Balderhead Reservoir Circular Walk

Parking and access

We parked at the main car park beside Balderhead Reservoir, which is a simple and easy place to start this walk. The car park is free to use and sits right next to the reservoir dam, so you step straight into open views as soon as you set off. There are no facilities here, so it’s worth arriving prepared, but the setting itself makes it a lovely place to begin and end the walk, especially early in the morning or later in the day when the area feels particularly quiet.

Route description

From the car park beside Balderhead Reservoir, start the walk by heading straight over the dam. This is a lovely way to begin, especially early in the day, when the light shimmers across the water and views open out across both Balderhead and Blackton Reservoirs.

Once over the dam, continue up the main track towards the house ahead, which was previously used as an outdoor centre. When you reach the house, turn right and follow the wall. From this point, the character of the walk changes noticeably as the route moves onto open moorland. Paths become much less distinct here, and there is no single obvious line to follow, so it is best to use a map and choose a route that suits the conditions and your own confidence.

From this open section, it is sometimes possible to spot Water Knott Gill Waterfall running down from Blea Rigg, depending on recent rainfall. Continuing on across the moor, keeping roughly parallel with the reservoir, you will reach Gill Sike Waterfall. The route then rises gently uphill towards Bleagill Head Waterfall, another small but peaceful cascade tucked into the hillside. Beyond this point, the walk passes the grouse butts, where the landscape feels even more open, quiet and remote.

This is where you have a choice. You can continue on the main loop, or make a short out-and-back detour to Mir Gill Waterfall. In our opinion, if you are already here, it is well worth popping over for a look. To reach Mir Gill, follow the gill uphill to its head, where an easy-to-follow path drops down towards the waterfall. The descent is steep in places with loose stones, so care is needed, but the waterfall itself is a lovely, tucked-away spot and feels well worth the effort.

After visiting Mir Gill, retrace your steps back to the grouse butts and rejoin the main route. From here, follow the track downhill, where you will pass another small, unnamed waterfall. It is nothing grand, but it is a pleasant surprise and adds to the sense that water is never far away on this walk.

Continue down to a bridge and cross over. After the bridge, turn right, where the River Balder flows into the reservoir. Follow the clearly marked track as it curves around the water’s edge, crossing a small bridge before joining a single-track lane. This final section follows the reservoir on your right-hand side and makes for a gentle and scenic finish back to the car park. Just before returning, keep an eye out for the old limekiln on your left, a small but interesting reminder of the area’s past.

This is a challenging but rewarding walk. Much of the southern side of the reservoir lies on open access land, allowing you to choose your own line in places, but the ground can be rough and uneven, with hidden gullies and holes. We managed to find a couple knee-deep by accident. Around Mir Gill in particular, the terrain is steep and care really must be taken. This page is intended as a guide only, and good navigation skills, suitable footwear and an understanding of your own limits are essential.

While the waterfalls on this route are not large, they are peaceful, calming and beautifully suited to the quiet character of this walk. For those who enjoy space, solitude and exploring beyond the obvious paths, this circular route around Balderhead Reservoir is a deeply satisfying way to spend a few hours.

What you’ll see on this walk

This circular walk around Balderhead Reservoir is all about space, quiet scenery and small details rather than big landmarks. The open moorland, wide reservoir views and scattered waterfalls create a route that feels peaceful, remote and gently rewarding throughout.

The waterfalls you’ll pass are not large or dramatic, but each has its own character and sits naturally within the landscape. Combined with changing light across the water, long views and the sense of freedom that comes with open access land, this walk offers a strong feeling of escape from busier parts of Teesdale.

A moment of calm at Balderhead Reservoir

This circular walk around Balderhead Reservoir shows how quickly the landscape can quieten the mind. Once you leave the dam behind, the open moorland, wide skies and steady presence of water create a sense of space that is hard to find elsewhere. The small waterfalls scattered around the route add gentle movement and sound, encouraging you to slow down and notice the details.

At Outdoor Exploring Family, we believe walks like this matter. Not because they are dramatic or busy, but because they offer time to breathe, to think, or simply to be outdoors without pressure. This walk is not about ticking off landmarks, but about enjoying the calm that comes from being surrounded by open land, water and silence.

About this walking guide

This guide is part of Discover Teesdale by the Outdoor Exploring Family, our local guide to walks, waterfalls and peaceful places across Teesdale. This route has been walked and photographed by us and reflects real conditions on the ground, including open access moorland, rough terrain and less defined paths.

It is designed for confident walkers who enjoy quieter, more remote routes and who are comfortable navigating beyond clearly marked paths. The information here is intended as a guide only, helping you plan and explore this area with a better understanding of what to expect.