Countryside Health Walks in Oldham and Tameside

Waterhead: A Circuit of The Lower Strinesdale Reservoir

Length: From Car Park: 1 km (¾ mile)

From Bus Stops: 2 km (1½ miles)

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

Walk Summary

A circuit of the Lower Strinesdale Reservoir. There is a short ascent from the car park on a tarmac path, with ample seats, and a near level stone surfaced path around the reservoir. Plenty of seats and picnic tables throughout.

Landscape

This North West Water reservoir was completely reshaped in the late 1990s, and now provides an extremely attractive area of water with surrounding small copses of trees, set amongst hills.

How to get to the start

The start is the car park adjoining the Strinesdale Countryside Centre, 500 metres off the A62 at Waterhead. Strinesdale is signposted off the A62 Huddersfield Road. Go along the road (Culvert Street) near the large Orb Mill, bear right in 200 metres and continue to the car park near the Countryside Centre.

The approach from the bus stop is along roads and adds to the distance. Ideally this is a walk where use of a car to get to the start is a help.

By bus: Buses from Manchester, Oldham, Uppermill and Ashton-under-Lyne stop at Waterhead. Go up the road (Culvert Street) to the right of the parade of shops set back from the main road, bear right in 200 metres, beside Orb Mill, and forward to the Strinesdale Car Park.

Toilets

Beside the Countryside Centre. Normally open each day from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Refreshments

Public houses in Waterhead.

Map

Directions

1. Leave the car park at the corner where the spillway from the reservoir comes down. Ascend the zig zags of the tarmac path. This is the only climb, and is about 100 metres long.
2. At the top, where the tarmac ends, take the right fork in the path to reach the water's edge.
3. Go left on the path and follow this to the far end of the reservoir near picnic tables.
4. Here go through the gap in the fence and right across the little bridge where a stream enters the reservoir.
5. Continue to follow the path on the far side of the reservoir. In 400 metres, near picnic tables, cross the overspill channel, back to the path used on the outward part of the walk. Turn left and back downhill to the car park and Waterhead.

If you have any comments about this walk please contact the Strinesdale Centre:

Oldham Countryside Service, Strinesdale Centre, Holgate Street, Waterhead, Oldham, OL4 2JJ
0161 620 8202.