Walk Leader: Stephen Martin

Number on walk: 3

Distance: 24 miles

Weather: Rain clearing as the day went on.

Day 4
Broadbottom to Newhey 24 miles. (3490ft Ascent)

After leaving a car at the Cedar Tree pub at Haugh Fold, Newhey we drove 45mins to Broadbottom where, at 8.45am three of us set off on a wet, damp, muggy morning in full waterproofs. After a steep initial climb we were in the mist and wet grass, heading into the Peak District. Although the views were limited, the sites were interesting to which the photos allude to. Crossing the Boar Flats we took a well-trodden path overlooking Arnfield Moor and onto the boggy ‘Wilderness’ where navigation at times could be difficult without a satnav.
After reaching Chew reservoir, we headed down a tarmacked road to a disused quarry for a  spot of lunch.
After lunch we headed into Greenfield and followed the Huddersfield narrow canal and with the rain stopping, waterproofs were packed away. After a short refreshment stop at The Lime Kiln café, we headed into Dobcross (a lovely little village) along some good lanes, then headed up onto the Pennine Way passing the ‘Dinner Stone’. Leaving the Pennine Way and following the Oldham Way we crossed Castleshaw Moor circumnavigating Casteshaw reservoirs and Denshaw. Some of the paths between Rippondale Road and Rochdale Road where poor and slowed us down. However, we soon picked up speed along good paths and
roads up past the transmitters on Crow Knowl before descending through Crompton Fold, across fields and into Newhey, finishing at 18.15pm.

Overall a great days walking, even though it was wet to start with and with a few tricky spots along the Oldham Way. Some great stopping off places for refreshments, an early start on a dry day a must.

Broadbottom to Newhey 24 miles. (3490ft Ascent)
Start - Free parking The Etherow Centre,118 Mottram Rd, Broadbottom, SK14 6AX. W3W
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End - Free on road parking nearr The Cedar Tree pub, Haugh Fold, Newhey. W3W
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Highlights include:
– Two lovely old lanes, with panoramic views across the Etherow and Longdendale valleys
– A ancient-seeming track that climbs into the Peak District National Park via an old stone
bridge
– A brief trackless section through the appropriately named ‘Wilderness’ – the highest point
of the entire GM Ringway trail
– Breathtaking views over Saddleworth’s Chew Valley
– Chew Piece Plantation, the only remaining area of older mixed woodland close to
Dovestone Reservoir.
– A bucolic section of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal
– The picture-postcard hilltop village of Dobcross
– Aerial views of the Roman fort site at Castleshaw
– A panoramic walk along the Standedge escarpment (part of the Pennine Way)
– Crompton Moor and Crompton Fold, with their woodlands and waterfall.