The Pools Loop walk
A gentle amble, with several seats along the way, around the first pond in New Pool Hollow.
Start point
Start from the map near the Chalet Pavilion. Grid reference - SO411949.Trail information
Difficulty
Full trail
DistanceMiles: .8 (km: 1.28)Short trail
DistanceMiles: .8 (km: 1.28)Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Start from the map near the Chalet Pavilion. Grid reference - SO411949.
Stage 1
Follow the stream uphill, using the bridge to avoid the ford.
Stage 2
At the bollards continue up hill to the Old Pool area. This space was the original mill pool, then a bathing pool before being filled in for car parking. No cars now are allowed up here so visitors can enjoy the peace and tranquillity.
Stage 3
From Old Pool, cross the stream on the sturdy vehicle bridge opposite the map board. Ahead, the track curves around a spur of the hill, before opening out into a broad side valley. You are now walking along New Pool Hollow, named after two more mill pools, added later when the mill became a carding mill.
Stage 4
Below the small wooden stockade, double back on yourself to join the path through the vegetation then cross the small bridge over the stream.
Stage 5
Follow the boardwalk along the side of the pool before re-joining the tarmacked road and retracing your steps to the start point.
End point
Return to the Chalet Pavilion.
Trail map
Carding Mill Valley Pools Loop walk | © Ordnance Survey
More near here
The Pipe Walk at Carding Mill Valley
This walk is a great way to see some beautiful views and also to really get to the heart of 'those blue remembered hills', as mentioned in the poem by A E Housman.
Reservoir walk
This shorter walk through the valley ends with beautiful views of the reservoir and beyond.