Top 5 Lakes around Stirton With Thorlby

The area around Stirton With Thorlby, while not having large lakes directly within the parish, offers several popular options in the wider North Yorkshire region. Embsay Reservoir is a well-loved spot for walking and sailing, while Winterburn Reservoir provides peaceful walks. Further afield, Malham Tarn is a unique natural lake known for its ecological significance.

Embsay Reservoir is excellent for various activities. You can enjoy a popular 1-mile walk around its perimeter, or use it as a starting point for longer hikes to Embsay Crag, which offers panoramic views. It's also home to the Craven Sailing Club, making it a great spot for sailing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Angling opportunities are also available through the Skipton Angling Association.

Yes, several lakes offer family-friendly walking options. The 1-mile walk around Embsay Reservoir is popular and easy. Upper Barden Reservoir also features easy paths and footways suitable for most walkers. Malham Tarn has accessible walks, including a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk loop, making it suitable for families with strollers or those needing easier terrain.

Malham Tarn is exceptional for nature and wildlife. As England's highest marl lake and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, it supports rare species of plants and animals. You can spot six fish species, white-clawed crayfish, and various birdlife like great crested grebe, moorhen, and tufted duck. The adjacent Tarn Moss also hosts unique species such as wild cranberry and round-leaved sundew.

Gormire Lake, located in the North York Moors, is popular for wild swimming due to its clean, surprisingly warm water and lack of currents. However, visitors should be aware that swimmers have reported leeches. It's important to exercise caution and be aware of local conditions and any potential restrictions.

Beyond walking around the lakes themselves, the region offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can find numerous hiking trails, including easy hikes like the 'Leeds and Liverpool Canal – Holy Trinity Church, Skipton loop' (Easy hikes around Stirton With Thorlby). Cycling is also popular, with routes like the 'Grassington village – Bolton Priory Ruins loop' (Cycling around Stirton With Thorlby), and gravel biking options such as the 'Barden Moor Track loop' (Gravel biking around Stirton With Thorlby).

While many water bodies in the immediate vicinity are reservoirs like Embsay and Winterburn, North Yorkshire is home to significant natural lakes. Malham Tarn in the Yorkshire Dales National Park is a unique natural marl lake, and Gormire Lake in the North York Moors is one of only four natural lakes in Yorkshire, known for its secluded setting and folklore.

Winterburn Reservoir is ideal for those seeking a serene experience. It's known for its peaceful walks around the reservoir, offering tranquility away from more crowded areas of the Dales. The paths are generally easy and provide pleasant views.

The warmer months are generally best for visiting the lakes, especially for activities like sailing at Embsay Reservoir. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures for walking and enjoying the scenery, with fewer crowds than peak summer. Winter can be beautiful but requires appropriate gear for potentially muddy or icy conditions on trails.

Malham Tarn has historical significance, with evidence of Stone Age hunters found along its shoreline. Gormire Lake is particularly rich in folklore and legends, with tales of it being bottomless, an entrance to hell, a submerged village, and a knight and the Devil plunging into its depths, adding a mysterious allure to the lake.

For breathtaking panoramic views, head to View of Embsay Reservoir from Embsay Crag. From Embsay Crag, you can see over the moors to the north and Airedale and Skipton to the south and west, with Embsay Reservoir nestled below. The views from the Cleveland Way atop Sutton Bank, overlooking Gormire Lake, are also considered among the finest in England.

The village of Embsay, located just 3 miles south of Embsay Reservoir, offers pubs and cafes. For other lakes, amenities might be found in nearby villages or towns, such as Skipton, which is a short distance from both Embsay and Winterburn Reservoirs.