Dovestone Reservoir

Map ref: SE 014035

The car park and toilet block below the reservoir dam are managed by Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council. Between 8:00am and 8:00pm everyday this is pay and display, free to blue badge holders. There are  reserved parking spaces and the sloping car park (gradients up to 1:6 on the car park, 1:10 on the road) is tarmac.

There is a toilet suitable for disabled people for which a RADAR key is needed. Information boards and a leaflet dispenser are located at the toilets up a 180mm step; leaflets are available which give details of walks in the area, including an easy going trail which might be suitable for wheelchair users.

This is a full circuit of Dovestone Reservoir, about 2.5 miles. Although a mostly level route there are several steepish sections which might require assistance. The path is surfaced in a mixture of finishes, mostly crushed stone but with tarmac on the steeper sections.

Due to the gradients, it is best to tackle the route in an anti-clockwise direction, i.e. setting off from the car park and up the road past the sailing club, returning via the path across the dam.

At the south-eastern corner after crossing Chew Brook there is about 100m of gentle uphill (1:10 to 1:12) with a steeper tarmac section (50m) on the bends at the bottom with gradients more than 1:6.

After crossing Yeoman Hay Reservoir dam there is a 50m tarmac ramp down with gradients typically 1:8 but with the steepest section more than 1:6, followed by a 40m stone surfaced ramp up with a maximum gradient of 1:7.

Approaching Dovestone Reservoir dam there is 15m ramp down with a gradient steeper than 1:6 (handrail provided) for a short distance followed by a 100mm ramped step down at a gate across the new concrete outflow from the reservoir.

A number of picnic tables are provided on level grass at Ashway Gap, about halfway round the circuit of Dovestone Reservoir.