Walkers using the so called Trinnacle trail on Saddleworth Moor are being warned by Oldham Mountain Rescue Service to use their common sense after an increase in call outs which has been put down to photos for a social media trend
The three pillars of rocks, known as the Trinnacle, are popular on Instagram and TikTok with people taking pictures standing in the rocks and even jumping between them
An incident over the Bank Holiday weekend saw the rescue service a group of walkers lost in the Dovestones area.
In a statement the Mountain Rescue Group said those rescued had been
@following the ‘Trinnacle Trail’ and after realising they had made an error, did the correct thing by staying put following the emergency call. After establishing they were ok, but cold, the group were both flown and walked down to the vehicles for a more thorough check; then returned to our base for a brew, biscuits and a warm up.
“There continues to be a lot of publicity about the unofficially named ‘Trinnacle Trail’, with a variety of walking routes offered in apps and on social media covering the Dovestones area of Saddleworth that takes in ‘Greenfield Waterfall’ (in Birchen Clough) and the 3 pronged gritstone pillar known locally as the Trinnacle.” said the statement adding that
“Although it has always been a popular destination for those in the know, exposure on social media, along with local and national news outlets, has meant the number of people tackling the trail has surged.
@Whilst we always encourage people to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, it is important that they understand the potential risks that may be encountered; something that the various media outlets often fail to mention.”
Although the Trinnacle Trail may be advertised as one of the best walks in the UK, it must be understood there are some parts that are more than a walk: the section up Birchen Clough past Greenfield Waterfall is a scramble that often requires the use of hands and feet to make progress up the rocky steps; it is not for the faint hearted.
As well as the challenging terrain, even on the brightest of days, the weather in the hills can change in an instant. What may be shorts and t-shirt weather down in the valley can soon become a very different prospect at higher levels on the edge of Saddleworth Moor; rain, high winds and poor visibility are frequently encountered.
The rescue have seen a huge increase in the people we have had to assist in the Birchen Clough/ Raven Stones (Trinnacle) area.
Over 25% of their incidents are now in this area with people usually following some iteration of the ‘Trinnacle Trail’.
On occasion these incidents involve serious and / or potentially life changing injuries.
One of the common spots is in the vicinity of Birchen Clough and the waterfall, which is compounded by the lack of mobile phone signal in the gully. This means that it is not always possible to contact emergency services when they are required.
“It is almost a pre-requisite of visiting the Trinnacle that the hiker gets a photo of themselves on top of the pillar, but please use caution; it can be slippery when wet, and extremely exposed when windy.” say the rescue team
