Torside Reservoirs Walk | 13 Miles

May 1, 2024 CIRCULAR WALKS, LONG PEAK DISTRICT WALKS 10 MILES +, PEAK DISTRICT WALKS

This Torside Reservoirs walk explores the Longdendale Valley and the Longdendale Chain of reservoirs, extending from Woodhead Reservoir to Bottoms Reservoir. At 13 miles this walk is relatively low level, with only a small climb near the Woodhead Tunnels.

The Longdendale Chain is a series of 6 reservoirs on the River Etherow in the Longdendale Valley built between 1848 and 1884 to supply Manchester and Salford with fresh water. The reservoirs are Woodhead, Torside, Rhodeswood, Valehouse, Bottoms and Arnfield – there was originally a seventh, Hollingworth, but this was abandoned in 1990, and has become part of the Swallows Wood nature reserve. This walk only passes 5 of the 6 reservoirs and uses the Trans Pennine Trail (TPT) for part.

This Torside Reservoirs walk is 13 miles, and I used it as part of my half marathon training as it’s relatively low level and doesn’t involve any hikes up big hills! It’s a really pretty area as well with spectacular views down the valley and up onto Bleaklow, and involves a mix of woodland paths, wild rugged moorland and easy trails. The history of the area is fascinating, with the mills in the valley bottom being demolished to make way for the reservoirs, and the former Woodhead railway line.

Starting from Torside car park, where there are some public loos, I headed up through the memorial wood to join the Longdendale Trail, which follows the route of the now disused Woodhead railway line connecting Manchester to Sheffield. The trail runs for around 3.5 miles from the car park until it reaches the former Woodhead Tunnels. The first two tunnels were built between 1845 and 1853, with the third being constructed in 1953. The line closed in the 1980s and the tunnels have since been repurposed for electrical apparatus. The remnants of the old Woodhead Station can still be seen though, including the old railway platform.

At the tunnels the route turns right into a rough car park and then out onto the main A628 road. Crossing over, there is a gate and switchbacks heading up Ironbower Moss to join Long Side, a path running around Pikenaze Moor and forming part of the Northern Horse Route.

The path runs through the farm and down the farm drive, out onto the road and then immediately through a gate leading to a path running around Woodhead Reservoir. This is the top of the Longdendale Chain of reservoirs. The path runs across the bridge and out onto the Woodhead Pass.

Crossing the road, the route continues along the Northern Horse Route, passing St James’ Chapel. Some of the railway navvies who died during the construction of the Woodhead Tunnels are buried here.

The path runs adjacent to the main road before passing through a small wooded area and then out onto the road which leads down into Crowden car park near to the Crowden camp site. There are some public toilets near Crowden car park.

I headed out onto the main road for a short distance, then crossed over to pick up the footpath running through the nature reserve next to Torside Reservoir, the largest reservoir in the group. The path follows the edge of the reservoir before turning right and heading up into Tinsel School Wood.

Coming back out of the woods next to the dam for Torside Reservoir, the path turns right and comes to a fork. I took the left hand fork and continued along Rhodeswood Reservoir.

The path then continues down the valley adjacent to Valehouse Reservoir, and here I crossed the embankment and followed the track past Valehouse Farm, up through the woods and then rejoined the Longdendale Trail.

The trail follows the TPT, crossing the road and then heading back to the car park.