Wildmoor and Errwood

Distance 5km; Ascent: 150m; with Lynsey & Isabel

See route in new window

After the washout of last Saturday and yesterday's rain, it was good to see that the forecast for this morning looked promising so we decided to head out for a morning stroll.  There was an interesting sounding walk in our Peak District ATP walks book near Errwood Reservoir, which we decided to do.  However due to it being graded 5 and the description of the route as muddy in places we opted to take Isabel out in the rucksack carrier rather than the pushchair for a change, especially as it had rained a lot recently.

We set off from the carpark on Goyt's Lane at around 10:30am and headed past a tarn onto the old railway line, under overcast skies, with Isabel in the rucksack.  The track was pretty good with good views across the surrounding moorland.  Soon the sun broke through the clouds and we reached a blocked off tunnel that marked the end of the good track.

Tarn by Goyt's Lane

View SW from from old railway line above Errwood Reservoir

Shortly before the tunnel we turned right at a newish looking signpost, headed through a gap in the wall and followed a pleasant grassy path down towards Wildmoorstone Brook.  After crossing a bridge the path became quite narrow as it traversed the hillside above the stream; we were glad that we had opted for the rucksack carrier as it looked like it would have been quite tricky with the pushchair!

On the way down to Wildmoorstone Brook

Wildmoorstone Brook

The walk down the valley was pleasant and the weather had now improved significantly.  Soon we reached a broader vehicle track at a bridge over the brook.  After a brief consultation with the map, we continued on the true right of the brook and followed it downstream to reach Errwood Reservoir, where there was a collection of bird feeders in just one of the trees by the path; perhaps the birds didn't like the other trees?

Bird feeders by Errwood Reservoir

Errwood Reservoir

After admiring the view across the reservoir, we started to ascend back towards the car along a reasonable track.  The ascent was hard work with Isabel on my back so we stopped for a quick breather about half-way up to admire the views.  The track soon levelled out and we reached the car shortly after midday.

On the way back up to Goyt's Lane from Errwood Reservoir