{"id":1008225,"date":"2023-12-14T20:00:03","date_gmt":"2023-12-14T20:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1008225"},"modified":"2023-12-14T20:00:07","modified_gmt":"2023-12-14T20:00:07","slug":"combs-reservoir-to-chapel-en-le-frith-railway-station","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1008225","title":{"rendered":"Combs Reservoir To Chapel-en-le-Frith Railway Station"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

There was a moody, damp feel to the day as I set out this morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a 35 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to Combs Reservoir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is 6.1 miles with over 1000 feet of ascent, in two separate climbs, with the pretty village of Combs interjecting between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took 3 hours, and I was back at the car for lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a good walk for dogs, being mainly on fenced tracks, paths, and very quiet single track roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I walked in an anticlockwise direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL24 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I parked at the free reservoir car park, postcode SK23 9UN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Combs Reservoir To Long Lane<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Combs Reservoir is owned and managed by the Canal and River Trust . It is a feeder reservoir for The Peak Forest Canal, and it’s full!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Meveril Brook once ran down the valley. Now, much of it runs into the reservoir, and a channel has been created to maintain a consistent water flow, and this part of the brook now bypasses the reservoir. My return route comes along the path between the 2 bodies of water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For now, I crossed the railway bridge and made my way up the road, and then straight up onto a path, which was also a stream! here’s the view back towards the reservoir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The stone walls here provide a treat for moss lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It’s a beautiful walk up here, and the view soon becomes worth the effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Long Lane is in fact just a stone track, and one where I just kept stopping to take in the view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Firstly, to the northwest where the sun was shining in the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Then northeast to the reservoir.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Long Lane To Combs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Having traversed Ladder Hill, I was now walking downhill quite rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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When the track becomes a road, I turned left and made my way into the centre of Combs, and past The Beehive, not yet opening time, unfortunately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I took the right then stayed left to make my way through the village, and come to a small roadside stream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rather than follow the road and stream I took the path left up a hill, signposted to Chapel-en-le-Frith Station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here the sheep were nuzzling in for brunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Up To Castle Naze<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rather than head to the station, I took a path through a gate on the right, towards a farm, where there were plenty of birds being kept. Will they make it beyond Christmas?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The farm drive led back to the road which is a steep climb, evidenced by the arrow on the map!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the top, I found myself at the cloudbase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Highland Cattle are in their element here! Gorgeous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There is a path onto the moors here, leading to the ancient fort. That’s not on my route, but I will return here, perhaps in the summer, to walk round the moorland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who may be lost, a random post stands here too, overlooking the town whose name it carries!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Down To The Railway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From here, the road begins to descend through the mist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the next turn, I took a left, past Ridge Hall, and in no time at all, I came to the station. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I crossed the tracks and went immediately left onto a path which is a good standard, being the path which anyone from Combs would use to walk the mile or so to the station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The line serves trains between Manchester and Buxton, where it now terminates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It still operates with old style signalling, and short diesel trains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There was unexpected wildlife here too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Combs Reservoir<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I turned under the bridge when I reached the road, crossing a wet field and down towards Meveril Brook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I detoured to look at the arrangement that funnelled some water into the bypass stream and the remainder into the reservoir, then after a bit of toing and froing, I located my pathway, between the bypass and the reservoir. It was muddy here, but a very pretty path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There were lovely views over the water to the sailing club, and familiar fairways of Chapel-en-le-Frith Golf Club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I was pleased to find that the last half mile was on a recently constructed shale path. Perhaps they will extend this to the end of the Trust’s land. So, soon I arrived back at the dam, and bridge where I started out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This is a fantastic walk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In summer, I’d recommend parking in Combs (or take the train and start from the station), booking a table at The Beehive, and completing the whole walk, or either half of it, before a hearty meal and a couple of pints!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Years Go Fast is a new album by The Cadillac Three. This track is Pistols On The Levee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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