Scaling Dam Route Details

Despite being the shortest route in this guide, this route manages to pack a lot of fun riding into 9 miles. Sadly, it starts with some unavoidable road riding, but soon goes up onto the moors. The short length of the route, plus the lack of large climbs would make this a good route for a beginner; although more experienced riders would enjoy parts of it too.

Muddy due to the peat surface, and sometimes boggy in places, but could be ridden in winter.

There are lots of other bridleways and track in the area. Unfortunately, many of the bridleways are overgrown and quite frankly impossible to follow. I know, as I’ve tried. But if this doesn’t put you off, then we’d recommend the one which goes from NZ 747 113 to NZ 758 124 as being very rideable. Don’t be tempted to try the other ones on the moor around the lake as they are not very easy to follow on the ground.

There are no special hazards although you should be familiar with navigation on moorlands, especially if the mist comes down. 

Park at the car park for Scaling Dam Sailing Club.

Turn left as you come out the car park and follow the A 171 west for 1.70 miles unto you reach NZ 712 118. There’s a BW waymark on both sides of the road and gate on the right has ‘Scugdale Farm’ on it. Turn left, go through the gate and up over a small hill onto moorland. When you reach the road, turn right and look for a gravel track heading straight on as the road turns sharply left.

Head down the gravel track for 0.6 of a mile until you see a metal pole with ‘bridleway’ marked on it, on both sides of the track. Turn left and follow the rough rutted ‘double track’ path south. The path twists and turns, but you’ll know you are in the right place when you come to a stone pillar with two yellow blobs painted on it. The path then becomes single track which heads off down the moors. Watch out for the deep, but hidden drainage ditches which cross the path. When you are about 100 yards for the road, look for another path crossing the one you are on. Turn left on this path which is surfaced with stone slabs, and carry on until you reach the road.

At the road turn left and head up hill. Look for the second bridle way on the right hand side, about quarter of a mile after where you joined the road. Turn right onto this BW which follows the fence marking the edge of the moors. The path is very rocky, but generally dry, and is fun riding. When you reach the road, turn left again and head up hill until you arrive at the summit of Beacon Hull and an old fashioned signpost.

Take the rough track heading east slightly downhill. After 0.4 of a mile you will see a waymark for a BW to the left. Turn left and follow the path. There is a fork in the path as soon as you join it from the track, but you want the right-hand fork, as the left just peters out. Ride down the fast singletrack descent until you come to a junction with a landrover track. The map shows the BW you want, slighty further to the east than the actual track you can see on the ground. Follow the defacto track down the small valley, and then after the track ends just follow the sheep track along side the stream. Route finding can be a bit tough, but just follow the sheep tracks as best you can towards the footbridge you should see in front of you.

When you reach a gate by a footbridge, go through the gate, and turn left. Go over the footbridge and carry on along the path which runs between two fences. There are boggy patches which have been bridged by wooden boards, which can be quite fun to try and ride over. Beware how slipperly wet wood can be! Follow the path around the lake, to eventually arrive at the main road. Then turn right and after 100 yards you will see the entrance to the car park on the right.