Cock Hill Circular from Old Glossop

The Cock Hill circular from Old Glossop is a brilliant medium length walk at 6 miles. At 426m above sea level this walk offers some great views over the Dark Peaks, Torside and Swineshaw Reservoirs. In terms of difficulty the walk is fairly straight forward, but whenever walking in the Peak District it is always worth remembering the terrain can turn very boggy at times – so ensure you have the correct footwear.

Useful information to know for Cock Hill circular

• 6 mile circular walk
• No public toilets at the start or during the walk
• Small free car park outside of the Wheatsheaf Pub in Old Glossop and some free on road parking also in the area. This is a small village so please be respectful of residents when parking.
• You may have to follow open access land at points in this walk if the local farmer has shut off the footpath for any reason, so be sure to have a map.

Cock Hill Circular route description

Stage 1 – Old Glossop to Cock Hill

Parking in the car park opposite the Wheatsheaf Pub we headed up Hope Street, keeping the Distant Hills Brewery on your left. A little further up the road splits, take the path to the left where the road sign is to a wooden gate.

Climbing up gradually along the footpaths (with it being an old quarry the slabs can be slippery following bad weather so be careful). Head through a gate and continue up towards Cock Hill, you can cross back and forth here as the fields can sometimes be easier to than the rocky path.

At the next gate (when we did this walk the gate was badly damaged and propped up) head through the gate and up towards Cock Hill Trig Point. On a good day the views from here at fantastic looking out over Bleaklow and Dogs Rock as well as views towards Manchester.

Stage 2 – Cock Hill Trig to Swineshaw Reservoir

Continuing on from the trig point we ventured further to an old quarry ruin – where we had a quick drink and a snack. Turning back from the quarry the path leads down to the right. Follow the track down a short distance and it brings you to a gate. At the time we visited the farmer had closed the track off so we continued on the open access land.

Keeping the wall to our left we headed down through the fields – we did veer slightly off course along the route down towards the farm house – so always good to check the OS Map.

Stage 3 – Swineshaw Reservoir

Walking along Swineshaw Reservoir and down the path there is a farm house where you are likely to run into some peacocks roaming about (including albino peacocks). They also have reas (these look like emus) in the field who quite often come up to the wall.

The path continues down for a short distance back to the road and the car park opposite The Wheatsheaf Pub.

Where to eat and drink

The Wheatsheaf pub at the time of our visit had recently re-opened under new management following a lengthy closure. A great place to visit for a drink and something to eat which welcomes muddy boots and muddy paws.

There are several other places in Old Glossop that are all worth a visit. Distant Hills Brewing (which you passed at the start of the walk) is a well worth visiting, The Bulls Head which is next to The Wheatsheaf or you have The Queens Arms opposite Manor Park.