Longdendale RFM Blue Line Walking with Mary
Longdendale
RFM Blue Line
Walking with Mary
20/10/25
I picked Mary up at about 8.30 and we drove to Tintwhistle over the busy A628. On the way up the hill it was raining heavily but as we dropped down off the hill into Tintwhistle the rain stopped and a dry, cool not cold, dull almost gloomy day was starting. This was contrary to the norm raining in Yorkshire and dry in Manchester although to be strictly correct this area is in fact in Derbyshire.
I'm not sure if we were in Hatfield or Tintwhistle Bridge but whichever we went down this quiet street and were immediately into the countryside.
Through a short almost park land area we emerged at the base of Bottoms reservoir dam and made our way over to Tintwhistle. I did tell Mary this section of the walk was just to join 2 blue lines on a map, not sure she was overly impressed but you never know whats around the corner on any walk.
The views down the valley with Tintwhistle Church just sneaking into view were lovely. We were already passing friendly dog walkers as this route was a dog walkers paradise. The gloomy steps up the side of the hill were a bit intimidating.
We emerged onto these fantastic cobbles which were gorgeous but steep and just slightly slippy.
We reached the war memorial and went along the street with the chapel the meeting point for a walk Peter and I did a few weeks ago. Again we exchanged greetings with a couple of friendly passers by.
Then we went back down the hill past the chapel cemetery which will be referred to later in this account, down another steep and slightly slippy hill with some great views of Bottoms Res. into the Longdendale reservoir area.
After the detour to join the blus lines we set off on the walk proper. This side of the res the walk was close to the water behind a substantial wall.
We reached the dam for Valehouse reservoir and were treated some wonderful views and a huge overflow system. I'd love to see this overflow running at full pelt.
We were on an old railway line and the walking was easy and the views just beautiful. Valehouse and Rhodeswood reservoirs were lovely and so close to the A628 though we could hardly hear it.
On this side of the res the dog walkers had dried up in fact we were pretty much alone. Pretty soon we crossed the dam onto the other side of the valley and set off down the Trans Peninne Trail
This is not a picturesque valley because there are too many roads, pylons, man made lakes and old quarries and spoil heaps on the hill tops but it is still wonderful and interesting.
There were loads of dog walkers on this side of the valley, some with less than perfect control of their dogs. Fungi featured in the scrub woodlands next to the trail. We wondered if they were edible but reaffirmed that neither of us would ever pick up a fungi in the field for obvious reasons. The view was good but still gloomy. The hill on the right is one I still need to climb.
The A628 looked quite busy on the other side of the valley.
I love the view of the holly tree on the left but I must admit I strategically positioned myself so you can't see the huge pylon behind the holly tree. We sat on bench and had a drink. While we sat a Kestrel flew over, then a Jay flew across our view, then 2 Mistle Thrushes perched on a bush next to us. Bird watching without the effort.
This bridge typical of railway paths was good to see.
Bottoms reservoir obviously named because it is the lowest of the 4 reservoirs in the valley still seems a quaint and faintly amusing name.
Leaving the TPT we were to head under the old railway and down to the side of the reservoir. The field was full of Herdwick sheep, lovely sheep but a little out of place.
The path next to the res was another dog walking super highway and the fungi in the field looked ughhh.
We met a lady walking 2 huge friendly dogs, not sure what breed but they looked like thickset boxer dogs. We exchanged pleasantries and then walked together. The dogs were lovely and very friendly, one was called Alice and the other Beatrice. It was a pleasant stroll together and I enjoyed the conversation. The lady told us that Vivien Westwood's grave is in the cemetery we passed. I asked Mary if she wanted to go and have a look but she wisely declined as it would mean crossing the dam and climbing the hill again.
We left the lady on the bottom path and climbed the style over the wall to head up these steps. We waited at the bottom of them for a young woman carrying a child in a harness on her chest. They were very uneven steps but she knew them well. She explained to Mary she wouldn't dare go over the wall with the baby so had to walk along a bit to a gap in the wall. People here are so friendly.
We were back at the car and it was time to end the walk. This had been a very pleasant walk not too difficult and with some lovely views. I would strongly recommend it to anyone. As ever I always like to walk with Mary and catch up on our news.
OS Map link
https://explore.osmaps.com/route/29259047/longdendale-rfm-blue-line?lat=53.47661&lon=-1.95604&zoom=13.3157&style=Leisure&type=2d
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