Countryside Health Walks in Oldham and Tameside

Stalybridge Country Park: Lower Brushes Valley

Length: Shorter Walk: 1.75km (1 mile)

Longer Walk: 2.5km (1½ miles)

If walking in the countryside is new to you, to get the best out of this walk why not go with your partner or a friend?

Walk Summary

Two circular walks in the country park. The shorter walk is on surfaced paths throughout. The longer walk also uses a section of waterworks road and an unmade lane. The first 400 metres are gently uphill, with seats to enable you to rest. Apart from one or two very minor slopes up, the remainder of the going is level or easily downhill. 

Landscape

A mixture of open grassland and scattered trees, woodland, and (on the longer walk) the open water of Walkerwood Reservoir. There are good views of the Brushes Valley and surrounding hills. 

How to get to the start

Car park off the B6175 Huddersfield Road at Millbrook (2km north of Stalybridge). The car park is signposted from the main road. The car park access road adjoins the 'Royal Oak' public house. 

Toilets

None on route.

Refreshments

The 'Royal Oak' public house at the start/end of the walk.

Map

Directions

If arriving by car use the country park's signposted car park and go through the nearby stile. If arriving by bus, from the main Huddersfield Road go up the narrow road below the 'Royal Oak' passing a small car park and through the stile by a gate.

You can make a very short there and back walk by going as far as the seat near the top of the first rise (about 700 metres in all).

1. Go up the wide path seen ahead and follow this for about 400 metres, rising gradually, with the back gardens of houses on the right.
2. As the path begins to level out, and there is more open ground on the right between the path and garden fences, turn left off the main path on a path heading into the trees.
3. Reach a crossing path in a few metres and turn left, through the woodland (Walker Wood). Where the path forks in about 200 metres, take the left branch, with views over the valley, soon returning to the main track where you bear left.
   
   For the shorter walk continue with point 4
   
   For the longer walk continue with point 9
   
   
4. In only 30 metres turn left off the main path, just as the main path takes a well defined bend to the right. Descend the flight of steps alongside a metal fence, and go along the boardwalk at the bottom, through the trees.
5. Cross over the concrete pipe, and up a short slope for 30 metres, curving left on a stone path which quickly levels out. Follow the path through scattered trees alongside a small stream that is the feeder for the reservoir known as The Dam.
6. As you reach the reservoir go over a small bridge across the stream and continue left on the path with the reservoir below you to the left.
7. Beyond the end of the reservoir keep forward to a gate, and into a small car part to the rear of houses. Go across the car park and through a gap in the low fence.
8. Follow the stone path, bearing left as another path comes in from the right. Descend some steps (picnic tables on the left) to the bottom of the shallow valley, and up the short slope (30 metres) back to the car park and buses.
   
   The Longer Walk
   
   
9. Follow the main path rightwards, then left as another path angles in from the right. The main path continues forward towards the reservoir road, but 20 metres short of the gate go left on a narrower path through the trees to its far end at a stile near a metal fence.
10. Turn left on the road and follow it left across the dam of Walkerwood Reservoir (good views into the wilds of the valley). At the far end of the dam leave the road and bear left on an unmade walled lane. There are often some very large puddles on the first part of this lane, but with room enough for you to get around.
11. In 500 metres this land reaches a road (Besom Lane). Turn left for 150 metres. Just before the houses begin on the left go through the kissing gate on the left, and follow a stone path gently downhill.
12. You reach a crossing path immediately above a small reservoir. Turn right. Now continue with the walk directions from point 7 above.

If you have any comments about this walk please contact:

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Strategic Director of Education and Cultural Services Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 330 9613
0161 343 1834