Leave the far right corner of the car park along a climbing path beside a wooded clough. At the top, cross the car park's access drive and continue across rough grazing to the main road. Directly opposite, a short path leads to the Witton Weavers Way. Follow the track left, eventually passing Clough House Farm. Carry on for a further 0.25 miles (400m) to reach a crossing footpath.

Through the gate on the left, head down into the valley, emerging beside the former Turton and Edgeworth railway station. The station closed in 1961, although the line still carries passenger trains between Manchester and Clitheroe. Go over the level crossing, but at a fork lower down, bear off left on a gravel track to emerge in Chapeltown beside the 18th-century Chetham Arms. Turn left through the village, passing the old school house and village cross. At the far end of the village, swing right along Embankment Road. Where it forks, keep ahead beside iron gates to the Wayoh Reservoir.

Wander onto the dam to see the elegant outlet tower and enjoy a view down the valley, but return to follow a woodland path above the western shore. After 0.5 miles (800m), branch right across a causeway dam, from which there is a view to an impressive viaduct carrying the railway. Swing right on the far bank, rounding a stubby peninsula and shortly climbing out to a road. To the right, it drops across another causeway.

At the far side, go left to continue above the wooded shore. After winding around a small inlet, the path enters the twisted carr woodland crowding the head of the lake. In early spring, the understorey is rich in wild flowers, with lesser celandine, hemp agrimony, spurge and bluebell among those you might see. Veering left, cross two bridges, immediately beyond which the path splits. Take the branch ahead, passing right of a bench seat to then climb left among the trees. Through a gate at the top, a contained path leads between fields to a lane.

Climbing to the right, swing over a railway bridge to the Strawbury Duck. Turn left in front of the pub and follow the ongoing track past railway cottages. Keep going beyond more houses and then straight on past a junction, descending to cross the dam retaining the Turton and Entwistle Reservoir. At a fork on the far side, bear left past a car park. As the lane rises away, leave on the bend, climbing steps to the right that lead back to the Batridge Barn car park.