Saddleworth.biz — Local Guides

10 Best Walks in Saddleworth
With a Proper Pub at the End

Moors, reservoirs, canal towpaths — and the best pints in the Pennines waiting for you

Updated April 2026  •  Saddleworth, Greater Manchester

Saddleworth doesn't do things by halves. Perched on the western edge of the Peak District, this loose collection of stone villages sits beneath some of the finest moorland walking in northern England — and it just so happens to have a remarkable density of cracking pubs. Whether you're after a brisk circuit of the reservoirs or a full day on the high moors, there's a walk here for you, and a well-earned pint at the other end.

These ten routes cover everything from easy canal-side strolls to demanding moorland climbs, taking in Dovestone, the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Roman forts, gritstone edges, and a few hidden corners that even locals sometimes overlook. Boots on.

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1

Dovestone Reservoir Circuit

3.5 miles Easy

The gateway walk to Saddleworth, and deservedly the most popular. Starting from the RSPB car park in Greenfield, the path loops around the glassy expanse of Dovestone Reservoir with the Chew Valley rising dramatically ahead of you. On a clear day the views across to Saddleworth Moor are stunning. Chew Brook waterfall makes a perfect halfway stop. Well-maintained paths mean it's accessible year-round and fine for families and dogs, though it gets busy on summer weekends.

Suggested Pub

The Clarence Hotel, Greenfield

A five-minute drive (or a longer walk back through Greenfield) brings you to the Clarence — a reliable local with good food and a proper fire in winter.

2

The Trinnacle Loop from Yeoman Hey

4.2 miles Moderate

One of Saddleworth's signature walks. From Yeoman Hey Reservoir you climb to the Trinnacle — a distinctive gritstone rock formation that juts from the hillside like a natural monument — with sweeping views back down over the Chew Valley and out towards Manchester on a clear day. The path is well-trodden but does involve a proper climb, so decent boots are a must. Budget around two hours plus plenty of stops for photos.

Suggested Pub

The Railway Inn, Greenfield

Straightforward, honest boozer just off the train station. Real ales, no fuss — exactly what you want after a moorland climb. Popular with the Ale Trail crowd for good reason.

3

Pots and Pans from Uppermill

2.4 miles Easy

Short but enormously satisfying. The route climbs from Uppermill up Alderman's Hill to Pots and Pans — a weathered gritstone outcrop on the hilltop — and the war memorial that sits alongside it. The views from the top are disproportionate to the effort involved; on a clear day you can see across Greater Manchester and deep into the Peak District. A compact route that's ideal if time is short or you're looking for something after a late lunch.

Suggested Pub

The Waggon Inn, Uppermill

One of Uppermill's most popular pubs, right on the high street. Solid food, good atmosphere, and Uppermill's full range of independent cafes and shops nearby if you want to linger.

4

Uppermill to Diggle via the Canal

5 miles Easy

A lovely linear walk following the Huddersfield Narrow Canal from Uppermill to Diggle, passing through Dobcross and the narrow confines of the canal valley. You'll pass under old stone bridges, alongside restored narrowboats, and through some of Saddleworth's most picturesque scenery. The towpath is flat and easy underfoot, making this one of the most accessible routes in the area. Finish at Diggle and either catch a bus back or make a night of it.

Suggested Pub

The Diggle Hotel

A proper country pub at the end of the walk — open fires, local real ales, dogs welcome, muddy boots tolerated. A stone's throw from the Pennine Bridleway and the entrance to the famous Standedge Tunnel.

5

Castleshaw Reservoirs and Roman Fort

2 miles Easy

A short, fascinating circuit that packs in a lot. Castleshaw Lower and Upper reservoirs sit in a broad valley above Delph, and the route takes in the earthwork remains of a Roman auxiliary fort — one of a chain of forts along the Roman road across the Pennines. It's peaceful, largely flat, and has a slightly out-of-time quality about it. Ideal for families or as a gentle afternoon leg-stretch with a historical edge.

Suggested Pub

The Old Bell Inn, Delph

Famously home to a Guinness World Record for gin selection — somewhere north of 1,300 gins last count. Even if gin isn't your thing, it's a genuinely great pub with excellent food and a roaring fire.

6

Dobcross Village Loop

3 miles Easy

Dobcross is one of the most handsome villages in Saddleworth, and this short loop makes the most of it — dropping down along the Delph Donkey pathway (a former railway line), looping through the fields above the village, and returning past the village square with its weavers' cottages and church. The village itself featured in the 1979 film Yanks, and it's not hard to see why — the place looks barely changed. A great introductory walk that rewards wandering.

Suggested Pub

The Swan, Dobcross

Grade II listed and part of the community since 1765. Big leather seats, proper fireplaces, hearty pub grub — a classic Saddleworth village pub with a theatre upstairs and an Irish Red Setter vibe about the place.

7

Three Reservoirs Walk from Greenfield

8 miles Challenging

For those who want a proper day out, this longer circuit takes in Dovestone, Yeoman Hey, and Greenfield reservoirs, climbing up over the high moorland between them and descending via Birchen Clough — which includes a section alongside a cascading waterfall. The views from the top are genuinely spectacular, stretching across the valley in multiple directions. Plan for four to five hours and take a map; the path over the upper moor requires a bit of attention, especially in poor visibility.

Suggested Pub

King William IV, Greenfield

A solid community local with real ales and a warm welcome. After eight miles on moorland, you'll appreciate the lack of pretension and the presence of a good cask bitter.

8

Standedge Trail from Diggle

7 miles Moderate

Starting at Diggle, this route follows the Pennine Bridleway up and over Standedge — the highest, longest, and deepest canal tunnel in Britain runs beneath your feet as you cross the moor. The landscape up here is raw and elemental, particularly in autumn when the heather is on the turn. The path descends towards Marsden on the Yorkshire side, though most walkers turn back at the summit to return circular. A classic south Pennines route with genuine atmosphere.

Suggested Pub

The Diggle Hotel

Perfect start-and-finish pub for this one. The hotel even offers a free shuttle to Standedge if you're staying over — a nice touch for walkers doing the full Pennine Way.

9

Grotton, Lydgate and the White Hart Circuit

4 miles Easy

A quieter route through the western villages, looping from Grotton through the countryside above Lydgate with views back towards Oldham and across the valley. The paths are well-marked and largely on good ground, with some pleasant woodland sections and open fields. Not the most dramatic walk in Saddleworth, but a lovely, peaceful alternative when the reservoirs are crowded — and the destination makes it more than worthwhile.

Suggested Pub

The White Hart, Lydgate

Arguably the finest gastropub in the area — multiple awards, exceptional food, a serious wine list, and the kind of view from the terrace that makes you feel like you've earned it. Worth booking a table ahead on weekends.

10

Denshaw and the Rams Head Moor Walk

5 miles Moderate

Denshaw sits at the northern edge of Saddleworth, and this circuit climbs out of the village onto the open moorland above, with wide views across towards Rochdale and the M62 corridor — which sounds less romantic than it is, the contrast of wild upland and distant city is actually rather striking. The route loops back down through some quieter lanes and farmland before returning to the village. Less visited than the Greenfield routes, which means you'll often have the paths to yourself.

Suggested Pub

The Rams Head Inn, Denshaw

A proper moorland pub on the edge of the village — stone-built, low-ceilinged, and exactly what a pub at 1,000 feet above sea level should be. Real fires, real ale, and no mobile signal to distract you.

Ready to Explore?

Saddleworth has walks for every mood and fitness level, and its pubs are as much a part of the landscape as the moors themselves. Check the weather before heading out, take a paper map for anything above the valley, and always allow a bit more time than you think you need — the views have a habit of stopping you in your tracks.

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