{"id":1010084,"date":"2025-10-12T16:45:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T15:45:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1010084"},"modified":"2025-10-12T16:45:53","modified_gmt":"2025-10-12T15:45:53","slug":"ryburn-and-baitings-reservoirs-near-ripponden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.half-daywalker.com\/?p=1010084","title":{"rendered":"Ryburn And Baitings Reservoirs Near Ripponden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

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

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was hoping the cloud might break by late morning, but it never did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The drive to the walk is around 50 minutes from Cheadle Hulme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It took me 2 hours 15 minutes to complete the 4.2 mile walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Ryeburn Reservoir<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the car park I was met by this diversion sign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This was going to add quite a lot of distance, and a steep ascent to my original plan to ascend Great Manshead Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyway, I cracked on along the northern shore of Ryburn Reservoir, enjoying the view up the creek on the opposite side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I entered the woods with the water away below my level due to lack of rain. A very pretty wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A stream flows down to meet the reservoir, part way along, and an opening in the trees provided views both ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The path heads aup the stream valley where the water has quite a rusty appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Diverted Path<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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Only as I got closer did the S-shape appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Baitings Reservoir<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From the dam, the view down the valley to Ryburn Reservoir is beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My original intended route is shown below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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So, it was decision time, and I just didn’t fancy that hill!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reservoir view from the viaduct showed a colourful display of new plant growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Return To Ryburn Reservoir<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now crossing sheep pasture, to arrive at Height, I found the farmstead long derelict and demolished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here is the view to the main reservoir from the bridge over the stream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite my weariness, I still enjoyed it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And Finally….<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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