AAAW 11 Peak Experience Around Dove Stones
Distance (kms) 12.9km
Minimum Time: 3hrs
'Ascent: 1,296ft
Difficulty Level: 3 - Hard
Paths: Mostly on good tracks but with some rocky sections, occasionally very steep, 2 stiles
Landscape: Open and exposed moors, with sheltered valleys
'Dog Friendliness: Condition of access to moors is dogs must be on lead
Parking: Dovestone Reservoir, pay at weekends
Public Toilets: At car park
Description:
Cheshireâs stake in the Peak District National Park is modest, but on this walk you can sample the vast moors so characteristic of the Dark Peak. These are notorious for tough walking over peat and heather, but this is an easy promenade along the edge of the moors; the only hard part is the steep ascent of Birchen Clough. Skirting the Reservoirs. This route starts easily, beside a series of reservoirs, allowing you to look up to the crags on the skyline. Dove Stones, directly above the start, has a natural edge as well as a large, long-abandoned quarry. Above the last of the reservoirs, you follow the Greenfield Brook, climbing gently. The forked tower dubbed the Trinnacle is eye-catching - and youâll get a closer look soon. Donât miss the water-sculpted rocks in the bed of the stream. The Dark Peak Moors. Now you make the transition from valley to moor, by the steep ascent of Birchen Clough. The steepest step is by a small waterfall and, if it looks uninviting, backtrack a short way to pick up a path (still steep) which traverses above the obstacle. The easier upper reaches of the Clough, and the flanking slopes leading out on to the moor, are home to Canada geese. You reach the edge of the moor close to Raven Stones and soon find yourself looking down on the unmistakable Trinnacle. Itâs a great foreground for photographs and looks even better with someone standing on the top, but the ascent can only be recommended to experienced scramblers. You have to sidle along an exposed ledge below the lowest top; then itâs easier climbing to the middle one but thereâs a long stride across a deep gap to the highest - and it seems a lot longer coming back!
Above Dove Stones. The edge is less defined for a time and you cross a vague shoulder past Ashway Cross before clarity is restored. Above Dove Stones the main path keeps back from the edge, but is exposed if you donât mind that sort of thing. Just beyond is the isolated tor of Fox Stone. Here a plaque commemorates two Dark Peak climbers who were killed in the Italian Dolomites. Rough Shelter. In wild weather, the ruins of Bramleyâs Cot, once a shootersâ hut, provide the best shelter if you need somewhere to take on food and drink. The end wall still stands and you can see the carved sockets where the roof timbers were set. Thereâs still a mile (1.6km) of moor-edge to go before you drop into the valley of the Chew Brook that gives easy walking back.
While you're there: A visit to the Saddleworth Museum and Art Gallery, which is located just 2 miles (3.2km) 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. Itâs open daily and includes handson exhibits for children and informative displays.
What to look out for: 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. Itâs 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!
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 youâll have to try the cafÃ©s and pubs of nearby Uppermill.
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 straight on to follow a private, vehicular track as it makes its way steadily up to the very top of the Chew Valley.
When you reach Chew Reservoir turn left and walk along by the dam wall until just before it kinks right. With your back to the reservoir (and near a sign warning of the dangers of deep water) drop down to the moorland and follow the very wide, straight track opposite that heads back towards the edge of the hillside. It first bears left, then swings back to the right, and soon becomes a thin path that weaves its way between the loose rocks around 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. If you occasionally lose sight of the path donât worry, just keep to the wide strip between the steep drop on your left and the banks of peaty bog on your right.
Nearing Great Dove Stone Rocks continue to follow the rocky edge as it swings back to the right. Beyond Dean Rocks is a clear path that winds its way around the head of a narrow valley known as Dove Stone Clough.
Cross over the stream as it flows over a rocky shelf and, as you continue across the slope on the far side, the narrow path slowly begins to drop down the grassy hillside. Fork left and ignore a higher path towards a prominent stone memorial cross ahead. Soon the path curves steeply down to the left and there are numerous criss-crossing tracks through the long grass and bracken. If you are in any doubt then just aim for the unmistakable aqueduct below you, at the foot of Dove Stone Clough, and cross it by using the high footbridge.
Walk along the path below the rock face and the fence on your left and across an area of slumped hillside littered with rock debris. Eventually the path joins a wide, grassy strip that gently leads down between fenced-off plantations of young conifers. Go through the gate and drop down through the open field to reach the popular reservoir-side track. Turn left and then follow this track all the way back to the car park.
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