Dam Long Walk

Summary

The Dam Long Walk is a strenuous walk intended to be completed in one go, though it can be broken down into stages if necessary. The walk explores the Dark Peak area of the Peak District National Park and South Pennines. Circular in nature, the route visits 32 dams and reservoirs surrounding Black Hill. From the start at Crowden Youth Hostel, the walk visits the River Etherow series of reservoirs — Torside, Rhodeswood, Valehouse, and Bottoms — before climbing from the valley past Arnfield Reservoir and the upper reaches of Hollingworth to cross Wild Bank Hill on Hollingworthall Moor. The next series of reservoirs is then reached: Walkerwood, Brushes, and Lower and Higher Swineshaw. Next, Ormes Moor is crossed to reach Chew Reservoir, before traversing the Chew Hills to the reservoirs of Dovestones, Yeoman Hey, and Greenfield. Upland walking across Saddleworth Moor and Featherbed Moss follows, leading to Black Moss and Swellands reservoirs, which are soon followed by Redbrook, Butterley, Blakeley, Wessenden, and Wessenden Head. The Kirklees Way is then followed to a succession of five reservoirs: Digley, Brownhill, Ramsden, Yateholme, and Riding Wood. Passing Cook’s Study Hill to reach Snailsden Reservoir and soon afterward the Winscar Reservoirs, the route takes in the Windleden Reservoirs before heading back home via Woodhead Reservoir to Crowden. That is a lot of moor and water behind you!