Tintwistle

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Millstone Rocks are on the northern skyline of the Longdendale valley. The walk starts west from Crowden along the line of the reservoirs, through the woods to reach Rhodeswood Reservoir Dam. From here it is a steep climb up the hillside and through the forest to reach the old Quarry. Over the moor to reach the destination of the walk to Millstone Rocks, before a descent back to Crowden.

From the Crowden car park, walk up around the camp site, continuing along the track to reach the Pennine Way. Rather than turning right and climbing up towards Black Hill, the route continues along the track as it goes past the forest and descends to the A628 road. Cross the road and join the footpath opposite. The way now goes through the wood alongside Torside Reservoir to the dam at The Hollins. Continue along the track, maybe visiting the dam for a good look up and down the reservoirs. When a track junction is met take the lower of these tracks. This takes the walker west along Rhodeswood Reservoir to reach the dam. Now climb uphill to reach the road and cross it to get to the track that climbs the hillside. (4.0kms. 20m. 1hrs. 20min.)

The track climbs by the forest and after a couple of steep bends reaches the forest. Cross into the forest and walk along the track slowly climbing through the forest. One notable feature of this part of the route is the masses of Bilberry on the hillside. The forest thins out as the track climbs to a quarry. This is an impressive Old Quarry with the extensive rock faces and spoil heaps. Now the track reduces in size to a path as we cross a wall and continue uphill onto the aim of this walk – Millstone Rocks. The path here is over the moorland and not as obvious as before. The route crosses the moorland easterly to reach a stile. Once over the stile, climb the steep hillside, we have arrived at the top of Millstone rocks. Continue around the top of the rocks, cross Coombes Clough, at Lads Leap by the stream and then over to the large cairn. This cairn give good views of Millstone Rocks as well as impressive views up and down the Longdendale valley with the reservoirs. A good spot to sit and take in the view. (3.0kms. 300m. 1hrs. 30min.)

The route continues along the path to the east slowly descending and traversing the hillside to a wall. From here we can look down on Crowden knowing that it is steeply down from here. At the bottom we meet the Pennine Way. There is a stone memorial at the edge of the forest here as we meet the Pennine Way. The route now follows the Pennine Way south and back to Crowden. (2.5kms. 20m. 0hrs. 50min.)

10th May 2024 This is a lovely wolk for a sunny day. The walk through the woods and along by the reservoirs is a great start, with no real climbing. There are good tracks as you climb through the forest to reach the Quarry and then Millstone Rocks. A sit by the cairn in the warm air is a good way to relax and take a breath after the climbing. The final descent to Crowden is a deceptively steep way to end a fantastic walk.