Introducing Walk 12 Manchester’s Countryside The Harridge Round Walk Higher Swineshaw Reservoir 9 Views over to Buckton Castle hill, with its ancient ring fort on top, the working quarry next to it and Carrbrook Heritage Village open out below. In the distance, Hartshead Pike and other local landmarks also appear. 10 Spectacular views across Manchester and Cheshire open out as the track rounds the hillside and rejoins the Pennine Bridleway and rough track. Turn right to Duck Island follow it back down towards Carrbrook and the car park. For further visitor information on Tameside For more information on Countryside telephone: 0161 330 9613 Manchester's Countryside, including downloads of the walks, visit This walk forms part of a series of walks and www.manchesterscountryside.com trails developed by Manchester's Countryside. Telephone: 01942 825677; email: [email protected] Carrbrook – Walkerwood – Brushes – Swineshaw – Carrbrook 3 As you gain height along 5 The path circles the contours of the The Harridge 1 the Bridleway good views open hillside, with excellent views over Round Walk out over much of Stalybridge, Walkerwood Reservoir and the lower Distance: Mossley, Ashton and Greater Brushes Valley, before dropping down to Manchester. It’s worthwhile on join the tarmac reservoir service road. 5 miles/8km. 2 a clear day to explore the views Starting point: 6 Go left through the gate up the and try to identify distant Castle Clough Car Park, at the top of reservoir service road. As you continue up landmarks such as Beetham Buckton Vale Road, Carrbrook, Stalybridge. the road, mature oak wood, fields and Tower, Manchester and Grid ref. SD 988010. birch wood provide a wealth of habitats Walkerwood Reservoir Jodrell Bank. How to get there: for bird and insect life. As height is By car – From Stalybridge take the 4 The track levels out passing some gained and the views open out, there are Huddersfield Road (B6175), follow this interesting old stone houses and farms the remains of an old concrete 10 through Millbrook until you reach a mini dating from around the 18th century when searchlight post. Planes stacking up to roundabout at "The Carrbrook" pub. Take a weaving and subsistence farming was done use Manchester Airport are clearly right turn here into Buckton Vale Road and 3 here as a way of life. Where the road turns seen from here because of the follow this into Carrbrook Village, carrying steeply downhill to the right, take the height (nearly 1000ft). Looking back, 9 straight on over another mini roundabout. bridleway ahead following the there are also good views down the Castle Clough car park will then be on your Walk 12 Pennine Bridleway sign. valley. left hand side at the end of the row of N 7 When you reach the top terrace houses, opposite the bowling green. 8 Higher By bus – Regular buses from Manchester, Swineshaw reservoir, Higher Higher Reservoir Ashton under Lyne, Stalybridge and Hyde. Hydegreen Swineshaw, turn left and continue through a stile, Greater Manchester 4 Harridge following the track up onto Public Transport Information Pike open moorland. Gaining height, 0161 228 7811 www.gmpte.com look back to enjoy the Walk summary: spectacular views over Derbyshire and A strenuous walk around Harridge Pike, 7 the Pennine moorland. following the side of the Tame Valley and 5 then up the Brushes Valley before crossing 8 There are a number of old shooting open moorland on a good track to descend posts or butts to be seen here and back into Carrbrook village. A walk for a Grouse are regularly seen, with their low fine day with superb views throughout. 6 whirring flight and cries sounding like ‘go back, go back’ when they are disturbed. The Walk Stalybridge The peak of Harridge Pike can be seen to 1 Start at the car park at Country Park Brushes Reservoir the left and for those with the time, can Carrbrook which has 2 useful be reached through rough grass to the interpretation signs explaining the heritage Lower stone cairn or stone circle on the Swineshaw of the village. Walk up Long Row, opposite Reservoir summit at 395 metres (1295ft). the car park. At the top of the terrace of Harridge is a shortening of Hare Ridge houses turn right passing Duck Island. Walkerwood Reservoir and mountain hares, which turn 2 Cross the road and follow it left behind white in winter have been seen in the new houses. After 100 metres turn right 1/4 1/2 3/4 1 this area. at the rough road up the hill, following the Pennine Bridleway sign. mile .