24/07/24 - Greater Manchester Ringway - Stage 10

Reservoir Gods and Windy Hills

As the crow flies, I make no more than 2 miles of progress toady. But who wants to be a crow? The GM Ringway turns half an hours walking into a full day out of wilderness.

The day will be remembered for reservoirs - Ogden, Kitcliffe, Piethorne and Norman Hill.

First body of water

First decision of the day is whether to ignore the "Access to fisherman only" sign on the northern bank of the Piethorne Reservoir. It seems well walked by dog walkers and other ramblers and I can see the official web site has a "future diversion" marked that utilises the southern bank.

Either way, you will end up climbing into the wilderness of the wonderfully named Windy Hills. All pleasant today, with me simply wondering where the voices are coming from. Workmen, high in the metalwork of the transmitter. Motorway traffic below, as I look down on England's highest motorway, the M62.

Wheel's of Industry keep on turning

The walk instructions warn vertigo sufferers of the footbridge crossing across the motorway. Use your imagination and you are Indiana Jones crossing one of those dodgy rope bridges, chased by angry natives. Did I mention the lovely mushrooms I found on Windy Hill?

Crossing the valley of the M62

We're on the Pennine Way again and Blackstone egde - a rocky outcrop - provides a fine place for a rest. If only I had found a shop in Newhey to buy sandwiches. I did find a Polski Skelp, but alas, it appears they don't do picnics.

Picnic-less Lunch on Blackstone Edge

I compare walking notes with a gent coming in the opposite direction. I tell him all about the GM Ringway and he makes a note of the what Google Search to use. He tells me he has come from the White House and confirms that this is indeed a pub.

I am cruelly denied this Good Beer Guide Tick, with the route taking me left on the Roman Road. At least it is all downhill to Greater Manchester's largest body of water, Hollingsworth Lake.

There is something very special about coming into civilisation from such a remote landscape. You feel like an explorer. And you know creature comforths - such as Ice Cream vans - are there to help you celebrate.

First stop - as the water again ran out - is the Wine Press. A Gastropub, full of screaming babies would not be my usual port of call but needs must. Seems it had a more interesting past - this from pubsgalore.com;

This pub was called The Fishermans a.k.a. “The Fish” for years. It was always popular with bikers and used to have a rock DJ and live bands. Things have changed dramatically in the last couple of years and it’s now more of a wine bar and eating place, but for some reason it’s still popular with some of the bikers.

The Black Sheep, iced water chaser hit the spot.

Gastropub for Bikers

Farmland and short stretch of canal walking and we are in Littleborough. Loads of independent shops but you try finding a sandwich after 2pm.

The closest Good Beer Guide Tick doesn't open till 3pm, so a quick Birra Moretti at the caskless Falcon. Blue plaque on the wall detailing its history as a coaching house.

Trad pub. No trad beer

This allows the Red Lion time to open and I am third through the door. Two casks on and after a long discussion about the merits of Titanic Plum Porter, its a Coach House Brewing Blonde.

Wilsons - gone since 1987

A short walk back to the railway station, where I am whisked back to Victoria.

Hopefully back for Stage 11 in August!

Walk Information

Start - Newhey

Finish - Littleborough

Previous Stages - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7, Stage 8, Stage 9

Distance - 11 Miles

Geocaches - 9

Walk Inspiration