23rd August 2014 - The Saddleworth Edges
Walk Details
Distance walked: 9.4 miles
Total ascent: 1801 ft
OS map used: OL1 - The Peak District, Dark Peak area
Time taken: 5 hrs
Route description: Dove Stone Reservoir-Yeoman Hey Reservoir-Greenfield Reservoir-Greenfield Brook-Birchen Clough-Raven Stones-Ashway Rocks-Dean Rocks-Fox Stone-Dish Stone Brow-Chew Reservoir-Chew Road-Dove Stone Reservoir
A fine afternoon is forecast so I make the short drive to Saddleworth for a walk along the edges above the trio of reservoirs at Dove Stone. This corner of the Peak District is actually the closest bit of National Park to where I live. It was dry apart from a light shower on Raven Stones despite some of the dark clouds that were building up but it became pretty windy as I walked along the edges. The visibility was very good so I had some great views and there's some heather here as well.
From the car park at Dove Stone I followed the track around the reservoir and up past Yeoman Hey and Greenfield Reservoirs to its end at the weir on Greenfield Brook. I then made my way up Birchen Clough and onto the edge at Raven Stones. I then followed the path along the edge past Ashway Rocks, Dean Rocks, the Fox Stone and Dish Stone Brow to the Chew Reservoir. I then walked down the Chew Road to Dove Stone.
Total ascent: 1801 ft
OS map used: OL1 - The Peak District, Dark Peak area
Time taken: 5 hrs
Route description: Dove Stone Reservoir-Yeoman Hey Reservoir-Greenfield Reservoir-Greenfield Brook-Birchen Clough-Raven Stones-Ashway Rocks-Dean Rocks-Fox Stone-Dish Stone Brow-Chew Reservoir-Chew Road-Dove Stone Reservoir
A fine afternoon is forecast so I make the short drive to Saddleworth for a walk along the edges above the trio of reservoirs at Dove Stone. This corner of the Peak District is actually the closest bit of National Park to where I live. It was dry apart from a light shower on Raven Stones despite some of the dark clouds that were building up but it became pretty windy as I walked along the edges. The visibility was very good so I had some great views and there's some heather here as well.
From the car park at Dove Stone I followed the track around the reservoir and up past Yeoman Hey and Greenfield Reservoirs to its end at the weir on Greenfield Brook. I then made my way up Birchen Clough and onto the edge at Raven Stones. I then followed the path along the edge past Ashway Rocks, Dean Rocks, the Fox Stone and Dish Stone Brow to the Chew Reservoir. I then walked down the Chew Road to Dove Stone.
Route map
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Setting off beside the Dove Stone Reservoir
Passing the head of Dove Stone from the dam of Yeoman Hey
Dean Rocks and Yeoman Hey Reservoir
Looking back at the head of Yeoman Hey and Alderman's Hill
Greenfield Reservoir with Raven Stones Brow above
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Time to head up Birchen Clough. On my previous times here I've been making my way down and found a bit of it quite tricky to get past. Going up was easier.
The Trinnacle
Greenfield Reservoir from Raven Stones
Sunshine and heather brighten up Saddleworth Moor
On Ashway Rocks. Looking across Dove Stone Reservoir to Alphin Pike.
Past the memorial cross to a former local MP
Another stop on Dean Rocks
Alderman's Hill with Winter Hill and the West Pennine Moors in the distance
Another stop at the cairn on the Fox Stone
There are some dark clouds around but fortunately the wind is blowing them away from me
Dove Stone Reservoir below and the village of Greenfield beyond
Looking back at the Fox Stone and over the top of nearby Alderman's Hill I can make out the hills above Todmorden in Calderdale in the distance along with a bit of Pendle Hill.
My last stop was here on Dish Stones Brow and I waited a while for the sun to come out for this shot over Dove Stone Reservoir to the distant West Pennine Moors and South Pennines.
Chew Reservoir. I now have a walk down the access road.
As I near its end I turn round to have a look back at its quite impressive craggy surrounds
Alderman's Hill ahead and I'll soon be back on the path by Dove Stone