Download GPX File | Google Maps File | OS Online route
About The Roaches | About Tittersworth Reservoir
Parking Location | OS Map | Current Weather
This walk was done on a sunny but cold winter’s day. We were trying out some new gear for the first time, so we wanted a shorter walk to test things out. We had previously deliberated as to whether it would be nice to walk between The Roaches and Tittesworth reservoir, so we thought now would be the perfect time to find out. The conditions higher up were putting us off going over The Roaches and we had the water of the reservoir beckoning us from our vantage point at the roadside, where we parked our car.
We parked on Roach Road, there is a lot of space along the side of the road and a local farmer normally opens his field for a small parking fee. Although, it can get busy on nice weekend days. We suggest getting here early and to never park in places where not designated to do so. Just recently, emergency services were unable to get through due to inconsiderate parkers. Besides, the parkies WILL ticket you. We see so many yellow tickets on people’s windscreens every time we come!
The Roaches and Ramshaw Rocks area is our stomping ground. For us, it’s the closest part of the Peak District and by far, the easiest to get to. We walk here every few weeks, but if you haven’t been before, we would recommend walking the length of The Roaches before descending onto the reservoir. On the other hand, if you want a countryside walk with no steep inclines, lots of fields and wildlife, this walk is the one for you.
Even though we were expecting mud, being the middle of a wet December, we found the first leg of this journey a lot muddier than we would have liked. However, after the initial mud bath, the going got better and we were pleasantly surprised at how little bog there was thereon after.
We started off walking around the back of Hen Cloud, the rocky outcrop on the end (start?) of The Roaches. From here, the path cut down to the river. This is where there was mud and a lot of it. We can imagine there still being mud swamps here in the summer, so be careful and wear appropriate boots. We nearly backtracked to walk up and down Hen Cloud itself to escape the swathes of sludge, but we were so glad we persevered! The stretch after was glorious. A beautiful stream, canopied with a plethora of tree species, leading to a few old, abandoned buildings - one holding an old water wheel. The dirt path turned into a stony path which slowly evolved into a county road, it was a very tranquil and quiet area to walk.
Not too much longer and we were out onto the Roach road again but a lot further down. Here, we turned right. After a quick wrong direction (taking a left two early) we turned left, the right one this time! Then made our way down Whitty Lane. At the end of Whitty Lane, we took a left turn onto Blackshaw lane for about 200 yards and then crossed over, before the bridge, to take a right turn onto a footpath. This path was slightly busier but was lined with a hedgerow absolutely full of Robins. The close proximity to the River Churnet had us spotting creatures we just weren’t expecting this late in the year. This path led us onto the round route of Tittesworth reservoir itself.
Exiting the reservoir via the main entrance, we took a left onto Blackshaw lane then took the right where the Lazy Trout pub is. We carried on up this road then turned right up towards and past some houses. The footpath does run through a few fields where a nearby house is keeping horses. However, the way is clearly marked, and it wasn’t long before we were traversing field after field. We eventually found ourselves on a long, stony track leading to a house but the footpath does cutaway into the overgrowth before you get to the residence. From here, we travelled through some reedy fields with convenient boardwalks before starting to slowly incline towards the Roaches. Considering it was winter, we saw a lot of wildlife here including a heron in flight. We are planning another walk going through the same territory for a summer walk also. We are expecting it to be teeming with birds and creatures.
Walking up a farmer’s track and through a quiet farmyard, we stopped to admire a beautiful well with a natural fountain before having a quick steep stomp back onto the Roach Road and back to the car.
