Combs Reservoir To Chapel-en-le-Frith Railway Station

Introduction

There was a moody, damp feel to the day as I set out this morning.

It’s a 35 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to Combs Reservoir.

The walk is 6.1 miles with over 1000 feet of ascent, in two separate climbs, with the pretty village of Combs interjecting between them.

It took 3 hours, and I was back at the car for lunch.

This is a good walk for dogs, being mainly on fenced tracks, paths, and very quiet single track roads.

I walked in an anticlockwise direction.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24 .

I parked at the free reservoir car park, postcode SK23 9UN.

Combs Reservoir To Long Lane

Combs Reservoir is owned and managed by the Canal and River Trust . It is a feeder reservoir for The Peak Forest Canal, and it’s full!

Meveril Brook once ran down the valley. Now, much of it runs into the reservoir, and a channel has been created to maintain a consistent water flow, and this part of the brook now bypasses the reservoir. My return route comes along the path between the 2 bodies of water.

For now, I crossed the railway bridge and made my way up the road, and then straight up onto a path, which was also a stream! here’s the view back towards the reservoir.

The stone walls here provide a treat for moss lovers.

It’s a beautiful walk up here, and the view soon becomes worth the effort.

Long Lane is in fact just a stone track, and one where I just kept stopping to take in the view.

Firstly, to the northwest where the sun was shining in the distance.

Then northeast to the reservoir.

Long Lane To Combs

Having traversed Ladder Hill, I was now walking downhill quite rapidly.

When the track becomes a road, I turned left and made my way into the centre of Combs, and past The Beehive, not yet opening time, unfortunately.

I took the right then stayed left to make my way through the village, and come to a small roadside stream.

Rather than follow the road and stream I took the path left up a hill, signposted to Chapel-en-le-Frith Station.

Here the sheep were nuzzling in for brunch.

Up To Castle Naze

Rather than head to the station, I took a path through a gate on the right, towards a farm, where there were plenty of birds being kept. Will they make it beyond Christmas?

The farm drive led back to the road which is a steep climb, evidenced by the arrow on the map!

At the top, I found myself at the cloudbase.

The Highland Cattle are in their element here! Gorgeous.

There is a path onto the moors here, leading to the ancient fort. That’s not on my route, but I will return here, perhaps in the summer, to walk round the moorland.

For those who may be lost, a random post stands here too, overlooking the town whose name it carries!

Down To The Railway

From here, the road begins to descend through the mist.

At the next turn, I took a left, past Ridge Hall, and in no time at all, I came to the station.

I crossed the tracks and went immediately left onto a path which is a good standard, being the path which anyone from Combs would use to walk the mile or so to the station.

The line serves trains between Manchester and Buxton, where it now terminates.

It still operates with old style signalling, and short diesel trains.

There was unexpected wildlife here too!

Combs Reservoir

I turned under the bridge when I reached the road, crossing a wet field and down towards Meveril Brook.

I detoured to look at the arrangement that funnelled some water into the bypass stream and the remainder into the reservoir, then after a bit of toing and froing, I located my pathway, between the bypass and the reservoir. It was muddy here, but a very pretty path.

There were lovely views over the water to the sailing club, and familiar fairways of Chapel-en-le-Frith Golf Club.

I was pleased to find that the last half mile was on a recently constructed shale path. Perhaps they will extend this to the end of the Trust’s land. So, soon I arrived back at the dam, and bridge where I started out.

This is a fantastic walk.

In summer, I’d recommend parking in Combs (or take the train and start from the station), booking a table at The Beehive, and completing the whole walk, or either half of it, before a hearty meal and a couple of pints!

And Finally….

The Years Go Fast is a new album by The Cadillac Three. This track is Pistols On The Levee.