man chester cycle routes

8/2/2019 Man Chester Cycle Routes

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Visit manchesterscountryside.com

CYCLE

GUIDE

Rush HourIN MANCHESTER

The Manchesters Countryside Project would like to acknowledge the support o its partners; theGreater Manchester Local Authority Tourism Ofces, Visit Manchester and Dera, in producing this guide.

The Manchesters Countryside Project is part fnanced by the European Agricultural Fund or RuralDevelopment: Europe investing in rural areas.

Download more cycle routes and walking

trails at manchesterscountryside.comalong with GREAT ideas for days out.


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Over 500 square miles o surprising andpicturesque countryside await you and yourbike. Cycle trails, tracks, and rural roads cutthrough hidden gems o villages, over hillsand moors and along canal-sides. Welcometo Manchesters Countryside.

This guide contains a variety o rides. Thereshould be something or everyone, no matterwhat your ability. There are amily-riendlyrides, the more challenging mountain bikerides and longer distance road bike rides.

All the rides in this guide share one commontheme: they each provide an opportunityor you to explore and enjoy the beauty,charm and character that makes upManchesters Countryside.

Swapping doubleyellows for roadside inns, metropolisfor lush landscape,the multi-storeyfor the moor.

Beore you set o cycling around ManchestersCountryside, please take a ew moments to r eadthe ollowing or sae cycling guidance.

Make sure your bike is in good working order

Check your brakes and tyres beore every ride

Obey trac signs and signals and avoid ridingon the pavement

Always wear a helmet

Be seen and be sae. Use lights ater darkand use refective or fuorescent clothingand accessories

Carry a spare inner tube, tyre leversand a pump i travelling ar rom home

Study your route beore you depart

Let someone know where you are going

When cycling on towpaths and bridleways:

Pedestrians have priority

Give way to oncoming users at bridges

Take care on uneven and slippery suraces

Slow down when riding under and overcanal bridges

Give way to walkers and horse riders,and pass horses wide and slow

Remember that you need a permit to cycleon canal towpaths. This is available as a reedownload rom: www.waterscape.com

Other useul cycling and visitor websites:

www.sustrans.org.uk

www.ctc.org.uk

www.britishcycling.org.uk

SAFE CYCLING

www.cyclegm.org

www.loveyourbike.org

www.gmcc.org.uk

Your Cycling Guideto Manchesters Countryside

Halls and

HeatherA 26-mile road ride that includes HaighHall, Smithills Hall and the stunningWest Pennine Moors.

The L ittleboroughLake to Lake

A classic mountain biking route thats toughand scenic, on tracks and paths that take yourom low-lying arms to high up in the moors.

Choice o 20-mile or 10-mile rides.

The Saddleworth

Rail Tra ilA 6-mile, amily-riendly ride which ollows twointeresting and popular recreational routes orwalking, horse riding and cycling in Saddleworth.

The Monton

Green LoopA amily-riendly 7-mile loop-line ridethrough rural Salord.

The Flatlands

of DunhamA antastic 3-mile amily ride which takes ingorgeous Dunham Massey.

The D iggleJiggle

A tough 11-mile mountain bike ride withtechnical descents and a handul o climbs,taking in Delph, Dobcross and Diggle.

Hallsroute

A 17-mile ride around glorious Stockport,taking in seven halls and 300 years o heritage.

The Bury

C ircularA 13-mile leisure ride around and acrossthe rural West Pennine Hills north o the BlackPudding capital o Bury.

www.manchesterscountryside.com

Important note. The maps that accompany the ride commentaries contained within this guide are orillustration only. You should research and rehearse your route beore you start. Visit maps.google.co.uk

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Halls andHeatherRich in heritage and colour, this ride showcases; HaighHall, Wigans Grade II listed Georgian Manor House,Smithills Hall one o Boltons oldest Manor Houseswith parts dating back to the 15th Century, andRivington Hall and Barn.

The ride introduces rural delights like Lever Park whichin turn gives way to the West Pennine Moors. Villagesen route including Belmont and Horwich providecharacter lled tearooms and other stop-os.

R ide and difficulty :Moderate to dicult. A road bike ride or theprocient cyclist. Involving some testing climbsand ast descents.

Distance:26 miles.

Start/Fin ish point:Although we begin this ride at Haigh Hall and CountryPark (WN2 1PE) this is a loop ride and as such you canstart at any o the other Historic Halls: Rivington Hall(BL67SB) or Smithills Hall (BL17NP).

Refreshments and to ilets :Haigh Hall has a ca, Inormation Centre andtoilets. There is a ca at both Smithills Hall andRivington Hall Barn. Horwich has cas and pubsincluding Bobs Smithy and The Black Dog along theroute. There is also a pretty tea shop in Rivington.

Useful webs ites

and contact information:Haigh Hall and Country Park - 01942 832895www.wlct.org

Smithills Hall and Country Park - 01204 332377www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/smithillshall

Rivington Hall and Barn - 01204 697738www.rivingtonhallbarn.co.uk

For urther inormation on this route or any includedin this guide please contact - 0161 253 5111.

THE r ideTake a let out oHaighs main gates headingdown to Red Rock. Take in the views o Wiganto your let. Turn right at the junction (ontoMeadow Pit Lane) and travel three-quarterso a mile beore taking a let turn just ater theFishing Lodge. Keep straight on taking the letork onto Tuckers Hill Brow. Take a right aterhal a mile and ollow the hill down Dark Lane tothe A6 junction; cross slowly and saely. Followpretty Grimeord Lane under the motorwaybridge and cross the Bolton Road (A673).

Head on or hal a mile until you reach HorrobinRoad on your right. Enjoy the downhill andscenery as you pass over the RivingtonReservoir Bridge. Go straight ater the bridge,veering let onto Sheep House Lane beore thevillage stocks. Ride up the hill ignoring the rstlet turn and then the next right turn. Keepgaining height. Ater a couple o miles the roadeases and there is a long downhill towardsBelmont Village. Youll come to a junction withthe Black Dog pub on your let.

Turn right down Belmont Road (I you wish to add amile or so and see a bit more o Boltons countryside,then take second let and cycle through EgertonWoods. Follow Egerton Road to the cross roads thengo right, down past Delph Reservoir. Please note thisis off-road from Delph Reservoir).

One mile down Belmont Road take a right ontoScout Road and ollow it up the short hill withWilton Quarries on your right. Just ater Bryan HeyReservoir is Smithills Dean Road on your let.Head down here to visit Smithills Hall. Alternatively,ollow Scout Road, with Bolton down below on yourlet until you come to the junction with Chorley OldRoad - Bobs Smithy Pub is on your right. Turn rightand head towards Horwich.

This is the access road or the Winter Hill TVtransmitter, well worth the eort with a monumentto a murdered Scotsman rom the 19th Centuryat the top and amazing views over Manchesters

Countryside and beyond.

There is a long descent into the town centre. Gostraight through the town until you get to an oddjunction with a roundabout as well as give-waymarkings. Turn right and then look to take the nextright onto Lever Park Avenue marked by twoornamental grey stone columns either side o theroad. This road leads to Rivington Hall Barn. Stopor rereshments or continue down to the reservoirwhere you can retrace your route back to Haigh Hall.

DUNSCARGOLF CLUB

RIVINGTON HALLBARN

WINTER HILL

Optional routeto winter hill

Optional route via dunscar golf club(This section is off-road)

RIVINGTON

RESERVOIR

delphRESERVOIR

A675BelmontRoad

A6 CHORLEYROAD

B6226

M62

A673BoltonRoad

SMITHILLSHall

HAIGH HALL

START

RIDE 1


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The LittleboroughLake to LakeA classic mountain biking route thats tough and scenic,on tracks and paths that take you rom low-lying armsto high up in the moors. You have the choice o a 10-mileand a 20-mile ride. Starting at Hollingworth Lake, the ull20-mile route has an out and back sectio n linked to a

10-mile loop. Alternatively, start and nish at Summit orWalsden or the 10-mile loop only. This ride orms part oa separate series o rides and walking t rails that can bedownloaded ree rom:www.nationaltrail.co.uk/penninebridleway

R ide and difficulty :A challenging mountain bike ride with testing climbsand descents.

Distance:Full Route: 20 miles / 31km. Loop Only: 10 miles / 16km.

Start/Fin ish point:For those arriving by train there is the choiceo alighting at Walsden to do The Loop or atLittleborough to do the Full Route. By car, The Loopcan be started at either the hamlet o Summit or atWalsden village. Both are on the A6033 road romLittleborough to Todmorden. For the ull route, payparking is at Hollingworth Lake (OL15 0AQ) which is twomiles north west o Rochdale, close to J21 on the M62.

Refreshments and to ilets :There is a ca at Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre thatserves hot and cold snacks. Along the road on thelakeside there are pubs, cas and B&Bs. Littleboroughcentre has a good selection o pubs, cas and shops.Walsden has chip shops, pubs and a village store.Summit has The Summit Inn and a s mall canal-sideshop. At Watergrove Reservoir you can detour hal amile to Wardle village or a pub and shops.

Useful webs itesand contact information:Hollingworth Lake Country Park - 01706 373421

Rochdale tourism - 01706 924928www.visitrochdale.com

Pennine Bridleway

www.nationaltrail.co.uk/penninebridleway

For urther inormation on this route or any included inthis guide please contact - 0161 253 5111.

THE r ideI arriving by train at Littleborough go throughthe station subway to Hollingworth Road. Turnright and cycle hal a mile uphill to the lake. Turnlet at The Wine Press pub and ollow the roadpast the Visitor Centre entrance. I starting romthe Visitor Centre car park, take a let out othe driveway. Ater 100m turn let up the tracksigned Pennine Bridleway (PBW) and climb.Cross the cattle grid and ater a small descentbear right when the track splits. Go up the stonypath and bear let at the path ork. Ater a small

ord the path splits again go let. You will meeta wide track. Now go let ollowing the line othe pylons.

Turn right at the lane (signed Summit). Follow toroad junction and turn right. Ater 100m, takea let onto the path. Keep on the main track asit climbs to a pylon. Cross over the road and gostraight ahead. Continue to the junction withthe wide track and then take a right. When thetrack orks, bear let.

Cross the bridge and go through the gate tothe arm. The path skirts the arm on the rightthrough a series o gates. You will then climbsteeply to reach a grassy top and then ollowthe path down. Cross the river and bear sharplet then quickly sharp right. Drop to join thetrack and turn right. Go through the gate and

ollow straight down, over the canal to the mainroad. Turn right then quickly let up a narrowpath. Climb past the house up to the roadjunction. Turn right then an immediate let ontothe track signed Mary Towneley Route East.Continue to climb.

Just beore a cattle grid bear right onto a track.Follow along and then down towards a pylon.Through a gate and down to another gate. Keepollowing the main path until you arrive at asignpost or Bottomley. Follow this to the starto a steep technical descent. Follow the markersas it zig zags down. Ater the second gate turnright to ollow the path to the main road.

(To avoid a couple o tough climbs it is nowpossible to take a let onto the main road

- continue to Walsden and turn let ontoInchfeld Road opposite the Post Oce).Otherwise, cross the main road and turn let.Follow the pavement or 200m, then turn right(PBW sign) onto Bottomley Road. Follow aroundthe bend, over the canal then straight on andup steep cobbled path. Continue to the cottage.Turn let and quickly let again onto path(PBW sign). Cross the stream and then pass thehouse on the let.

Now a steep climb ollows. Go through thegate and carry straight on along the tarmaclane. Stay on the lane and drop steeply untilyou reach the junction with the main road atWalsden. Carry on along Inchfeld Road.

Now climb again, keeping straight on until thelane eventually turns to a track. Ride over thecattle grid. Keep on this wide track and passthe arm on your let. Continue to climb.Go straight ahead on the driveway orLower Dytches Farm. Immediatelybeore the next arm, bear rightthrough the gate onto a grassy track.Climb again to the path split, andagain bear let.

Just ater the next gate go let

onto a narrow path. Follow toa gate then down and overthe stream. A bit o eortis now required beore thepath eases, then its adescent crossing a stream(sometimes dry) anda right when the pathsplits (blue bridlewayarrow). Follow downto reach a widertrack and heador the reservoir.Beore reachingWatergroveReservoir you willrejoin the Pennine

Bridleway. Turnlet at the signor Watergrove.

Go let againat the secondgate justbeore thereservoirand thennext let(signpostedShaw). Climb past two gates thenstay on this main track ollowing signpostsor Calderbrook and then Summit. Eventuallyyou reach a road. Turn let to Summit. Follow thePBW signs to the end o the road and continuealong the track. Come out on tarmac and turn

right down to a junction where you then turnlet. Continue or 50m. Turn right - signposted toSummit and descend past a house and down tothe main road by the Summit pub.

Now its a matter o retracing your steps ollowingthe PBW back to Hollingworth Lake (this is wellsignposted) or take a right on the A6033 down toLittleborough and then onto Hollingworth Lake.Alternatively ollow the canal towpath behind thepub back to Littleborough station where youollow Hollingworth Road to the Lake.

For The Loop only, start and fnish at Summitnear The Summit pub (roadside parking) or thecar park in Walsden opposite the station.

WALSDEN STATION

LOWERDYTCHES

INCHFIELD RD

BOTTOMLEY RD

CATTLE GRID

A58

FARM

B6225

PBW

CALDERBROOK

SUMMIT

PYLONS

LITTLEBOROUGH

WATERGROVERESERVOIR

HOLLINGWORTH LAKE

WALSDEN

THE SUMMIT PUB

A6033

VISITOR CENTRE

RIDE2


5/10

The SaddleworthRail TrailTwo ormer railway lines - now popular recreationalroutes - make this ride a perect way or amiliesto discover Saddleworth. The Delph Donkey Trail(named ater the white horse which rst pulledthe carriages) and Saddleworth Linear (part o the

Pennine Bridleway) link the charming villages oDelph, Dobcross and Greeneld either side o theBrownhill Countryside Centre and Nature Garden.

R ide and difficulty :Easy medium. A lovely ride or the amilyalong two fat o-road bike routes, linked byone steep climb along a quiet country lane.

Distance:Approximately 6 miles (Delph Donkey 2 miles,Saddleworth Linear 4 miles).

Start/Fin ish point:Brownhill Countryside Centre. Wool Road,Dobcross. Oldham. OL3 5PB.

Refreshments and to ilets :Brownhill Countryside Centre.

Saddleworth Crats Co-operative Ca,Delph (OL3 5DQ).

Newbank Garden Centre Ca,Delph New Road, Dobcross (OL3 5NP).

Local pubs in Dobcross and Delph.

Useful webs ites

and contact information:Brownhill Countryside Centre - 01457 872598www.visitoldham.com

Saddleworth Crats Co-operativeShop and Ca - 01457 874705www.acebook.com/saddleworthcrats

Newbank Garden Centre (Dobcross) - 01457 876571www.newbankgardencentre.com

Saddleworth Museum andArt Gallery (Uppermill) - 01457 874093www.saddleworthmuseum.co.uk


THE r idePark at Brownhill Countryside Centre andtake the path just to the let o the centreto roll alongside the Huddersfeld NarrowCanal. Turn let and then turn right over thestone bridge which is immediately ater thelock gate i you go under the railway viaductyouve gone too ar.

Follow the stony track up the hill or about 200

yards looking or the begi nning o the cycletrack on your right. Go onto the track veeringlet and just ollow the path, marked withboards telling the Donkey Lines history, untilyou come to the disused woolen mill at theend. Here you can turn around and cycle backor continue on the roads to explore the prettyvillage o Delph.

Head back to Brownhill Countryside Centreby retracing your steps or ollowing the quietcountry lanes through Dobcross. LeavingDelph along Gatehead Road and Platt Lane,then heading down Woods Lane and alongDobcross New Road, past Newbank GardenCentre, to the Countryside Centre.

Back at the Countryside Centre, cross overthe main road and head up Brownhill Lane,passing under the Railway Viaduct. Followthe road as it bends sharply to the let andcontinue to climb, (children may want to pushtheir bikes here) travelling between the eldsto the junction with Ryefelds Drive.

Turn right down Ryefelds Drive (signpostedPennine Bridleway (PBW), and ater 50mturn right down a track marked by a woodenentrance way. At the road crossing keepstraight on, ollowing signs or PBW past theootball pitch and Saddleworth Pool, until you

come out at Carr Lane and Arthurs Lane. Turn letand then quickly right onto a path heading betweenthe trees into the centre oGreenfeld (at thejunction with Chew Valley Road).

Ater exploring Greeneld, return to BrownhillCountryside Centre the way you came, or turn rightalong Chew Valley Road. Head back along the mainroads through Uppermill to the countryside centre,stopping on the way to admire Greenfeld CanalMarina, Saddleworth Museum and Art Gallery,and St Chads House and Gardens , and enjoysome rereshments.

OLDHA

MRD GATEHEADRDDELPH

START

NewbankGarden centre

saddleworth pool

greenfield canalmarina

saddleworthmuseum andart gallery

sandylan

e

DOBCROSS

BROWNHILLCOUNTRYSIDECENTRE

Greenfieldstation

BROWNHILL lanE

chew valley ROAD

HUDDERSFIELDNARROW CANAL

BUTTERHOUSELANE

UPPERMILL

GREENFIELD

PENNINEBRIDLEWAY(PBW)

HIGH ST

DELPHNEW

R D

DOBCROSSNEW

RD

Woods

lane

Pla

ttlane

RIDE3


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7/10

The Flatlandsof DunhamThe steepest climb on this ride is getting into thesaddle. This is a antastic amily trip o just over 3miles which takes in gorgeous and historic DunhamMassey. Here you can chain up the bike and takea walk along mile upon mile o sae garden andwoodland path and trail.

R ide and difficulty :Suitable or all ages and abilities.

Distance:Approximately 3.3 miles.

Start/Fin ish point:For ease o parking and access to rereshments wesuggest that you start at Red House Farm and TeaRooms (WA14 5RL).

Refreshments and to ilets :Along the route there are numerous places to eat anddrink including the Stables restaurant at the NationalTrust Property.

Useful webs itesand contact information:Red House Farmwww.redhousearm.co.uk

Traord Tourist Inormationwww.visittraord.ino


THE r ideLeave Red House Farm and turn right onto RedHouse Lane. Ater just 100m go let ontoHenshall Lane. Take your next let. Go straightacross the cross roads with the Rope and Anchorpub on your right.

This is Station Road. You will shortly pass by the nextpub (Vine Inn). The road bends let through DunhamWoodhouses , shortly ater which you will cross underthe Canal Bridge. Follow along Woodhouse Lane - as

you look right now you will see the wo odlands andparklands oDunham Massey. The main entrance orcyclists is on the right 200m past the aqueduct.

To journey back to Red House Farm turn right outo the park then turn let and ollow School Lanethrough Dunham Village past the Axe and Cleaver,over the Canal Bridge until you get to the crossroads. Follow the signs let down Red House Lane.The Farm and Tea Rooms are just on the right.

(Please note entrance to Dunham MasseyPark is ree but admission charges apply toHouse, Garden and Car Parking)

HENSHALL LANE

ROPE & ANCHORPUB

dunham massey farmIce Cream

DUNHAM MASSEYHALL & GARDENS(NATIONAL TRUST)

RED HOUSE FARM& TEA ROOM

RED HOUSE LANE

BRIDGEWATERCANAL

DUNHAM MASSEYBREWERY

DUNHAM VILLAGESHOP

Lavender BarnTea room

SCHOOL LANE

AXE & CLEAVERPUB

VINE INN PUB

STATION RD

DUNHAM WOODHOUSES

WOODHOUSE LANE

START

RIDE5


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The Diggle JiggleAnother route east o Oldham. This time a circularmountain bike route (taken rom the PennineBridleway National Trail Series). This ride has twodistinct halves. The rst part rom Diggle teases withsome small ups and downs whilst the second part othe ride makes you work hard up to Harrop Edge viaDobcross and then climbing up to Standedge.

R ide and difficulty :A tough ride with technical descents and a handul oclimbs the largest being up to Standedge (400m).

Distance:11 miles.

Start/Fin ish point:The Village o Diggle. Sam Road Car Park. OL3 5PU.

Refreshments and to ilets :The route starts and nishes near the Diggle Hotelwhich serves ood. Also in Diggle there is the HangingGate Pub, a chip shop, and a canal-side ca. Thereare other pubs along the route and close to the route

is Uppermill a lovely village with a selection o cas,tea rooms and pubs.

Useful webs itesand contact information:Pennine Bridlewaywww.nationaltrail.co.uk/penninebridleway

Oldham Tourist Inormation - 0161 770 8035www.visitoldham.com


THE r ideRide out o the car park and turn right over therailway bridge taking next right. Follow the roadpassing Kilngreen Church. Continue up steeply.At next road junction turn let. Just beorethe top turn right at the sign or the PennineBridleway (PBW). Bear let at the ork and ollowon straight through the gate.

Ater 300m turn let (signed PBW) then take aright down the track. At road crossinggo straight on. Keep ollowing signs or PBW

past the ootball pitch and swimming pool.Come out at Cross Lane and Arthurs Lane.Turn let immediately onto a path marked PBW.Go across two roads, pass the Tennis Cluband continue on.

Beore the bridge turn right onto the pathkeeping the river on your let. At the end turnlet onto the road. Climb up and around thesharp bend passing Greenfeld Station onyour let.

At the give way sign turn let then take animmediate right onto narrow Ladcastle Road.Climb again past the gol club entrance andthen descend steeply. Ater 400m take a sharpright onto Mow Halls Lane. Just prior to thebridge look out or the entrance to the Delph

Donkey Trail. Take a let onto the trail.

Follow on until you reach a sign or DobcrossVillage Centre. Turn right onto the road thenright again at the give way. Cycle down to theroundabout by the Pub and take rst exit.Climb Woods Lane up to the Swan Pub. Turnlet onto Platt Lane then right up Sandy Lane.Ater 150m bear let and carry straighton. Continue along the gravel track.

At the cross roads turn right or a gradual andlong climb. Ater a short descent you will cometo a track crossroads - turn let, descendingback to the road. Go let or just 10m then rightdown the tarmac drive. Bear right just beorethe house, drop down to a gate and take a right

on the road. Continue straight on past the rstreservoir and climb to next reservoir.

Proceed straight on ollowing signs orStandedge (mostly uphill). At the T-junctiontake a let. Climb to road top and continuestraight. At top take a right ollowing PBW signand drop down to road. Follow the track.

Just beore road climbs take a right onto pathor PBW. Descend to gate, bear let and ollow toDiggle Hotel. Turn right to go over the railwaybridge and your car park is on the let.

DIGGLE HOTEL

Standedge tunnel

WARD LN

PUB

SWAN PUB

SAM ROADCAR PARK

DIGGLE

(PBW)

TOP CLIMB

DOBCROSS

LOOK FOR SIGNDOBCROSS

DELPH DONKEY TRAIL

LONG

LN

A62

Brunclough

car park

A62

DIRTY LANE

PENNINEBRIDLEWAY(PBW)

UPPERMILL

GREENFIELD

saddleworth pool

A669

LADCA

STLE

RD

START

Greenfieldstation

RIDE6


9/10

halls routeOnce amous or its elt hatting industry, Stockportalso has some stunning countryside and historic hallsworth visiting. This ride should attract the leisureand road cyclist and takes you through ve rivervalleys en-route to nine wonderul and historic halls.

R ide and difficulty :A mixture o fat country lane and town roads with theoccasional incline or steep hill. Possible or amilies

and passable or leisure bikes. There are a couple ogravel tracks, so should you attempt this on a roadbike, be prepared with that puncture repair kit!

Distance:Approximately 17 miles.

Start/Fin ish point:It is recommended that you start and nish romBramall Hall. However, should you wi sh to, you cancommence the ride anywhere along the route.

Refreshments and to ilets :There are cas, pubs and shops in places like Hazel Grove

and Cheadle Village with tea rooms and toilets at BramallHall and a restaurant adjacent to Bruntwood Hall.

Useful webs itesand contact information:Bramall Hallwww.bramallhall.org.uk

www.visit-stockport.com

www.reddishvale.moonruit.com

www.cyclestockport.org.uk


THE r ideOnce you have arrived at Bramall Hall, reverseback along Hall Road and turn right back down thehill and up the other side to turn let into LinneyRoad. Ater 100m turn right into Tenement Lane.Ater passing under the railway bridge, turn let atthe T- junction onto Ladybridge Road. Ater 150m,turn right at the entrance road to the March HarePublic House.

Keep slightly right and ollow the central path(Ladybrook Valley Bridleway) down to the bridge.Cross to the opposite bank (play area) to ollow

the river path. Pass another bridge to a let exitonto Radnormere Drive and turn right. At the endo the road, turn right again onto Queens Road.Take the second let, Old Wool Lane, into tradingestate. Keep let at the junction shortly passingthe Gol Club on the right.

Ater 200m, where road bears let , keep straightonto a path leading to road junction (CheadleRoad). Turn right, taking care, keeping the Gol Clubon the right and shortly turn let into Valley Roadand then let again onto Bruntwood Lane andBruntwood Hall. Rereshments are available atthe adjacent Vinery Restaurant.

Reverse onto Bruntwood Lane to the bottomand turn right. Shortly ater, turn let into ShiersDrive. At Cheadle Baths and Leisure Centre turnlet onto the park path (black hoops). Exit the park

turning right onto Wilmslow Road and proceedinto Cheadle Village.

At trac lights, pass into the White Hart Car Parkand exit onto Hall St. Turn right to the corner(Funeral Directors) and then turn let intoBrook Drive, passing the Drill Hall. Pass under thebridge. Turn right at path end, shortly passingthe Alexandra Hospital and turn right atT-junction. Turn let at car sales garage (just beoretrac lights) and pass back under the railwaybridge. Continue past a pond (on the let) andonto Abney Hall.

Turn let and proceed to park exit (take great carehere). Turn right (advise children to cycle on thepavement) and pass over the motorway bridgeto turn right at River Mersey Bridge. Go down a

short fight o steps and continue on this riversidepath passing a trading estate shortly ater a smallclimb. Pass a leaping wooden sh sculpture to nda motorway bridge. Bear let up a shallow, steppedincline to ollow a track, via a couple o chicanes toemerge onto Didsbury Road.

Cross the road at the trac lights, turn rightonto a cycle path, then turn let into Green Lane,ollowing the Trans Pennine Trail signage. Ater200m, continue through the gate on a gravel paththrough a tunnel to the road junction at the top(Bowerold Lane). Turn right ater 200m to bollardsand a ootpath at Dunblane Ave.

Cross the rail bridge to trac lights (A6). Proceeddiagonally into Southdown Close to a T-junction atthe end (Parsonage St). Turn right then take rst let(Church Rd) into the park.

Ater 150m, turn let at the crossroads into Love Lane/Gordon St. Take the third right (Orphanage St) anddescend to Lancashire Hill. The path passes below thefats on the right side, crossing Penny Lane into trees.

Take the let ramp into the Tame Valley. Turn let atthe river path to pass over Tiviot Way using the cycle/equestrian lights. Turn right or 100m then let intoReddish Vale Country Park. Take the tarmac suraced

climb uphill to a sandy track (alongside a tradingestate on the right, behind a green ence). Keepbearing right to pass through an illuminated tunnel.Ater 200m turn right at large boulders to descend ared suraced hill (steep path so take care). Pass underthree motorway bridges and turn sharp let to a largemill. Continue to the inersection (Welkin Road), andthen turn let uphill, taking care at this busy junction.Turn right at Osborne St just ater the trac lights.

Ater 300m turn right, (signed Bredbury Hall) andcontinue on dirt track passing 2 arms (the secondbeing Goyt Hall Farm). Continue another mile toemerge at Otterspool Bridge (shallow cobbled incline).Turn right very careully to pass the garden centre andthe Hare & Hounds Pub.

Dismount to use the uphill pavement, and turn letinto Old Hall Drive. Keeping the large chimneys oOerton Hall in sight, walk along the short connectingpath to Hal Moon Lane. Turn let, passing a school, toa T-junction at Alreton Road.

Turn let onto a suraced pathway between elds (CowLane) and proceed to Sainsburys. Cross the A6 intoNew Moor Lane (at side o Phoenix Public House) ontoBramhall Moor Lane. Turn right immediately ater therailway bridge into Barlows Lane South.

Turn right at the T-junction onto a gravel track andproceed past a yellow barrier. On reaching the

houses, go through an opening in the metal enceand turn let.

Take the second road on the right, Flowery Fields, justbeore the allotments. At the T-junction, turn right toanother T-junction. Turn let onto Woodsmoor Lane,taking care at the roundabout junction. Turn let ontoBramhall Lane South to the trac lights junction. Turnright into Midland Road, then turn let into North ParkRoad (passing the shops).

At next T-junction, turn right (downhill) passing theTennis Club and over the Ladybrook . Climb slight hilland turn let into Hall Road. Ater admiring BramallHall, the Stables Tea Rooms are nice or rereshments.

WOODSMOOR

BRAMALL HALL

UNDERBANK HALL

CHEADLE HEATH

RIVER MERSEY

RIVER

TAME

HEAVILEY

EDGELEY

HEATON MERSEY

ABNEY HALL

BRUNTWOODHALL

PENDLEBURY HALL

WOODBANKHALL

OFFERTONHALL

BREDBURYHALL

START

GOYT HALLFARM

RIVER GOYT

POISE

BROOK

LADYBROOK

RIDE7


10/10

The BuryCircularA leisure ride o around 13 miles across rural WestPennine Hills north o the Black Pudding capital oBury. This ride takes in the Roman road o WatlingStreet as well as charming villages such as Aetsidewith its ancient cross the supposed hal-way pointbetween London and Edinburgh.

R ide and difficulty :A moderate ride or a leisure or mountain bike.The route ollows roads, cycle paths and o-roadsuraced paths with some hills.

Distance:Approximately 13 miles.

Start/Fin ish point:The ride is circular, so you can start anywhere.We suggest that you start at Burrs Country Park(BL8 1DA) just north o Bury town centre. Travellingclockwise gives you a general warm up beore theclimb. An alternative starting point is the Pack Horsein Aetside (BL8 3QW).

Refreshments and to ilets :There are a number o pubs, sandwich shops andother eateries along the route. The Pack Horse Innin Aetside www.packhorseaetside.co.uk haslovely views and good ood, and in Tottington youwill nd an attractive town with a range o placesto eat and drink. There is a ca in Burrs CountryPark (open at peak times).

Useful webs ites

and contact information:Burywww.visitbury.com

Aetsidewww.aetside.org.uk

East Lancs Railwaywww.eastlancsrailway.org.uk


THE r ideThe ride begins at Burrs Country Park and goesclockwise. From the car park at Burrs Country Parkollow Woodhill Road back towards Bury towncentre. Just beore a two story oce block take alet onto Woodhill Cycleway (National cycle route6). Follow this over the River Irwell until it meetsa road where you turn right, then let at the nextjunction. As you reach the Police Station loo k orthe cycle path ahead on the right and ollow thisto an underpass underneath Peel Way. Whenyou emerge go right, then hard let and ollow

the marked cycleway until it ends and just keepheading in a straight line down Tenters Street andthen Bridge Road (Bury Grammar School).

At St Gabriels High School turn right and at the endo this road you will nd the start o the DaisyfeldGreenway (signed again as national Cycle Route 6).Follow the path, rising over the railway viaduct,until a second marker stone is seen on the righthaving just gone underneath a road bridge. Leavethe cycle route here by turning right and youll ndyoursel on Buller Street then let onto KitchenerStreet and proceed to Bolton Road.

Cross Bolton Road to Haig Road (past theWellington Pub) and continue until you meetAinsworth Road. Turn let and slowly climb lookingor a cobbled road with bollards on your right. Thisis Dow Lane and is ollowed to its junction withLowercrot Road. Turn right pulling up the shorthill until you see Bentley Hall Road on your let.

Follow up the hill on a airly rough track and enjoythe short descent. Turn right at the junction withHarwood Road or another sharp pull, then alet turn onto Bradshaw Road. You will then seeWatling Street straight ahead. Follow this throughthe village o Aetside. The Packhorse Pub in thevillage is an alternative starting point or this ride.

Enjoy the descent and turn right at the next junction,doubling back onto Turton Road. Follow this toTottington. Ater youve passed the Co-op look out orKirklees Street on your let and turn down this road.At the bottom o the hill look or a gate on your right.

Take the track to the Kirklees Trail.(*Alternatively rom early 2012 turn right along theormer railway and continue across a new viaduct toBrandlesholme Road. Cross the road and go onto t heresidential cul-de-sac opposite. Where it turns righttake the track downhill back to Woodhill Road.)

Turn let on the path along the ormer railwayline, crossing Island Lodge viaduct, to the endo the trail at Greenmount . Here turn right ontoBrandlesholme Road and right again at the mainjunction with Longsight Road. Follow this untilyou see Hunstanton Drive on your let (theres adoctors surgery on the corner). At the bottom othe hill you meet Woodhill Road again.

HOLCOMBEBROOK

GREENMOUNT

TURTON ROAD

AFFETSIDE

WATLING STREET

FOUR LANE ENDS

STARLINGS

ELTON

WALSHAW

BURY

BURY BOLTON STREET

STATION

SUMMERSEATRAILWAY STATION

WOOLFOLD

BRANDLESHOLME

BURRSCOUNTRYPARK

BrandlesholmeRoad

TOTTINGTON

*Optional routeFully open 2012

(START)

Ea

stLancashire

Railway

RIDE8

man chester cycle routes

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