Ryburn And Baitings Reservoirs Near Ripponden

Introduction

I enjoyed my last walk up two big hills, and left home intending to ascend another one . Great Manshead Hill had been my aim.

However, the rather gloomy conditions, an unexpected path diversion, and my aching bones from a hard afternoon’s tennis the day before caused me to take a much simpler, pleasant stroll round two reservoirs.

I was hoping the cloud might break by late morning, but it never did.

The drive to the walk is around 50 minutes from Cheadle Hulme.

It took me 2 hours 15 minutes to complete the 4.2 mile walk.

The walk is mostly on Yorkshire Water paths and it was very quiet, so good for dog walking, but for some short road and sheep pasture sections towards the end.

I walked in an anticlockwise direction.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL21.

I parked Ryburn Reservoir Car Park, postcode HX6 4LE, What 3 Words ///chess.capillary.closer

Ryeburn Reservoir

At the car park I was met by this diversion sign.

This was going to add quite a lot of distance, and a steep ascent to my original plan to ascend Great Manshead Hill.

Anyway, I cracked on along the northern shore of Ryburn Reservoir, enjoying the view up the creek on the opposite side.

I entered the woods with the water away below my level due to lack of rain. A very pretty wood.

A stream flows down to meet the reservoir, part way along, and an opening in the trees provided views both ways.

The path heads aup the stream valley where the water has quite a rusty appearance.

The path descends to cross the stream, and from the bridge there is quite a spectacular water spout from a pipe, presumably emanating from the higher Baitings Reservoir.

The Diverted Path

At the far end of Ryburn Reservoir, I can’t follow the closed path up a seemingly steady incline. The diversion is straight up the very steep side of the valley. I took it slowly, and was rewarded with a lovely view down into the Ryburn valley.

Moving on, I soon had views of the attractive S-shaped dam of Baitings Reservoir. My original intended route would have missed this.

Only as I got closer did the S-shape appear.

Baitings Reservoir

From the dam, the view down the valley to Ryburn Reservoir is beautiful.

The other way, it’s quite different, with the moors, the road viaduct at the far end, and the A58 to Rochdale just visible behind it.

I took the path on the right hand side (north-western shore) of the lake, and again the woodland was very pleasant.

It was two-thirds of the way round towards the viaduct when I suddenly felt quite weary, so I stopped at a convenient waterside bench.

My original intended route is shown below.

So, it was decision time, and I just didn’t fancy that hill!

At the viaduct I took the photo for my featured header picture showing the pre-reservoir road route, now exposed by the drought conditions of 2025.

The reservoir view from the viaduct showed a colourful display of new plant growth.

The south-east side of the reservoir was less interesting, and after a 50 yard return up a path I had walked down 45 minutes earlier, I rejoined the road called Back o’ th’ Height.

Return To Ryburn Reservoir

Now crossing sheep pasture, to arrive at Height, I found the farmstead long derelict and demolished.

A steady descent brought me to the Water Authority woodland, and a steep path down to the creek I had seen at the start of my walk.

Here is the view to the main reservoir from the bridge over the stream.

At the Ryburn Reservoir dam, there is a nice view down to a mill pond with the town of Ripponden nestled at the bottom of the valley.

I was glad I made the decision to do a shorter walk, and this will be attractive to many who like something a bit challenging, but not as arduous as a big hill!

Despite my weariness, I still enjoyed it!

And Finally….

I’ve been listening to the new Wolf Alice album this week. I found it a bit mixed but really liked this track, White Horses.

Possibly the lowest budget video imaginable – I think they went on one of my walks and just stopped to take pics! Still, nice to get the lyrics, some thought provoking themes in there.