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Ogden Reservoir and Piethorne Reservoir Walk

3.11 miles (5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Explore this area of the Piethorne Valley on this circular walk in the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale, Greater Manchester. There's a nice walking trail taking you around Ogden Reservoir, Kitcliffe Reservoir and Piethorne Reservoir. You'll climb above the reservoirs and enjoy wonderful views over the surrounding countryside. There's also waterfalls, woodland and lots of wildlife to look out for on the way.
The Rochdale Way and the Pennine Bridleway both pass the reservoirs so you can pick up these trails to further explore the Piethorne Valley. If you head north you will pass Tunshill Hill, Dick Hill, the Longden End Brook and Rakewood before coming to the lovely Hollingworth Lake. The large lake has a nice waterside footpath and a nature reserve with lots of birdlife to look out for.
About 2.5 miles to the south east you will find Castleshaw Reservoirs. There's nice trails here around the upper and lower reservoirs, with parking available at the Castleshaw Centre.
Ogden and Piethorne Reservoirs are located near Newhey and Oldham.

Postcode

OL16 3TQ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Ogden Reservoir and Piethorne Reservoir OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Ogden Reservoir and Piethorne Reservoir Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

The Bulls Head pub is conveniently located a stones throw from Ogden Reservoir. It's a friendly pub with a good menu and a walkers and cyclists special. You can pre-order your meal before your walk or cycle so they can have it ready for when you want it or on your return. You can find the pub just to the south of the reservoir at a postcode of OL16 3TD.

Dog Walking

The reservoirs are a great place to take your dog and the Bulls Head mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The Piethorne Valley is a great area for bird spotting with curlews, meadow pipits, wheatears, skylarks, and great crested grebes on the water. You may also see birds of prey such as buzzards and peregrines in the area.
Just to the south you can pick up the Crompton Circuit and enjoy a circular walk around Shaw and Crompton Moor.
To the north there's the Station to Station Walk which will take you up to Turf Hill where there's some fine views over the valley.

Photos

Ogden Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 681000

Ogden Reservoir. The control tower seen from the dam with woods in the background. Take in February 2008

Water Tower Ogden Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 435260

Water Tower Ogden Reservoir. With United Utilities Water Plant behind and the white Duke Of Wellington pub behind.

Piethorne Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 371991

Piethorne Reservoir. Looking northeast through the waterworks gate at the southern end of the reservoir dam wall. Windy hill transmitter mast can be seen on the skyline. An Ordnance Survey benchmark has been carved into the bottom of the stone gatepost.

Piethorne Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 1657850

Piethorne Reservoir. Looking north along the dam wall with sunlit hills in the background. The reservoir was built between 1858 and 1868. At the eastern end there is a waterfall which is actually the spillway from Norman Hill Reservoir flowing into Piethorne Reservoir.

Kitcliffe Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 2509889

Kitcliffe Reservoir. This reservoir lies between Ogden and Piethorne.

Bluebells at Old House Ground - geograph.org.uk - 427824

Bluebells at Old House Ground. Looking south from the footpath that runs along the north side of the wood on the north bank of Piethorne Reservoir.

Ogden Reservoir and Higher Ogden - geograph.org.uk - 1917782

Ogden Reservoir and the houses of Higher Ogden in the background.

The car park at Ogden Reservoir - geograph.org.uk - 3730421

A view of the car park at the western end of Ogden Reservoir.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

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

Memory Map Route

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