{"id":1008013,"date":"2023-11-02T15:19:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-02T15:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1008013"},"modified":"2023-11-02T15:43:57","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T15:43:57","slug":"strine-dale-oldham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1008013","title":{"rendered":"Strine Dale, Oldham"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Storm Ciaran is with us, but I decided it was still worth getting out for a short walk to enjoy some autumnal colour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, the weather was dark and moody with low cloud, but very little rain and only a very light breeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is 4.5 miles and not too strenuous. It took 2.5 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The country park is great for dog walking. The rest of the walk was on tracks, very minor roads and fields, some of which held horses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a 35 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to Strinesdale Country Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I walked in an anti-clockwise direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Maps 277 and OL1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked at the country park, postcode OL4 2JW (on Holgate Street, follow the signs to the RSPCA Centre).<\/p>\n\n\n

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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Lower Strinesdale Reservoir To High Moor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the car park the reservoir outfall is full to bursting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The reservoir is quite small and pretty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The path meanders through the trees, which are a mix of colours and bare branches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the far end of the reservoir, the outfall from the higher lake is also brimming with water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From here, I headed uphill to the east, leaving the country park and taking in the open country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the farm, was a cat that didn’t really look like a dangerous guard to be honest!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I passed The Roebuck Inn and up Whitegates Lane. It’s strangely rough, moorside country. There are no sheep or cattle, but plenty of horses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This one was friendly enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The High Moor Quarries have been filled in. The landfill is clearly producing a lot of gas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alongside the quarry fence, it’s clear that this isn’t a well used path. And it’s very wet in here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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High Moor To The Medlock Valley Way<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I found my way through the wet undergrowth, towards a stream. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the low cloud, the views were still marvellous up here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It looked like a cyclo-cross track on the hillside opposite me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I could just make out the village of Dobcrossl at the bottom of the valley to the east.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The mist lifted a little, and revealed more horses and a view over Delph to Castleshaw reservoirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the junction of Badger Edge Lane and Hill Top Lane, I thought I saw a glimpse of sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It didn’t last, but the views from Hill Top Lane to the colourful woods in the valley were beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Leaving the road, I was soon at the obelisk and trig point at the top of the hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The land here is donated for the benefit of the people of Oldham.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The football pitches here haven’t seen use in some time, and the marsh plants are reclaiming them for nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Back To The Reservoirs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Medlock Valley Way heads through the woods. It’s very wet underfoot here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It was very underused as shown by the boardwalks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Soon, I was heading downhill and out of the mist with the city centre of Manchester highlighted in sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The brook heads through a culvert under the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The path then wends its way alongside the brook in a delightful clough, Strine Dale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Before long, I was back at the attractive reservoirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is a lovely small country park. I’d like to come back in spring or summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyway, considering the awful weather forecast, this turned out to be a smashing couple of hours walk in an area I’d never previously considered visiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Lightbringer is a new album by Californian rockers Rival Sons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A nice mix of songs; this one is “Redemption”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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