Hollingworth Lake, Manchester Sunday 30th September 2018

Today’s Walk

Strenuous Leader : Carole Rankin   Distance: 10.50 miles

From the lake along Weavers Way, passing the Visitor Centre, to Lydgate. West along Blackstone Edge Rd and the Roman Rd to the Aiggin Stone where we join the Pennine Way and go south along Blackstone Edge, 472m, 1549ft, for amazing views. Keeping on the Pennine Way we cross the M62 towards Windy Hill Transmitter, then west to the Pennine Bridleway and Rakewood Rd passing under the M62 and on through Rakewood. We then go around Hollingworth Lake back to the start for a pint or a cuppa. Mainly on good footpaths and country lanes. If Carole in unavailable Dennis will lead.

Moderate Leader: Peter Denton   Distance: 7.00 miles

We start our walk from the visitor centre on to the Reservoir Way around Benny Hill around Higher Booth then cross over the M62, down onto the Pennine Bridleway and under the M62. We then head up Deep Lane heading to Milnrow and head to Belfield where we pick up the Rochdale canal. Finally we go back towards Hollingworth Lake for a well-earned cuppa or a tipple of the good stuff.

Leisurely Leader: Dave Hatchard   Distance: 6.70 miles

We leave the Visitors Centre and travel along Rochdale Way for about .75 mile then we join the Pennine Bridleway and travel to Longley Hey. We start our return journey heading towards the communication mast by Humber Farm. We then head across a few fields into Balees Wood and follow the foot path back to the Visitors Centre. There are a couple of steep hills in the walk but nothing too strenuous, and about 4 stiles. Some of the route may be boggy depending on the weather the week before the walk.

Easy Leader: Jackie Gudgeon   Distance 5.25 miles

The walk today will begin at the Hollingworth Lake Information Centre where there is a café and toilets. This is located a 5 to 10 minute walk from where the coach will probably drop off and park, so please stay with your leader from the coach and we will walk there together. We will set off along the Ealees valley to reach the Rochdale Canal at Littleborough. We follow the canal south for just over two miles to leave the towpath near Clegg Hall. We then follow a couple of field paths, then the driveway towards Peacock Farm, where we arrive at the shore of Hollingworth Lake. A pleasant circuit of the lake follows, passing a convenient café part way round, eventually arriving back at the Visitor Centre. Good tracks, canal towpath, field paths, quiet lane. Almost completely flat.