Rakes Moss & Featherbed Moss

8.09 Miles - Time: 3.32hrs - Elevation 531.8m - Rating: Moderate – Good Navigation required

Starting from Crowden Car Park (free/toilets) we followed the Pennine way (PW) up Crowden Clough, we were treated to sunshine and a lot of inquisitive lambs. Sky larks also accompanied us through the valley. The waterfall of Oaken Clough was as impressive as ever and gave us an excuse for a breather and a brew!

Continuing we headed up to Laddow rocks then headed north west to Laddow Moss. From this point there is no path so it’s time to test your navigation skills across the moorland towards the trig at Featherbed Moss.

Today we were treated to sunshine and a snow covered summit, giving us a clear target of where we were heading. The panorama from the trig is a joy (on a clear day) with views over Chew and Dove Stones reservoirs, Holme Moss, Torside and Kinder to name a few.

From the trig we continued until reaching the head of Hollins Clough, again there is no path, but we kept the clough on our left descending for about a mile. Moss and heather make for uneven footing and the odd peat bog managed to catch us out, pulling on our boots with a vice like grip. The reward is worth it though as the views from Millstone Rocks over towards Torside and over the reservoir are breath-taking. We stopped her for lunch sitting at the top of the waterfall absorbing the views.

Millside Rocks with views towards Torside

From Millstone rocks we headed down over Robinson’s moss to the disused quarry above Didsbury intake, here we heard an echoing cry of “Backpacks and Bruises”!!! Martin Melody has been following our adventures and recognised us from our YouTube channel. It was lovely to chat and get advice on the route. Always a pleasure to meet our followers. Sue was itching to get into the huge forest below us, which turned out to be private land with no public access! Hammock break abandoned, a bit of grumbling but respecting the notices we went on our way, crossing the A628 over to Rhodeswood reservoir, we continued with the reservoir on our right up to Torside reservoir where we left the path and crossed back over the A628 to Quiet Shepherd Farm following the track up towards Highstones and re-joining the Pennine way back to the car park.

Torside & Rhodeswood Reservoirs from the Quarry viewpoint

This was a really varied hike with so many different aspects to enjoy. The sunshine and snow was the icing on top. This is well worth adding to your list of walks and you can find the full route on our OS Maps link here – Backpacks and Bruises Rakes Moss/ Featherbed Moss Trig. Watch the full adventure on our YouTube channel

Love seeing your comments below, let us know if this is on your to do list, or there are any other walks in this area we need to try.

Onward!