A Complete Guide to the Dovestone Reservoir Walks
Luckily, there are varied Dovestone Reservoir walks, and this means that there is a walk for everyone, from strollers to beginners, to experienced hikers. It also means that you will never tire of this great area of the Peak District, as there is so much on offer with spectacular views.
Dovestone Reservoir was constructed in 1967, and with Greenfield, Yeoman Hey and Chew Reservoir, it supplies drinking water to the people of Oldham and Tameside.
The Dovestone Reservoir walks’ popularity is mainly due to its proximity to Manchester city centre (40-minutes) and how it is on Tameside and Oldham’s outskirts. The people of Manchester and Greater Manchester have spoken, and they love this area.
The name of the area can be confusing. Is it Dovestone, Dovestones or Dove Stone? The RSPB renamed it Dove Stone Reservoir in 2010, but for the sake of this article, we will refer to the more popular spellings of Dovestones and Dovestone.
Directions to Dovestone Reservoir
The Dovestone Reservoir is on the northwestern edge of the Peak District National Park. It is east of Greenfield Village off Holmfirth Road (A635).
Dovestone Reservoir Parking
It is worth mentioning that parking at the Dovestone Reservoir can be difficult if it is a sunny day, school holidays or a weekend. It is not uncommon to find CAR PARK FULL signs and marshals blocking the road, so your best bet is to arrive as early as possible if you do not want to be disappointed.
Dovestone Reservoir Car Park
The Dovestone Reservoir Postcode is OL3 7NE.
The cost to park at Dovestone Reservoir is £1 for up to two hours, £2 between two and four hours and £4 for more than four hours (all day). You can use your contactless card to pay for this.
Binn Green Car Park
Binn Green Car Park is a free car park that is further along Holmfirth Road than the Dovestone Reservoir Car Park. The postcode for the Binn Green Car Park is OL3 7NN.
Laybys and Side Roads
There is the option to park in the laybys or side roads if the car parks are full. You will mostly find these near the Dovestone Reservoir Car Park on your way up the road from Greenfield.
Facilities at Dovestone Reservoir
- Male and female toilet facilities and hand washing.
- Maps and information point (next to the toilet).
- 300 car parking spaces
- Fairclough’s Ice Cream Van, which serves coffee, hot chocolate and ice cream.
Top Tips for the Dovestone Reservoir Walks
- If you are venturing on any other route than the circular Dovestone Reservoir walk, you will need hiking shoes.
- Take food, water, and snacks with you.
- Besides the circular route, the tracks can be steep, so that a moderate fitness level will be required.
- Take some layers and a waterproof; you never know when the heavens will open, and it can be cold on the top of the moorland.
- Take a camera – it is beautiful.
- Visit late August to early September to make the most out of the heather season.
- You will need an OS Map if you are completing the more challenging walks. You can download a free version on your phone for a 30-day trial.
The Top 3 Dovestone Reservoir Walks
Dovestone Reservoir Circuit
2.5 miles (4km)
The Dovestone Reservoir Circuit is one of our favourite easy walks. If you are short on time or want a beginner, child or accessible route, this is the perfect walk for you. The scenery is stunning, and if you’re lucky, there may be sailing boats on the reservoir and the hills blanketed in snow – there’s nothing quite like it!
The surface is level and well made, and it is an easy circular route to follow. There will likely be many people completing this walk, so it is unlikely you will get lost.
A great thing about this walk is that it is wheelchair and pram friendly, which means that it makes the outdoors accessible for all.
If you do have a wheelchair and pram, it is recommended to complete the walk anti-clockwise due to a steep section near Yeoman Hey Reservoir.
You will also find that many people only wear trainers on this route and not hiking shoes or boots due to the terrain. But please note there are still bumps and holes with puddles, so yes, your white trainers may still get ruined!
The Trinnacle Dovestones Circular Walk
How can I find the Trinnacle at Dovestone Reservoir? Arguably, the best way to find the Trinnacle is to do the walk on a circular route. The direction you take will depend upon whether you want to scramble up a waterfall or scramble down a waterfall. We chose the latter and will describe the walk that way, but it is easy to follow the instructions backwards.
You can begin from either car park or the laybys. Then you should make your way to the bridge separating the Dovestone and Yeoman Reservoir. Go over the bridge, past the bench and then head directly left up the steep bank towards the rocks.
When you arrive at the rocks, you should turn left and head along the ridge. This path can be very muddy, so take your time and continue around. If you use an offline map (even Google Maps), you can see the trail towards the Trinnacle.
Eventually, you will come to the grand Trinnacle, the eye-catching rock formation popular with photographers and hikers.
If you decide to climb, be careful, as it is dangerous – there is a steep drop down the side of a cliff. Regardless, you can take a picture of it from every angle because it is a spectacular sight.
You now have the option to return the way you came if you do not want to take on the Birchen Clough and waterfall descent (this will be a more accessible and shorter route).
Alternatively, to complete the Trinnacle circular walk, you can advance along the trail until you reach the waterfall. Cross the Birchen Clough and waterfall and then take your time, heading down, stopping to take beautiful pictures.
When you arrive at the bottom, you will need to cross the waterfall again, turn left (you cannot turn right) and head towards Greenfield Reservoir, which you will be able to see in the distance.
From here, you will come to Yeoman Reservoir, where you can take the path down or stay up (they join), and you will get back to the starting point!
For a full guide please read: How to find the Trinnacle
Pots and Pans
The Pinnacles are not the only Dove stone rocks that deserve to be mentioned, as the Pots and Pans walk proudly has its own.
There are at least three possible routes up to Pots and Pans, and these three are our favourites:
Route 1: From Dovestone Car Park and back (return hike) 4 miles (6km).
Route 2: From Dovestone Car Park, down into Uppermill, along the canal and back to Dovestone Car Park (circular) roughly 10 miles (16km).
Route 3: From Uppermill and back (return hike) 2.5 miles (4km).
We have a post dedicated to this walk, with step by step instructions to help you decide which one is for you. Please read our guide to the Pots and Pans Walk here.
On all of these routes, you will be rewarded with superb views, and on a clear day, you will be able to see as far as Manchester and its skyline.
You will also see the Pots and Pans War Memorial, which was constructed in 1923 to honour the 259 people that died in WW1 from the surrounding villages.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Dovestone Reservoir Walks
Are there other Dovestone Reservoir walks?
Suppose you have already completed these three walks and are after something different. You can always try one of the following:
- Chew Reservoir and return 4.5 miles (7km)
- Plantation Walk 3.5 miles (5.5km)
- Dovestones Indian Head Walk.
What attractions can I visit nearby?
There are many incredible places you can visit close to the Dovestone Reservoir walks. The best include:
- Saddleworth Museum and Art Gallery. One of the best free museums in Manchester.
- Huddersfield Narrow Canal
- Castleshaw Roman Fort
Can I take my dog to the Dovestone Reservoir Walks?
Yes, but you should keep them close to you at all times and clean up after them. From the 1st March to 31st July, you must keep your dog on a lead.
Can you swim in Dovestone Reservoir?
No, you cannot swim in the Dovestone reservoir. There are hidden dangers in the water, including pipes that can cause undercurrents.
What other Peak District walks can I do?
There are so many excellent and varied Peak District walks. Some of our favourites include:
We only recommend things that we have personally tried and love using on our travels and hikes.
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Photo Credit: averagelives.com
We want to stress that ‘Average Lives’ cannot be held liable for any injuries or accidents that may occur while walking our routes. We strongly advise that you wear proper footwear to reduce the risk of injuries, and carry a paper map and compass to ensure your safety while walking. You can read more on our About Page.
great read and such an amazing walk, thanks 🙂
Hi Adam, thank you for your comment! We are really happy to hear that you liked the walk! This area is really beautiful!