Dovestone Reservoir from Greenfield, Oldham

Key Information: 

Start: Greenfield Station, OL3 7JZ

Distance: 5.6 miles / 9.0 km

Height gain: 570 feet / 174 metres

Grade: Moderately challenging

Approximate time: 3 hours (excluding breaks)

Accessibility: The varied terrain and gradients encountered on this walk means that the overall route is not suitable for wheelchair-users and those with mobility challenges. For an easier stroll – though still featuring some steps and cobbled surfaces – you can follow the towpath of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal from Greenfield to Uppermill and back. Alternatively, a fully step-free walk on hard-surfaced (but in places fairly steep) can be followed around Dovestone Reservoir. Disabled parking and toilets are available at the visitor centre (postcode OL3 7NE). This YouTube Video of the Wheelchair Walk shows the attractions and challenges of that route.

Terrain: Mainly gentle gradients but a fairly steep ascent from the 0.7-mile/1-km point up a tarmac-surfaced road, where you should watch for vehicles. There is also a fairly steep descent on rougher paths down to the reservoir. Otherwise, most paths are level and on good surfaces. Mud and puddles after wet weather and some steps, gates and stiles.

Facilities: At the start and end of the route, you’ll find a toilet at Greenfield station (during ticket office opening hours), with The Railway Greenfield and the Platform 13 cafe just across the road. A little later, The Kingfisher, a large pub serving food lies just off route. All of these are also passed on the return route. At the 3-mile/5-km point, there are toilets at the Dovestone Reservoir Visitor Centre and an ice-cream van often parked close by. As you re-enter Greenfield, you’ll pass The Clarence Country Pub, with an extensive food and drink menu. 

Public transport: Trains to Greenfield approx. every 30 minutes on Mondays to Saturdays and hourly on Sunday from either Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Victoria – check the National Rail Journey Planner for the departure station and times. Alternatively, you can take the 84 bus (journey time 90 minutes) from the city centre via Oldham. When travelling by bus, simply tap on with your bank card when boarding and visit the TfGM Journey Planner to plan your journey.

Parking: At Greenfield Station (OL3 7JZ), the small car park is for rail users only and there is limited on-street parking in the village. The closest car park with plenty of space is at Saddleworth Pool and Leisure Centre (postcode OL3 6HG). From here, simply head down into Uppermill village and turn left along the canal for the half-mile (800-metre) walk towards Greenfield. After passing the marina and under Chew Mill Road, turn sharp right up steps, go right along the pavement and turn right onto the riverside path (step 3 below).

1. From the station, turn right (passing the Railway Inn and Platform 13 cafe opposite) and, at the junction, carefully cross Shaw Hall Bank Road.

2. Turn left downhill and follow the road as it curves right to become Chew Mill Road and cross the canal.

3. After crossing the River Tame, turn right onto the pretty riverside path.

4. In 500 m, turn right across the footbridge and bear right uphill through woodland. Pass a gate and turn left along a tarmac track.

5. Cross Manchester Road and go left and then right up Friezland Lane, watching for traffic.

6. In 500 m, ignore turnings right as the road curves left to become Intake Lane. Continue, with views across the verdant Chew Valley, until you reach cottages.

7. As the lane becomes a path, reach a fork and stay on the right-hand, higher path, crossing rougher ground and soon passing through conifer woodland.

8. Cross a stile and proceed along the path ahead to soon enjoy dramatic views of Dovestone Reservoir nestled among the hills.

9. Go through a wooden gate and, after an open section, pass a metal gate and continue through the colourful mixed woodland of Chew Piece Plantation.

10. Cross a stile and follow the path downhill for a short way. After it rises, turn sharp left and make your way down the descending path towards Chew Brook.

11. Just before a massive boulder, bear left heading for the edge of the forest.

12. At a fork, take the right-hand route towards the brook and follow the narrow streamside path downhill.

13. On reaching Chew Road, turn left along it to pass through the memorial woodland.

14. After passing the boats of the sailing club, pass a metal gate, and continue with the reservoir immediately to your right, ignoring a private road ascending left.

15. Just after a brick building, you can divert right onto the dam for even more reservoir views. Otherwise, continue along the tarmac-surfaced Chew Road.

16. Just after passing the large car park, right, where you’ll often find an ice cream van, turn left before the toilet block.

17. Now follow Bradburys Lane away from the reservoir, soon passing a row of grey brick cottages.

18. Just after the final house, turn right onto a public footpath that descends between fences. Follow this path as it curves right between a fence and stone wall.

19. On entering woodland, turn left between mossy stone walls to follow the path with Chew Brook to its right.

20. On emerging from the wooded path, bear right along a tarmac-surfaced access road to reach a T-junction, where you turn right between white metal fences to cross Chew Brook.

21. Arriving at Holmfirth Road, turn left along its pavement, at the roundabout keeping left along busy Manchester Road with The Clarence Pub to your right.

22. Crossing carefully to the right-hand side, continue along the road for almost 400 metres, ignoring the first public footpath to the right.

23. About 50 metres later, take the next public footpath right and follow this, crossing a residential road along the way.

24. Entering woodland, you soon have Chew Brook to your right.

25. On reaching Oakview Road, turn right across the brook and then go left onto Greenbridge Lane.

26. In 150 metres, turn left passing the tennis and squash club to your right. Keep ahead past a gate and turn right, before the footbridge, along the riverside path followed earlier.

27. Emerge onto Chew Valley Road – with The Kingfisher Pub ahead – and turn left, crossing the canal, to retrace your steps to the station.

You can extend your trip – or return another day – to sample the delights of nearby Uppermill village. To do this, turn left off Chew Valley Road down steps and then turn sharp right, under the road, to follow the towpath for 700 metres to Uppermill High Street. Here turn right past the fascinating Saddleworth Museum and Gallery to reach the village centre with its many cafes, pubs and restaurants.