Located high on the hills of Saddleworth Moor, there stands a peculiar rock formation which has well and truly gripped the attention of ramblers from far and wide.
Best known as ‘The Trinnacle’, this fork-shaped gritstone pillar juts out from the moorlands above Dovestone Reservoir and has exploded in popularity as of late.
The by-product of glacial activity dating back some 14,000 years, the deep valleys and splintered crags characterising the landscape all serve as a reminder of what once was.
Broken away from the main cliffs which loom over the reservoirs after years of weathering, the Trinnacle stands alone – like a trio of high-rise buildings – and is best found along a circular walk known as the ‘The Trinnacle Trail’.
Comprising of dazzling reservoirs, epic waterfalls, steep inclines, exhilarating scrambles and gorgeous scenery throughout; this route really has it all!
Wanting to head out on this spectacular trail and discover The Trinnacle for yourself? Then check out our comprehensive walk guide below 👇👇
‘Trinnacle Trail’ – Dovestone Circular Walk Route Info
Length: 2-3 hours
Distance: 7.2km (4.5 miles)
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 288 metres
Starting Point: Binn Green Car Park (RSPB), Oldham OL3 7NN
Where is The Trinnacle Trail?
Located to the east of Greenfield Village in Oldham, the Trinnacle can be found on the walking trail along the moors above Dovestones, Yeoman Hey and Greenfield Reservoir.
With the ideal starting point being from Binn Green Car Park (RSPB), simply head to the reservoir and traipse up the off-shoot hillside trail which takes you directly to The Trinnacle.
A word of warning however, snatching a parking spot on Bin Green proves rather tricky since its extremely small and fills up rapidly during peak times. If you have no luck finding a space here, as an alternative you can instead park at Dovestone Car Park a little further down the road.
If you’re parking on Dovestones, just remember to factor in the extra few kilometres towards your hiking time since it’ll extend your walk slightly.
Even Dovestones isn’t the biggest car park however, so if you want to snag a spot, you’d be best to get here early!
How to get to The Trinnacle – Step-by-step guide
Starting from Binn Green Car Park, head down to the reservoirs, walking across the bridge which runs between Dovestone and Yeoman Hey Reservoir.
Take a right at the far end of the bridge towards Dovestone before shortly turning left and heading up the steep Saddleworth Moor trail.
After the long & rocky ascent, lookout for the trail to your left up top which leads directly to The Trinnacle.
Once arriving, take a moment to appreciate the craggy wonder & it’s awe-inspiring views from above.
Continue along the trail past The Trinnacle, guiding you down towards Greenfield Brook. Hop along the rocks to cross the river and then take a left.
Carefully scramble your way down the rocky terrain beside the river.
Once reaching the bottom, use the rocks to hop back across the river and walk along the bridge over the beck, followed by a left turning towards Greenfield Reservoir.
From here, simply follow the trail around Greenfield & Yeoman Hey Reservoir and you’ll eventually arrive back at the starting point!
How hard is The Trinnacle Trail?
While the Trinnacle Trail is by no means a super difficult hike, it’s important that you come prepared and are comfortable with exposed scrambling.
In particular, the scramble segment beside Greenfield Brook has taken several people by surprise over the years and caused a slew of accidents.
Many of these incidents were simply down to people not expecting the route to be as hazardous as it was. It’s imperative that you wear suitable footwear such as walking boots and take extra care if attempting in poor weather conditions.
How high is The Trinnacle?
As a rough estimate, The Trinnacle stands at about 10 metres (33 feet) tall. Bearing in mind it’s already situated way up on the hills of Saddleworth Moor at an elevation gain close to 300 metres – so safe to say you’re pretty darn high up!
Is climbing on The Trinnacle safe?
With The Trinnacle enjoying a recent surge in popularity, snapping a pic on top of the three-pronged pillar has become somewhat of a necessity for many hikers.
Warning – While you are allowed to climb The Trinnacle, this is something you do at your own risk. If you do wish to clamber to the top, PLEASE take great care and only do so if you’re wholly confident in your ability and the weather allows for it. The drop at the opposite side is certainly no joke.
The Northern English climate is notoriously unpredictable and there have been several accidents on this trail through the years. Oldham Mountain Rescue warn visitors that “it can be slippery when wet, and extremely exposed when windy.”
It’s just common sense really – if you don’t think it’s safe to do so, then don’t ❌
Is it easy to climb The Trinnacle?
For experienced scramblers and those with a head for heights, scaling on top of The Trinnacle should prove rather easy. The angles you see from pictures makes the climb look much harder than it is in reality.
The exposure is quite severe and the initial path to get on to the Trinnacle is quite narrow, but the climb doesn’t really require any difficult manouvres. Just take your time and try not to look down!
How long is The Trinnacle Trail?
Starting from Binn Green Car Park, The Trinnacle Trail is just over 7 kilometres in length and can be completed in roughly 2-3 hours, depending on how long you stop for breaks.
If starting from Dovestone Car Park, you’ll be looking to add around an extra 2-3 kilometres to your ramble. For reference, here’s a Strava recording from our most recent walk to The Trinnacle from Dovestone:
Preparing for The Trinnacle Trail
First and foremost, a trusty pair of walking boots are essential for tackling The Trinnacle Trail. Comprising of steep, slippery, boggy and rocky terrain throughout, having a firm grip on the ground will help keep you & your ankles sturdy and safe.
With rain being an all-too-common occurrence in England, having a waterproof jacket handy is also a good shout.
Likewise, the trail can get tricky to follow at times (especially during fog), so having some kind of GPS and basic navigational skills is a must.
For more information on how to properly prepare for a hike, be sure to check out our detailed Beginner’s Guide here.
Greenfield Waterfall
While laying eyes on The Trinnacle is the main highlight for most ramblers undertaking this route, Greenfield Waterfall and scramble is another big tourist hotspot around Dovestone.
As you clamber down Greenfield Beck on your way back from The Trinnacle, remember to occasionally turn around and take in the fantastic waterfall views on offer.
More Resources
Enjoy reservoir walking? Then be sure to check out our list of the very best reservoir walks around the Greater Manchester area!
Likewise, for more great excursions in the Peak District, why not head over to our detailed guides on the famous Kinder Scout climb and the hidden Bleaklow Bomber plane crash site?
Happy walking 🚶🚶