Introduction
I was back up on the moors today with magnificent views over the ever popular and beautiful Dovestone Reservoir.
Mossley is a small town to the east of Oldham. However, it actually lies in the borough of Tameside, and is just a 35 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme.
This is a ten mile walk overtracks and open moor. It took 4 hours 15 minutes, plus a 15 minute lunch stop.
The weather was mainly cloudy, warm, with a light cool breeze; fine for walking.
There is a lot of track walking, particularly at the start where it would be suitable for dogs to run off the lead, but also a lot of open moor with sheep and moorland birds nesting, where the lead is essential.
I parked near the Quarry entrance on Castle Lane, but would recommend parking at the bottom of Castle Lane, Cowbury Green, Stalybridge Country Park, postcode SK15 3FN, and walk up to my start point to tackle the walk clockwise.
The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL1.
Oldham Way
The first hour of the walk took the Oldham Way, fairly easy walking, circling the hills on my right, and giving pleasant views over Mossley, Grasscroft and Greenfield. Eventually, Dovestone Reservoir came into view.
There were lapwings in the fields and warding off marauding jackdaws in the sky.
Alphin Pike
Just after reaching the conifer plantation, my route was to take me up the steep slope to the summit of Alphin Pike. A couple, Roger and Wendy, were coming down as I was about to head up. However, they were also wanting to head up, but said the path was blocked 50m up the hill by a barbed wire fence. I assured them that the OS mapping was showing this as a route, so we went up and decided to squeeze under the fence. Not much decorum, but effective.
We stopped a little further up for photos against the backdrop of Dovestone Reservoir.
We proceeded with caution, as it was steep with slippery peat (who invited “Slippery Pete?”), and loose scree (and “Lou Scree”?) .
At the top we were rewarded with a great view over the Manchester conurbation from the trig point.
Wimberry Stones and Chew Brook
From here, the path along the top of the steep sided Chew Brook Valley is surely one of the best in the Peak District for its views of rocky outcrops and Dovestone Reservoir.
At Wimberry Stones I chatted to a man and his 6 -7 year old son, and took a photo of them (on their phone).
The spectacular views continued.
Zooming in on that view I could see that Wendy and Roger had now joined the man and boy!
From the highest point of the ridge, the views west to the city returned, whilst Dovestone was still in view.
Before leaving the Chew valley, I stopped for lunch and took in the last view down.
Across The Moors To Swineshaw Reservoirs
There’s a path on the map… but not on the ground. I was grateful for the OS Maps app and the GPS signal. If in doubt take the trail of the lonesome pine. The boulders lurking in the spongy grass made for slow progress, despite it being generally downhill.
I rather liked these sheep with black faces, and white muzzles and eye patches.
I’ve no idea what breed this is.
The Lower and Higher Swineshaw reservoirs are a nice change of scenery. The Higher is distinctly low on water, symptomatic of the dry weather this spring!
The Last Stretch
I was tiring now, and struggled into a head wind up the hill away from the reservoirs. I was pleased to reach the top of the track!
I descended the delightful, and also steep Shireclough valley, keeping left of the stream, as my intended path to the right was invisible!
I made my way past the new houses at Carrbrook and up the hill to the car.
The Alphin Pike to Chew Valley section of the walk is amazing, and can be easily tackled from the car park at Dovestone Reservoir, taking the United Utilities road up to Chew Reservoir, a gradual ascent, then walking the edge to Alphin Pike.
The route I took across the moors was difficult to find, so not recommended for inexperienced walkers!
And Finally….
Stockport’s favourite muscal sons, Blossoms, have a new album out this week. From Ribbon Around The Bomb, this is “Ode To NYC”. Very catchy, classic Blossoms!