Top 8 Lakes around Muggleswick

The lakes around Muggleswick are primarily reservoirs, originally constructed for water supply. They are nestled within the tranquil landscapes of County Durham, part of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering scenic beauty and opportunities for outdoor activities. These include Derwent Reservoir, Smiddy Shaw Reservoir, and Hisehope Reservoir.

Yes, Derwent Reservoir offers popular walking paths along its banks and across its dam. While half of the reservoir loop is along a quiet road, the area provides expansive views across the Derwent Valley. You can find easy hikes around Muggleswick, including routes near Derwent Reservoir, by exploring the Easy hikes around Muggleswick guide.

Waskerley Reservoir, the largest of the three on Muggleswick Common, offers varied walking routes. Paths often follow the reservoir's edge, providing routes through open moorland and tranquil waters suitable for various activity levels. The area is known for its wildlife, including breeding upland birds. You can find routes like the 'Smiddy Shaw and Hisehope loop from Waskerley' in the Hiking around Muggleswick guide.

Yes, Hisehope Reservoir channels its waters to Smiddy Shaw Reservoir through a small connecting canal, making it very pleasant to hike between them. Public footpaths run close to both reservoirs, and there are routes like the 'Hisehope Reservoir – Smiddy Shaw Reservoir loop from Hawkburn Head' available in the Hiking around Muggleswick guide.

Waskerley Reservoir is highly valued for its wildlife, being an important habitat for breeding upland birds like red grouse, lapwing, and merlin. It features a small conifer plantation with Sitka spruce and Scots pine, as well as a small broad-leaved plantation, making it the most varied of the reservoirs on Muggleswick Common.

Yes, public car parking is available at several reservoirs. For instance, parking is considered easiest at Waskerley Reservoir among the three on Muggleswick Common. Smiddy Shaw Reservoir also offers accessible public car parking.

Yes, fishing is a popular activity at several reservoirs. Smiddy Shaw Reservoir is stocked with Brown Trout, and Waskerley Reservoir is regularly stocked with both Brown and Rainbow Trout. Hisehope Reservoir is known as a catch-and-release reservoir for Brown Trout. Tunstall Reservoir also offers both boat and bank fishing.

The lakes are beautiful year-round, but the heather-dominated grouse moors surrounding reservoirs like Hisehope Reservoir are particularly scenic in August and September when the heather is in bloom. This period offers vibrant colors and pleasant walking conditions.

Many of the lakes and their surrounding trails are dog-friendly. For example, Derwent Reservoir, Hisehope Reservoir, and Smiddy Shaw Reservoir are all listed as dog-friendly. Always ensure dogs are kept under control, especially in areas with wildlife or livestock.

Yes, there are several easy walks. The Tunstall Reservoir Circular Walk is a nice 3 km walk around the reservoir, though the east side can be narrow and rough. You can find other easy routes, such as the 'Smiddy Shaw and Hisehope loop from Waskerley', in the Easy hikes around Muggleswick guide.

Beyond walking and hiking, the area offers opportunities for gravel biking. You can explore routes like the 'View of Lanchester Valley – Deerness path loop from Consett' or the 'Derwent Walk – Wylam Bridge loop from Shotley Bridge'. More details can be found in the Gravel biking around Muggleswick guide.

Yes, the moorland around the reservoirs has a rich history of lead mining. For instance, near Sikehead Dam, you can observe the well-preserved chimney of the Jeffrey Smelt Mill, which was part of the mining operations. The dam itself was also used for the mines.