Hadfield and Longdendale Reservoirs | 5 June 2022

Walk leader : Geraint W
Walk details : Sunday’s walk – a modified (extended) version of a walk we have done a few times – starts and ends at Hadfield, immortalised as

in the BBC TV series The League of Gentlemen

This is a fairly easy / moderate and largely level walk of some 11km (7 miles) which follows the Longdendale Trail from Hadfield along the Longdendale valley as far as Torside Reservoir and returns to Hadfield by way of tracks and paths alongside three of the six Longdendale reservoirs – Bottoms, Valehouse and Rhodeswood. The Longdendale Trail follows the line of the disused Woodhead Line which used to run from Manchester to Sheffield and we will walk the first 4km as far as Torside dam. Here we join the Pennine Way briefly as we cross the Torside dam and head west back to Hadfield. There is an option for anyone who would like to do a shorter walk to cross the valley at the Rhodeswood dam and rejoin the walk at the other side. This option knocks a couple of miles off the walk. The terrain is a mix of paths and tracks with some walking across fields, some of the paths are quite rough in places and we can expect it to be wet underfoot. Part of the walk will be on roads but these are United Utilities access roads so there should be little or no traffic. While the walk is largely level there are a couple of fairly steep but short inclines in the second half of the walk. We will be passing through a field with livestock so dogs must be kept on a short lead at this point.
There are no shops/cafes/toilets on the walk so please bring lunch and drink with you, we will stop at a suitable spot for our lunch break. At the end of the walk anyone who fancies a beer will be pleased to know that The Palatine pub serves this and a variety of other drinks too!

Risk assessment : A risk assessment was carried out on 30 May 2022. A summary of identified risks is below:-

Reservoirs – danger of falling into deep water – keep away from water and stay with the group.
Rough paths – some of the paths are quite rough with loose stone/rock in places. Tree roots in the paths also present a trip hazard.
As always, please wear suitable footwear and come equipped for the weather conditions on the day. <

Start time and meeting point : Meet at 12:00 at the Palatine Pub directly opposite the railway station approach and at the junction of Station Rd, Railway St and Platt St. Postcode SK13 1AA.

Directions to the start : From Manchester – A57 as far as Denton, join the M67 and at its end follow the A57, turning right after 2km at the Gun Inn onto Woolley Lane / A57. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Woolley Bridge Rd then turn right at the Pear Tree pub onto Hadfield Rd. Follow this road past the Anchor pub and turn 2nd left onto Railway Street. There should be ample on street parking nearby.