Walk Description

It was a glorious evening, far too good to stay inside, so we decided to visit the reservoirs above Newhey.  These include yet another Ogden Reservoir.  This one is the lowest and most western of a chain of 4 reservoirs.  In 1807 Oldham Corporation compulsorily purchased the land in order to build the reservoirs. Before the reservoirs we built the valley was home to a community of farmers and textile workers.  The hamlets of Lane Bottom, Lower Ogden and HIgher Ogden are still here but the moorland farms have fallen into disuse and only the ruins remain.  There was even a small textile mill here which can still be seen near Ogden Reservoir.

We parked at the car park near the old mill and followed the Rochdale Way east past Kitcliffe and Piethorne Reservoirs.  There was some renovation work taking place near Piethorne Reservoir and an area around a small hole in the ground had been fenced off.  On the fence was a sign warning childen not to play there.  It certainly didn't look interesting or inviting to me.

We then crossed Cold Greave and made our way across the grass towards the small reservoir at the bottom of Cold Greave Clough.  Here Steve fished a goose egg out of the water.  We then followed the drainage leat towards a small stone building.  This used to be a water treatment works.  Crushed lime was added to the water to make it less acidic, this stopped the water attacking the lead pipes that used to be used to supply domestic water.  We then went to investigate the run off channel from Norman Hill Reservoir.  Despite the No Admittance signs Steve just had to a get a closer look.

We continued along the Rochdale Way, passing between Turf Hill and Binns Pasture.  As we reached the col, the views to the north west were revealed and we just had to stop to take some photos of the sunset over the M62 Rakewood viaduct.  As the sun sank lower, the sky was turning a deeper and deeper red.  We didn't want to leave but we knew that we had to get back to the car before we lost the last of the light.  We walked under the powerlines and contiued to follow Tunshill Lane.

Just before we reached the turn off to Tunshill Farm we turned south east and took  the small path down the steep Rag Hole Clough and then walked along the edge of the woods above Ogden reservoirs.  When we reached the works, we continued to follow the stream towards Newhey.  Eventually when we were almost at Peppermint Bridge and realised that we faced a long road walk back next to the busy A640, we decided to retrace our steps back to the works and head straight for Ogden. From there it was just a short stroll back to the car.
 

Route & Planning

Details and Route Map

Photo Opportunities

Walk Profile

The route map shown here should not be used as a replacement for the appropriate map(s). Before attempting the walk you should check the suitability of this route in relation to your capabilities and experience.