Introduction
Having spent last week in Cornwall, the lure of the South Pennine moors offered a contrast to the rugged coastline, crashing waves and hidden coves of the Penwith peninsula.
The weather was marvellous, starting mean, misty and moody, yet with a warm breeze, then turning sumptuously sunny and warm.
The walk is approximately 9 miles with 1216ft, 370m, of ascent to tackle.
Littleborough is about 45 minutes drive from Cheadle Hulme and the walk took 3hours 30 minutes to complete, plus a 20 minute lunch stop.
For dog walkers, the walk is excellent. The open moors up to Blackstone Edge Reservoir were sheep-free so lots of scope for a good run around! There is no more than 200 yards of road walking!
The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL21.
The start is at the oddly named Summit Inn, postcode OL15 9QX. It’s in a valley on an uphill stretch of road. However the hamlet it’s in is called Summit – no idea why! There is a track on the left of the pub that leads to a small public car park, but I found it easy to park on the main road.
Chelburn
The route crosses the Rochdale Canal before passing a disused quarry.
Following the track round to the left over an outfall stream, and up through a gate I’m immediately out onto Chelburn Moor. From here it’s a steady rise out into the misty morning.
I can tell the cloud is going to burn away….. but not when!
Blackstone Edge
The rise terminates at a junction with the Pennine Way, where I turn right to follow the iconic route to Blackstone Edge Reservoir.It seems this was initilly built to provide a water supply to the Rochdale Canal, but is now used for drinking water supply.
The short section down the A58 takes me past the White House pub. I’m soon back on the moors, and the clouds are still with me. The view down to Higher Chelburn Reservoir shows it to be decidedly low on water! It’s been a pleasingly dry summer for the most part in Greater Manchester.
I have a choice to make when I reach the Roman road. Take in the summit and trig point on Blackstone Edge, or simply turn back downhill for a shorter walk. I can’t resist, and head straight on until I am level with the trig point. There is no marked path here. However, there is a teacher with 6 teenagers heading down the slope, so I head up across the moorland straight for the trig point.
It proves a great decision as the views from here are a joy.
Looping back onto the Pennine Way I pass some interesting rock formations.
Taking in this section has also allowed me to pass the ancient Aiggin Stone.
Going Down
From here, it’s a steady descent, the first part being on a cobbled track defined as a Roman Road on the map. It’s wonderful to think about how many have trodden this way before me, and how different the landscape may have looked down the centuries.
Just before reaching the A58 again, I take a left, and notice how the weather has changed, along with the nature of the countryside.
I decide to take lunch when my track meets the rather quiet Whittaker Golf Club. I only see one group of golfers during my 20 minute stop on a trackside bench conveniently situated behind the 6th tee.
After passing another couple of greens the path enters Ealees Wood.It’s a pretty spot with a babbling brook.
The path eventually emerges at a farm track, after which I cross a road, and reach Lock 58 on the Rochdale Canal.
Rochdale Canal
Completed in 1804, it was the first canal to cross the Pennines. It runs from Castlefield in the trendy heart of Manchester to Sowerby Bridge in Yorkshire.
This is a lovely section with views back up to the moors, the peace occasionally disturbed by a passing train on the adjacent rail line.
And soon I’m back at “The Summit”! All in all a splendid day out.
And Finally….
My entertainment last night was a wonderful live concert by The Wendy James Band in the intimate surroundings of The Deaf Institute in Manchester. So good to be gigging again!
As well as her new music from the acclaimed album Queen High Straight, she played some of her Transvision Vamp back catalogue, some of which, she remarked, were released before many of her current band members were born. This is The Only One from 1989.