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Dovestone and Chew Reservoirs

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Our view

"Two reservoirs built at the height of Manchester's industrial prominence."

Walk directions

From the car park walk up to the top of the Dovestone Reservoir dam and turn right, along the road past the sailing club. Where the plantation ends go over a bridge and keep straight on to follow a private service track that winds its way steadily up to the very top of the Chew Valley.

When you reach Chew Reservoir turn left and walk along the top of the dam. Just before it kinks right, drop to the foot of the embankment. Ignore a footpath sign over to the right and, with your back to the dam, head away along a broad but indistinct peaty path. Before long, the way becomes clearer and gradually firmer underfoot, curving gently to the right and joining the rocky edge above Dish Stone Brow.

With Dovestone Reservoir coming into view far below, continue along the high rim of the hillside past a series of rocky outcrops. After almost a mile (1.6km), the way passes the ruin of Bramley’s Cottage, built into the lee of a great boulder, and continues to a prominent cairn on Fox Stone above Great Dove Stone Rocks.

Beyond Great Dove Stone Rocks, the edge swings in above the deep, narrowing valley of Dove Stone Clough. After crossing a side stream, the path eventually reaches the head of the clough.

Cross another stream as it flows over a rocky shelf and head back above the opposite side of the ravine. Watch for a fork (grid ref SE 031040) and bear left, contouring the hill and dropping gently towards the reservoir. Keep left again as it splits once more a little further on (grid ref SE 031042). The monument seen ahead and above is a memorial to James Platt, who was killed nearby in a shooting accident in 1857. Now descending more purposefully, the path leads to a fence stile with a dog gate. Cross and turn left on a narrow path, contouring back through bracken towards the mouth of a tunnel bringing water from the valley head above Greenfield Reservoir. Keep left at a fork in the path, then cross another path, keeping straight ahead through bracken on a narrow path in the direction of the tunnel (in summer, when the bracken is high, it may be difficult to see the start of this path). Drop steeply to a stile and cross the aqueduct on a high footbridge.

Climb away to a stile and continue beside a fence through rocky debris beneath the impressive towering cliffs of Dean Rocks and Great Dove Stone Rocks. Eventually the path falls gently along a wide, grassy strip between a maturing plantation of conifers. Go through a gate and drop down across a rough, open pasture to reach the popular reservoir-side track. Turn left and follow this track all the way back to the car park.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Generally hard and rocky, some boggy patches on moorland top, some stiles

Landscape - Steep hillsides with rocky outcrops and open moorland

Dog friendliness - Mostly open sheep country subject to access agreements; dogs should be kept on lead or under close control at all times

Parking - Car park below Dovestone Reservoir dam (daily charge)

Toilets en route - By car park

Walks in Greater Manchester Dog-friendly walks in Greater Manchester

About the walk

Around 130 years ago, as the demands of Manchester’s industrial population grew, the need to supply the city with safe and sufficient drinking water became paramount. Inevitably the planners turned their attentions towards the Pennines, that formidable upland barrier that soaks up so much of... northern England’s rain. Before long a series of reservoirs sprang up across the hills that separated urban Lancashire and Yorkshire and, just as the counties’ rivers and streams had previously been harnessed for the mills, now the moorlands were drained and the tiny Pennine valleys dammed to create artificial lakes. The first of the four reservoirs collectively known as Dovestones was Yeoman Hey, constructed in 1880, and followed by Greenfield in 1902. When Chew Reservoir was built, 10 years later, it was the highest in Britain at around 1,600ft (488m). Dovestone Reservoir is the largest of the group and was completed in 1967. When Yeoman Hey was being planned, local mill owners were concerned that it would deprive them of essential water, so a tunnel was constructed from the confluence of Birchen Clough and Holme Clough to the Ashway Gap. This ensured water would continue flowing into Greenfield Brook, down a stepped weir, for use in the mills. Today the four vital reservoirs supply drinking water to Oldham and communities in the Tame Valley. They are owned and run by United Utilities, which provides water to nearly 3 million homes in northwest England. United Utilities actively encourages certain types of recreation around its reservoirs. Swimming is forbidden, because of the deep water and outlet pipes that can cause dangerous undercurrents, but sailing and windsurfing are enjoyed on Dovestone Reservoir, with regular races taking place. On the adjoining hillside there are two orienteering routes: look out for the small posts with helpful coloured markings and numbers. The popular 2.5-mile (4km) track around the shore of Dovestone Reservoir has been made suitable for wheelchair users, while the numerous paths and bridleways that explore the surrounding moors include the Oldham Way. The course of this superb circular, 40-mile (64.3km) walking route around the borough of Oldham can be seen as you set off from Dovestone Reservoir. It runs high and straight across the hillside to the south, on the route of a former steam tramway that was built a hundred years ago to aid the construction of Chew Reservoir.

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About the area

The Greater Manchester conurbation incorporates the towns of Bolton, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport and Wigan, and has the vibrant city of Manchester as its administrative headquarters. Manchester was founded in Roman times, and developed during the 17th century as a textile town, becoming the centre of the English cotton industry.

Route details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Challenging

Distance:

7 miles (11.3kms)

Ascent:

1400ft (427m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

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Dovestone and Chew Reservoirs

Recommended by

Our view

"Two reservoirs built at the height of Manchester's industrial prominence."

Walk details

Difficulty:

Medium

Gradient:

Challenging

Distance:

7 miles (11.3kms)

Ascent:

1400ft (427m)

Walk directions

1 of 6

2 of 6

3 of 6

Beyond Great Dove Stone Rocks, the edge swings in above the deep, narrowing valley of Dove Stone Clough. After crossing a side stream, the path eventually reaches the head of the clough.

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5 of 6

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Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Generally hard and rocky, some boggy patches on moorland top, some stiles

Landscape - Steep hillsides with rocky outcrops and open moorland

Dog friendliness - Mostly open sheep country subject to access agreements; dogs should be kept on lead or under close control at all times

Parking - Car park below Dovestone Reservoir dam (daily charge)

Toilets en route - By car park

Walks in Greater Manchester Dog-friendly walks in Greater Manchester

About the walk

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

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Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

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Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

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Walking in Safety

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About the area

Greater Manchester

Dovestone and Chew Reservoirs

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Walking in Safety

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Dovestone and Chew Reservoirs

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