THIS is not the most adventurous of walks, but it's pleasant enough, and especially good for wet weather - if you just include Grimwith Reservoir.

It does however, have some really lovely far-reaching views of the moors, some interesting clumps of limestone, and its wonderful dropping down towards the reservoir, especially if the water is full of boats, from the nearby Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club.

Reservoir walks can be a bit of a plod, but this one is made more interesting with Grimwith House, which was built in the 19th century, last occupied in the 1970s and currently under restoration.

There are also the remains of buildings from the village of Gate Up, now vanished beneath the reservoir, and the thatched High Grimwith Laithe. Many parts are protected wildlife areas and birds include Greylag geese and wigeons.

Also, watch out for the stone plinths set into the drystone walls - the result of an artists workshop at the reservoir as part of 60th anniversary celebrations of the Yorkshire Dales being made into a national park.

Parking is free - either at the layby off the Hebden to Pateley Bridge road, or at the Yorkshire Water car park next to the reservoir.

Step by step

1. From the spacious layby on the B6265 Hebden to Pateley Bridge road - you can't miss it, it is some way past the entrance to Grimwith Reservoir and is gravel covered. Cross over the road and take the footpath signed Grimwith Reservoir, one and a quarter miles. Follow the obvious path as it climbs uphill to a wonderful viewpoint over Burnsall Moor. Follow the path downhill.

2. Continue along the path, crossing over a series of stiles, heading towards the reservoir in the distance, passing a stone barn on right, with some interesting looking old farm machinery outside. Continue downhill and over wall stile to reservoir path. Turn right along High Shaws Laithe.

3. You will pass Grimwith House on left. Continue along reservoir path, passing ruins of former buildings on left.

4. At head of dam, cross over wooden bridge and then gently uphill. Keep to path until you come to a three way finger post, go left here marked permitted path to car park.

5. Follow concrete wall next to reservoir, passing spaceship like control tower and exit at road, turn left.

6. Passing entrance to the Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club on your left, continue into Yorkshire Water Car Park. Walk through car park, through gate and take left hand permissive path marked waterside. Continue along path to thatched and restored barn on left. Rejoin path where you came in, and retrace steps back to start.

Fact file

Area: Yorkshire Dales National Park

Distance: A little more than six miles (10km)

Level of difficulty: Easy enough, but watch out for boggy bits on moorland, easily done in three hours

Terrain: Moorland and rough surfaced path around reservoir, a very small bit of quiet road

Parking: Free parking, either at large layby off B6265 Hebden to Pateley Bridge road, or at Yorkshire Water car park, also free and with picnic tables

Refreshments: None on route. Nearby Hebden and Grassington

OS Map: OL2 Explorer Yorkshire Dales, Southern and Western areas