Dovestone Reservoir Walk

INTRODUCTION

Dovestone Reservoir is located on the edge of the Peak District National Park, near Oldham, Greater Manchester. The reservoir is surrounded by stunning moorland and hills, including Saddleworth Moor.

Dovestone Reservoir is a picturesque spot and a popular destination for a walk. There are various scenic walking trails around this area.

Dovestone Reservoir was constructed in 1967 to help meet the water needs of the local population. The reservoir is part of a system, including Yeoman Hey and Greenfield reservoirs, that supplies water to surrounding areas.

The surrounding area has also evidence of Saddleworth’s industrial heritage.

Path around Dovestone Reservoir

THINGS TO DO

Walking: There are several walking routes around the reservoir, suitable for all abilities. Some trails are wheelchair and stroller-friendly. The circular path around the water is accessible and well-maintained, making it ideal for families.
Bird Watching: The area is a RSPB reserve with diverse bird species and other wildlife. It’s an excellent spot for birdwatching.
Rock Climbing: There is a large concentration of Crags making it an ideal place to rock climb, e.g. Dovestone Edge.
Horse Ridding: Dovestone Reservoir is part of the Pennine Bridleway.
Sailing: There is also a sailing club that provides sailing lessons.
The reservoir is also a lovely place for a picnic or a leisurely walk with your dog.

TRANSPORT

By car: It is about 14ml (45min drive) from the city of Manchester.
By public transport: Train from Manchester city centre to Greenfield station and then bus No 350 to Clarence Hotel and then walk. There are also buses from Oldham.

View of Greenfield Reservoir

PARKING

There is the main car park managed by Oldham Council located close to the sailing club. It is a pay-and-display car park.

RSPB members can park here for free with their membership card on display on the windscreen.

The car park often fills up during weekends and holidays, so arriving early is advised.

Alternatively, there is a smaller RSPB car park at Binn Green, off the A635 Greenfield to Holmfirth Road.

FACILITIES

There are toilet facilities and picnic areas.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

Saddleworth Villages: Explore traditional villages like Uppermill, known for their charm, cafes, and independent shops.
Saddleworth Museum: A local museum into the area’s history.

View from Dovestones Edge

WALKS AND HIKING TRAILS

1. Dovestone Reservoir Circular Walk

Length: 2.5 miles (4 km)
Time: 1-1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy

This is a flat, well-maintained path that loops around the reservoir, offering great views of the water and surrounding hills. It’s suitable for families, wheelchair users, and pushchairs. Along the way, you’ll find picnic spots and benches for breaks.

The path around the reservoir can be very muddy in places after rain so appropriate shoes are recommended.

2. Dovestone & Yeoman Hey Reservoir Circular Walk

Length: 4 miles (7 km)
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate

This walk follows the same circular route as the first walk, but extended to include the Yeoman Hay reservoir.

3. Chew Reservoir via Dovestone

Length: 6 miles (10 km) round trip
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard

This walk starts at the reservoir and climbs up to Chew Reservoir, one of the highest reservoirs in England. The path can be steep and rocky in places but provides amazing views of the moorlands and valleys.

4. The Trinnacle Walk

Length: 6 miles (10 km)
Time: 4 hours
Difficulty: Hard

This is my favourite walk that takes you to the famous Trinnacle, a striking rock formation. The path includes rocky terrain and steep ascents but provides the best views.

There is a difficult section that requires scrambling next to the waterfall so great care and appropriate footwear is required.

Photos from the walks can be found in the Photo Gallery below.

Below is also a map that shows the walks with indicative photos along the routes. You can save this map on ‘Google My Maps‘ so you can have it as a future reference for your walk.

To save the map, make sure you are logged in to your Google account, then click on the star to the right of the title. To locate the map go to your Google Maps app (or Account), click on ‘Saved’ (or ‘Your Places’), and select ‘Maps’