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Chew Reservoir

5.9 miles (9.5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Visit this pretty reservoir in the Peak District and enjoy great views over Saddleworth Moor on this walk near Mossley.
You can start your walk from the Dovestone Reservoir car park and follow the Oldham Way over the Chew Hills to reach the reservoir. It's about a 3 mile walk to the reservoir, passing along Dovestone Reservoir and its adjacent woodland before the climb to Chew Reservoir. It's quite a big climb with the reservoir located in an elevated position some 1,600 feet (488 m) above sea level. From the high points there are fine views over the surrounding moorland and hills. The paths are generally good with part of the walk following the surfaced Chew Road and the pretty Chew Brook. When you reach the reservoir you can follow a footpath along the southern side of the water.
To extend your walk you could continue towards Laddow Moss where you can pick up the Pennine Way and follow it to the nearby Torside Reservoir.

Chew Reservoir OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Chew Reservoir Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

After your exercise head west into the village of Greenfield and enjoy refreshments at the King William IV Hotel on Chew Valley Rd, OL3 7DD. There's a great menu and a lovely beer garden to sit out and relax in when the weather is fine.
If you have time head to Mossley and visit the Roaches Lock Inn. The pub's main attraction is a lovely beer garden with fine views of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. It's an ideal spot for a rest on a fine day. You can find it at 387 Manchester Road with postcode OL5 9BB for your sat nav. There's also the option of walking into Mossley from the reservoir by following the waymarked Oldham Way west for about 3 miles.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The circular walk to Alphin Pike passes the reservoir. If you follow the trail north west it will take you up to the hill top where there are some fine views over the area. You will also pass Wimbury Rocks and Indian Head where there are some photogenic rock formations.

Photos

Chew Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 22593

Chew Reservoir

Chew Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1538352

View of the second highest reservoir in England in Autumn.

Chew Brook - geograph.org.uk - 48489

Chew Brook just east of the reservoir. Looking down from Chew Hurdles

Dish Stone Rocks from Blindstones Moss - geograph.org.uk - 3179828

Dish Stone Rocks from Blindstones Moss

Chew Brook valley from the Wilderness - geograph.org.uk - 1558257

Chew Brook valley from the Wilderness

Chew Valley, Greenfield - geograph.org.uk - 2428985

Chew Valley, Greenfield

Approaching Chew Brook Footbridge - geograph.org.uk - 3164688

Approaching Chew Brook Footbridge

Start of path up Rams Clough - geograph.org.uk - 1558209

Start of path up Rams Clough

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Chew Reservoir.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Chew Reservoir.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)