Fernilee Reservoir

Introduction

This is a classic walk in the western Peak District.

The weather was dry and quite sunny as I set off from the same starting point as my walk around Errwood Reservoir on 28th August.

The drive to the walk is 40 minutes from Cheadle Hulme.

It took me 3 hours to complete the 6.2 mile walk, plus 20 minutes for lunch.

The walk isn’t very suitable for dog walking, being mainly on open sheep pasture. However a circuit of Fernilee Reservoir is a great dog walk of around 3 miles.

I walked in an anticlockwise direction.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24.

I parked in the car park at the east end of the Errwood Reservoir dam, postcode SK17 6GJ, What 3 Words ///tasteful.monks.napped

From The Reservoirs To White Hall Outdoor Education Centre

This first section is beautiful in autumn. it begins with a drop down through woodland.

Soon, enough, I arrived at a stream, which was almost dry when I was here in August…. but not now.

Rising away from the stream, I just kept looking back at the stunning autumn colours.

After a steady climb, I left the bracken behind and crossed the A5004. Looking back over the road, Fernilee Reservoir was now visible.

At the top of the hill, the land flattens out and the view to the east opens up.

White Hall To Fernilee Reservoir

It’s downhill for while now. As I approached Hazelhurst Farm, a pair of rams gave me the eye!

As I traversed towards Haylee Farm, I stopped to watch a pair of fieldfares, a sure sign that autumn migration is in full swing.

Beyond them the view looks over the village of Combs to Chapel-en-le-frith beyond.

I turned left at Haylee Farm and headed uphill again, then across to Wythen Lache.

Here, I crossed a minor road and a dry stone wall, before tackling the moor ahead.

After the moor, the route drops down to the A5004, and then takes the water company’s road to Fernilee Reservoir.

Fernilee Reservoir

The reservoir is over a mile long.

Its western bank is swathed in delightful mixed woodland.

At the far end the reservoir is filled by a cascade of water coming in from Errwood Reservoir above.

Errwood Reservoir

The water level in the upper reservoir remains very low, although there is one slipway which just reaches the water for use by the Sailing Club!

This walk covers much familiar territory for me, and is a super walk for this season!

And Finally….

Chrissie Hynde has released an album of duets recorded over several years with several collaborators.

I love this version of Can’t Help Falling In Love, featuring the late Mark Lanegan.