A very narrow road to Chew Reservoir in Greater Manchester

A very narrow road to Chew Reservoir in Greater Manchester

England, europe

Length

4.34 km

Elevation

488 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure awaits in Greater Manchester! Let's talk about Chew Reservoir. Perched way up high at 1,600 feet, this beauty was England's highest reservoir for ages.

You'll find it nestled at the top of Chew Valley. The road? Mostly paved, but keep an eye out for a bit of gravel thrown in for good measure. It's known as Chew Road, but here's the thing: private cars aren't allowed all the way up. Park up near Dovestone Reservoir and enjoy the final leg on foot.

Trust me, the views of Saddleworth Moor are worth it! This climb, starting from the A635 near Greenfield, clocks in at just under 3 miles, but don't let the short distance fool you. You'll gain over 900 feet, making for a pretty solid 6% average gradient. Get ready for those legs to feel it!

Where is it?

A very narrow road to Chew Reservoir in Greater Manchester is located in England (europe). Coordinates: 54.1879, -2.2781

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Road Details

Country
England
Continent
europe
Length
4.34 km
Max Elevation
488 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
54.1879, -2.2781

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