Tucked into a huge glacier-carved embayment on the edge of the Peak District, Oldham’s Dovestone Reservoir (or Dove Stone Reservoir) is an RSPB reserve encompassing water, woodland and moor.
Rakes of immense cliffs and crags stride above, backed by Saddleworth’s high moorlands.
This extremely scenic walk first threads betwixt water and precipices, rising easily along an abandoned tramroad, curling through old woodland below commanding gritstone edges.
Descend then to circle the lake, with captivating panoramic views and a chance of seeing birds including peregrines and ravens, and even, perhaps, elusive white-furred mountain hares.
Dovestone Reservoir walk
5.5 miles / 8.8km | 3.5 hours | moderate | 146m ascent
1. Start
Leave the car park along Bradbury’s Lane (above toilet building). Beyond terrace housing, advance up the enclosed stony track. Already, great views stretch back across Chew Brook Valley to Dovestone and the looming moorland rims and hills.
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2. Bradbury Lane
Immediately before the renovated Fern Lee Farm (and tarmac), turn sharply back-left onto another rough old walled moorland track, rising gently across this lower reach of Alphin Pike’s voluminous flank. Occasional Oldham Way waymarks confirm the way.
The decent path – sporadically boggy – skims beside, then through, a storm-tossed plantation of conifers before advancing across gullies and open, reedy slopes. Pass above a ruinous small barn before entering walled Chew Piece; old deciduous woodland littered with huge rocks tumbled from Wimberry Stones, the extraordinary bristly buttress to your right.
Staying on the level, you’re walking the fractured route of a tramroad that carried materials to create Chew Reservoir; England’s highest when completed in the moors above in 1912.
Beyond the woods, the old trackbed courses well above Chew Brook, soon slinking through a vast area of boulders and shattered stones, with enticing views along the crimped edges of Saddleworth Moor.
3. Dovestone shore
Cross a sturdy footbridge; then rise to a gate across the nearby reservoir service road. Turn left to walk down the traffic-free lane. Just before the bridge over Chew Brook (1km), turn right onto the initially-tarred track (fingerpost Ashway Gap), joining this popular route slightly above the eastern margin of Dovestone Reservoir.
This scenic circuit is engineered to be accessible (from the car park) to wheelchairs, buggies and motorised chairs (RADAR key necessary). It slides through woodland, contouring below towering cliffs at Great and Little Dove Stone Rocks. Shortly after crossing a feeder culvert you’ll arrive at Yeoman Hay Reservoir dam.
4. Dovestone dam
Cross the dam and overflow, then turn immediately left up the access road. In 50m use the kissing-gate (RADAR) on your left to join the mainly waterside route to reach Dovestone dam. Cross the wide concrete footbridge and head across the dam’s crest back to the start.
Dovestone Reservoir map
Dovestone Reservoir walking route and map
Useful information
Start
Dovestone Reservoir car park, Greenfield (OL3 7NE). £2.20 (cash & card) for up to 4 hours (Sept 2023).
By bus: regular daily service 350 between Oldham and Ashton-under-Lyne; alight Clarence Hotel, Greenfield, ½mile walk.
Terrain
Undulating, one gradual climb. Grade moderate, 3 hours. Moor, woodland and waterside paths and tracks. C.12 stiles and gates. Muddy stretches. The round-reservoir path is fully accessible (chair users will require assistance; RADAR key needed). Dogs allowed.
Map
OS Explorer OL1
Eat/stay
The Clarence Hotel, Greenfield (01457 820200)
The Diggle Hotel, Diggle, Oldham OL3 5JZ (01457 872741)
