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AA - 50 Walks - Peak District

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AASW525
RRP £13.99
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AA - 50 Walks - Peak District
AA - 50 Walks - Peak District

The AA - 50 Walks in The Peak District

(Walks from 2 to 10 miles)

The Peak District National Park was the first national park to be established in England (in 1951) and protects 542sq miles (1404sq km) of this precious environment.

Sitting at the base of the Pennines, with one foot in the North and one in the Midlands, there's plenty of wonderful walks to be enjoyed here. Make sure to pack this slim line walking guide allowing you to discover 50 of the regions best routes of 2 to 10 miles.

  • Fascinating background reading on the history and wildlife of the area,
  • Clear OS-based mapping for ease of use,
  • Every route has been colour coded according to difficulty,
  • Annotations for local points of interest and places to stop for refreshments,
  • Summary of distance, time, gradient, level of difficulty, type of surface and access, landscape, dog friendliness, parking and public toilets.

 

Sample walk: Dovestone and Chew Reservoirs

Distance: 7 miles (11.3km)
Minimum Time: 4hrs 30min
Ascent: 1,400 feet (427m)
Gradient: 3
Difficulty: 2
Paths: Generally hard and rocky, some boggy patches on moorland top, some stiles
Landscape: Steep hillsides with rocky outcrops and open moorland
Suggested Map: OS Explorer OL1 Dark Peak
Start Grid Reference: SE013034
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)
Public Toilet: By car park

Background reading

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.  Four reservoirs Today the four vital reservoirs supply drinking water to Oldham and communities in the Tame Valley. They are owned and run by United Utilities, who provide water to nearly 3 million homes in Northwest England. In total the water company owns over 140,850 acres (57,000ha) of water-gathering land and reservoirs throughout the Peak District, Lake District and West Pennines.   Recreation 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 take place 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 100 years ago to aid the construction of Chew Reservoir.

Directions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Beyond Great Dove Stone Rocks, the edge swings in above the deep, narrowing valley of Dove Stone Clough. After later crossing a side stream, the path eventually reaches the head of the clough.
5. Cross the 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 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 to 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 start of this path). Drop steeply to a stile and cross the aqueduct on a high footbridge.
6. 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.

While you're there

A visit to the Saddleworth Museum and Art Gallery, which is located just 2.5 miles (4km) from Dovestones on the High Street in Uppermill, is highly recommended. The former canalside woollen mill is stuffed full of curiosities and intriguing snippets of local history –from farming to brass bands, Roman soldiers to weaving mills. It's open every afternoon and includes hands-on exhibits for children and informative displays.

Where to eat and drink

On sunny weekends the occasional ice cream van is always a welcome addition to the Dovestones car park. Otherwise, the nearest place for refreshments is a pub called The Clarence, about a mile (1.6km) away in Greenfield, which serves food daily. For more choice you'll have to try the cafes and pubs of nearby Uppermill.

What to look out for

When walking from Dovestones to Chew Reservoir, look up high to Wimberry Rocks on your right. By tilting your head slightly to the right, you should be able to make out the famous Indian's Head. Later, as you stand on the edge of the moors above Dovestone Reservoir, taking in the splendid panorama westwards, a small but distinctively pointed hill a mile (1.6km) beyond the reservoir (and topped by a war memorial) tends to catch the eye. It's known as Pots and Pans and its odd-shaped rocks contain weathered holes that were once rumoured to have been specially deepened to hold the wine of well-to-do grouse shooters!

More Information
Series 50 Walks Series
Brand AA
Continent Europe
Country England
Region Derbyshire
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