around Stocks Reservoir is a perfect way to spend the day (with a couple of possible refreshment stops along the way). Complete a circumnavigation of the whole reservoir, along tracks and paths, through woodland and farmland in approximately three hours.  Follow the blue signs. Visit – where2walk.co.uk/walks/yorkshire_dales/a-circuit-of-stocks-reservoir/