What is Cow Green Reservoir?
England, europe
3 km
510 m
extreme
Year-round
Nestled high up on the border between Cumbria and County Durham, Cow Green Reservoir sits pretty at 510m above sea level. This little gem holds back a whopping 40,000 million litres of water and stretches for 3km, so it's quite the sight.
Getting there is part of the adventure! The road is fully paved, but be warned, it's a bit on the narrow side – expect some cozy moments if you meet another car. Starting from the village of Langdon Beck, the climb is a 4.66km push with some seriously steep sections hitting a 9% gradient. You'll end up at a car park. From there, a private road continues 2 miles to the dam and the awesome Cauldron Snout.
The road is usually open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather, especially in winter. Being high up, conditions can change in a heartbeat, and it can get pretty chilly. The water even freezes over in the winter!
Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! The views are incredible, with panoramas stretching out to Cross Fell, Great and Little Dun Fells, Meldon Hill, Mickle Fell, and other stunning North Pennine peaks. Get your camera ready!
Road Details
- Country
- England
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 3 km
- Max Elevation
- 510 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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