Introduction
Storm Ciaran is with us, but I decided it was still worth getting out for a short walk to enjoy some autumnal colour.
In fact, the weather was dark and moody with low cloud, but very little rain and only a very light breeze.
The walk is 4.5 miles and not too strenuous. It took 2.5 hours.
The country park is great for dog walking. The rest of the walk was on tracks, very minor roads and fields, some of which held horses.
It’s a 35 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to Strinesdale Country Park.
I walked in an anti-clockwise direction.
The walk is on OS Explorer Maps 277 and OL1.
I parked at the country park, postcode OL4 2JW (on Holgate Street, follow the signs to the RSPCA Centre).
Lower Strinesdale Reservoir To High Moor
From the car park the reservoir outfall is full to bursting.
The reservoir is quite small and pretty.
The path meanders through the trees, which are a mix of colours and bare branches.
At the far end of the reservoir, the outfall from the higher lake is also brimming with water.
From here, I headed uphill to the east, leaving the country park and taking in the open country.
At the farm, was a cat that didn’t really look like a dangerous guard to be honest!
I passed The Roebuck Inn and up Whitegates Lane. It’s strangely rough, moorside country. There are no sheep or cattle, but plenty of horses.
This one was friendly enough.
The High Moor Quarries have been filled in. The landfill is clearly producing a lot of gas.
Alongside the quarry fence, it’s clear that this isn’t a well used path. And it’s very wet in here!
High Moor To The Medlock Valley Way
I found my way through the wet undergrowth, towards a stream.
Despite the low cloud, the views were still marvellous up here.
It looked like a cyclo-cross track on the hillside opposite me.
I could just make out the village of Dobcrossl at the bottom of the valley to the east.
The mist lifted a little, and revealed more horses and a view over Delph to Castleshaw reservoirs.
At the junction of Badger Edge Lane and Hill Top Lane, I thought I saw a glimpse of sunlight.
It didn’t last, but the views from Hill Top Lane to the colourful woods in the valley were beautiful.
Leaving the road, I was soon at the obelisk and trig point at the top of the hill.
The land here is donated for the benefit of the people of Oldham.
The football pitches here haven’t seen use in some time, and the marsh plants are reclaiming them for nature.
Back To The Reservoirs
The Medlock Valley Way heads through the woods. It’s very wet underfoot here.
It was very underused as shown by the boardwalks.
Soon, I was heading downhill and out of the mist with the city centre of Manchester highlighted in sunlight.
The brook heads through a culvert under the road.
The path then wends its way alongside the brook in a delightful clough, Strine Dale.
Before long, I was back at the attractive reservoirs.
This is a lovely small country park. I’d like to come back in spring or summer.
Anyway, considering the awful weather forecast, this turned out to be a smashing couple of hours walk in an area I’d never previously considered visiting.
And Finally….
Lightbringer is a new album by Californian rockers Rival Sons.
A nice mix of songs; this one is “Redemption”.