9k Run Hadfield: Scenic Loop Around Valehouse & Rhodeswood

Route Overview & Local Insights

Starting from the Longdendale Trail car park, this 9.2km loop offers a beautifully balanced running experience around Valehouse and Rhodeswood Reservoirs. The course is predominantly flat with a gentle 73m ascent, making it an excellent choice for a sustained tempo run or a scenic recovery jog. You will find a mix of well-maintained tarmac and smooth gravel paths that transition into atmospheric wooded sections along the northern banks. The clockwise direction provides expansive water views and a sheltered canopy through the trees, offering a perfect blend of Peak District exposure and natural protection from the elements.

This route sits at the gateway to the High Peak, following a valley floor rich with industrial heritage. These reservoirs were part of the Longdendale Chain, constructed in the mid-19th century to provide Manchester with clean water during the Industrial Revolution. As you run, you are traversing what was once the Woodhead railway line, a historic artery connecting Sheffield and Manchester. Today, the area near Hadfield serves as a peaceful sanctuary for wildlife and local runners alike, providing a sense of historical scale contrasted with the quiet, modern-day beauty of the Derbyshire landscape.