The best walks and hikes around Piethorne Reservoir

There is a free car park located at Ogden Reservoir, which serves as a popular starting point for many trails in the Piethorne Valley. On-street parking is also available nearby, but it can get busy, especially on weekends. It's advisable to arrive early to secure a spot.

Yes, the Piethorne Valley is a great place to walk with dogs. The open spaces and reservoir paths offer plenty of room for them to explore. However, you will be walking through open moorland which may have grazing livestock, so it's essential to keep your dog under control and on a lead where required.

Definitely. The area offers several gentle routes perfect for a family outing. For a straightforward and scenic walk, consider the Piethorne Reservoir – Stone Hut with Fireplace loop from Haugh. It's a relatively flat and short trail that still provides lovely views of the water and surrounding landscape.

Yes, you can reach the area via public transport. The nearest Metrolink tram stop is in Newhey, which is a walkable distance from the start of many trails. Several bus routes also service the areas around Newhey and Littleborough, providing access to the valley.

Walks in the Piethorne Valley are known for their varied scenery. You'll experience sweeping open moorland, paths alongside the six Victorian reservoirs, and pockets of woodland. A key feature is the impressive stone-step cascades that carry water between the reservoirs, creating picturesque man-made waterfalls, especially after rainfall.

Yes, most of the popular trails in the area are circular. A great option that takes in multiple reservoirs is the Overflow at Ogden Reservoir loop from Newhey. This route provides a comprehensive tour of the valley's waterway network without you having to retrace your steps.

The area is highly regarded by the komoot community, with an average rating of 4.6 stars. Hikers frequently praise the stunning and varied scenery, from the wild open moorlands to the tranquil reservoir paths. The well-maintained tracks combined with the sense of local history are also commonly highlighted as major attractions.

There is a wide variety of routes to choose from. You can find over 400 trails in the area on komoot, ranging from easy, family-friendly reservoir loops to more challenging hikes up into the surrounding moorland hills.

The terrain is quite mixed. You'll find well-maintained, relatively flat paths directly around the reservoirs, which are suitable for most walkers. As you venture into the surrounding hills and moors, the paths can become more rugged, uneven, and include some steep slopes that offer rewarding views.

While there are no pubs or cafes directly on the reservoir paths, the nearby villages of Newhey, Denshaw, and Littleborough have several options. You can find a number of traditional pubs and cafes a short drive from the main car parks, perfect for a post-hike meal or drink.

The valley is rich in history. The reservoirs themselves are feats of Victorian engineering, built in the mid-19th century to supply water to Oldham. As you walk, you can spot historical features like the Lime House, used to treat the water, and the ruins of old farms that predate the reservoirs. The area's history goes back even further, with evidence of ancient packhorse routes and even Bronze Age activity.