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Saddleworth Moor

Saddleworth Moor lies in North of the Peak District National Park.

The Dark Peak is commonly know for its more rugged, darker and wilder environments, its referred to the Dark Peak for its largely uninhabited moorland plateau where almost any depression is filled with sphagnum bogs and black peat, and Saddleworth in my opinion is a prime example along with Kinder Scout.

I’ve never visited the area before, its a good 3 hour round trip from Stoke on Trent so with a week of work I treated myself and took the drive up and I wasn’t disappointed with the views, stunning!

Admiring the views over Saddleworth Moor and Greenfield Reservoir.
Admiring the views over Saddleworth Moor and Greenfield Reservoir.

I parked at Dove Stone Reservoir and decided to head up to Ashway Rocks, its a short and sharp 30 minute ascent up on top but once your up on Ashways Rocks your on the flat and can easily contour the Eastern & Southern sides of the reservoir relatively easily.

After having a quick breather and admiring the stunning scenery for 20 minutes as the sun came in and out of the clouds I decided to head up on around to Raven Stones Brow and find the awesome Trinnacle, as I walked around I couldn’t help but admire the afternoon sun lighting up the gritstone and the side of Raven Stones Brow and the valley below.

Looking East along the ridge line of Raven Stones Brow on Saddleworth Moor
Looking East along the ridge line of Raven Stones Brow on Saddleworth Moor

Now I have seen this following stunning composition many a time by my photography friends that live a little closer to Saddleworth Moor than me and I couldn’t wait to see it with my own eyes, its one of those recognizable features that you  learn the name of as soon as you see it.

The problem is you can walk right up to it be 10 meters away on the path and still not know its there. Its not until your right on top of the Trinnacle that you see it and turn to admire that stunning view over looking the moor, the valley, Greenfeild Brook and Greenfeild Reservoir.

The Trinnacle at Saddleworth Moor,providing a great feature in an otherwise baron sparse landscape, over looking Greenfeild Reservoir.
The Trinnacle at Saddleworth Moor,providing a great feature in an otherwise baron sparse landscape, over looking Greenfeild Reservoir.

I decided not to stay very long at The Trinnacle, I had fun trying to climb on top for an “admiring the view” shot but I could tell sunset wasn’t going to be ideal.

There was no clouds and it was starting to get hazy so I headed back up onto Ashway Moss where it is a bog of black peat and green mosses, as I noticed a small crop of limestone rocks on my ascent earlier. As I walked across the peat bog, boots were now getting water logged, good job there gortex!

I noticed a cross dominating the skyline so I wandered over to to have a look.

Overlooking Dove Stone Reservoir, Ashway Cross is a memorial to James Platt former MP for Oldham, who was killed in a grouse shooting accident in 1857.
Overlooking Dove Stone Reservoir, Ashway Cross is a memorial to James Platt former MP for Oldham, who was killed in a grouse shooting accident in 1857.

The sun was starting to go down fast now, a rule of thumb is for each finger between the sun and the horizon is 15 minutes until it sets, so when I took the above image I knew I only had 15 minutes.

I was going to head back over to Ashway Rocks but it would have been a 5 minute walk and the sun started to fall behind the haze and it was gone, so after a wonderful afternoon exploring some where new I decided to call it a day and head down of the hills.

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I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon on Saddleworth and I can not wait to go back and explore some more as I walked back down the track I stopped to admire the view and couldn’t help notice the bright green mosses and the path was lit up for me.

Admiring Dove Stone Reservoir on my way home, I just sat and watched the sun fade, a stunning remote location.
Admiring Dove Stone Reservoir on my way home, I just sat and watched the sun fade, a stunning remote location.

Maybe next time I go ill venture around to Dean Rocks on the South Eastern edge of Dove Stone.

Thanks for reading all of these images in this article are for sale for digital marketing or print format via my Peak District Gallery.

Admiring Dove Stone Reservoir on my way home, I just sat and watched the sun fade, a stunning remote location.Quick View
£12.00£60.00

Admiring Dove Stone Reservoir on my way home, I just sat and watched the sun fade, a stunning remote location.

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Overlooking Dove Stone Reservoir, Ashway Cross is a memorial to James Platt former MP for Oldham, who was killed in a grouse shooting accident in 1857.Quick View
£12.00£60.00

Overlooking Dove Stone Reservoir, Ashway Cross is a memorial to James Platt former MP for Oldham, who was killed in a grouse shooting accident in 1857.

...
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The Trinnacle at Saddleworth Moor,providing a great feature in an otherwise baron sparse landscape, over looking Greenfeild Reservoir.Quick View
£12.00£60.00

The Trinnacle at Saddleworth Moor,providing a great feature in an otherwise baron sparse landscape, over looking Greenfeild Reservoir.

...
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