Calf Hey Reservoir

A Short and easy walk.

The walk around Calf Hey Reservoir is a very short circular route just off Grane Road, Haslingden, BB4 4AU. The paths are wide, well maintained and so easily accessible. There is a small car park at the reservoir but it is small for such a popular walk. There is a larger car park just up the road at Clough Head where there is toilets and a cafe but parking here to get to Calf Hey means you have to cross the busy Grane Road and this road can be dangerous due to the high speeds of the traffic. There are average speed cameras in place so it's not as bad as it once was but with speeds of 50mph it can be daunting to cross with children or those less abled.

We managed to park at Calf Hey Car park which should have been pay and display but the machine was covered up.

At the top of car park you catch a small glimpse of the reservoir which is a small part of the West Pennine Moors which incorporates 90 square miles of uplands, valleys, farmland and reservoirs.

Calf Hey was the first of three reservoirs built in the Valley, the others being Ogden and Holden Wood. It was constructed in 1854.

You walk through the gate and walk straight down towards the water. To your left you also see the larger Ogden Reservoir through the trees. You then come to a folk in the path, you can take either path as it is a circular route and so will end up at this spot either way you go. There is a nice little section with picnic tables (thought one was damaged). We went to the left, down a slight hill, through the gate to the water. As you walk down you get a better view of Ogden which was constructed in 1903. There is also good views of the surrounding moorland which can be accessed over the dam though it was far too muddy and raining to attempt that today (maybe in the summer.....). As you make your way around the reservoir there is plenty of benches to enjoy the views.

Picnic tables overlooking the water

The view of Ogden Reservoir

The surrounding Moorland

A bench with a view.

At this point on the circuit there is a slight incline but nothing too taxing as we move slightly away from the water but there is fields with horses and sheep grazing. We also came across some ruins that are the results of the reservoirs construction. The area was once farmland and housed people who use to work on the nearby mill, which also had to close due to the reservoirs construction which obviously had a major impact on the locals. There are boards explaining what the ruins use to be.

And with any photo walk don't forget to occasionally look back and you sometimes miss a great view. On this occasion, with it been misty rain, you could see the mist clouds covering the top of the hills and trees.

This short and easy walk took around 40 minutes, can be done in less time if you don't stop to admire the views and take photos. There is no way you could get lost on this walk just follow the path round and it will lead you back to the carpark in no time. This walk is popular has there were many people on the route some with dogs. With this is mind there was lots of Dog mess on the paths that obviously wasn't picked up by their owners. But all in all a good little walk to blow away the cobwebs even in the rain.

We have done other walks that are in the West Pennine Moors like Entwistle, Darwen Tower and Bold venture Park. I shall hopefully be trying a new one this weekend, watch this space!

As always thank you for reading.

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