Rochdale Way 6

No I haven't miss counted - I couldn't make part 5 so will have to go back and catch up another time!
Tonight's walk started at Ogden reservoir, passed Kitcliffe Reservoir and then Piethorne reservoir

Then we headed up hill along Tunshill Lane. It has been a really warm day - reaching 22 C so we were all needing plenty of water to keep us going.

Beautiful views and as we headed upwards we could see the wind turbines on Knowl hill where we had begun the walk. The trek towards Hollingworth Lake was familiar and we finished up alongside the lake and to the visitor centre. While the rest of the group carried on a bit further this was enough for me - I will have to catch up the rest some other time.

Rochdale Way 4

Week 4

We set off from Bowlee along the sculpture trail

Lovely view heading down the hill

Alkrington woods

We came out into Middleton

St Leaonard church , Middleton

Finished by the canal

The Rochdale Way 3

Part 3 of the Rochdale Way began at our local park Queens Park in Heywood. We set off at quite a pace this week so I didn't take any photos for the first couple of miles! The park is a regular haunt of ours and today we headed down to the lake and then round past the BMX track before taking a route out to the left of the park and towards Crimble Mill and then across the Rochdale - Heywood Rd, near Chamber house farm.

The next section took us on through the Castlemere Golf course where we were greeted by 2 very noisy dogs! In fact we saw a lot of animals on this walk including a young foal and some very unusual birds in an aviary.

Over the golf course we went, trying to observe the correct etiquette of walking over a golf course with players everywhere. We crossed a railway line and then had a section along the road from Heywood to cross the M62 at J19. just past here we took a drink stop.

Lots of bluebells lined the path and some forget me nots. However as we carried on we came to a problem. Someone had decided that this path was not a right of way and had blocked it off and used anti-vandal to deter people from obtaining access. There was no other way to where we were going so we climbed a fence to the right and soldiered on! It's a shame that a publicised route like this has been spoiled.

This was definitely a walk of climbing stiles, gates and fences!

Still the sun had come out for us again, despite a windy day and awful rain the previous day.

 We came out onto Langley Lane and completed this leg of the walk at The White Hart pub in Middleton, certainly feeling that we had had a good workout.

The Rochdale Way 2

Tonight was the second leg of The Rochdale Way walk and after the awful rain yesterday it was lovely to see the sun shining as we set off from Owd Betts, down hill this time.

We could see right over Rochdale and Oldham it was a lovely clear evening. We dropped down into Naden valley and followed Naden brook. Spotted lots of wild garlic near Millcroft tea gardens - will have to remember that!

 

Over the Paper mill bridge and down the familiar path on the far side. After crossing the road we followed the brook all the way down to Bury and Rochdale Old Rd. Lots of bluebells out on this section and Wood Sorrel too.

A lovely walk - completely different terrain from last weeks walk. Not many of the Rochdale Way signs though - good job we were familiar with these paths.

Naden Brook joined the River Roch. Approx 5.75miles in all, finishing at Queens park.

Nordic walking:The Rochdale Way

I have been part of a Nordic walking group called PolesAndSouls for a while now and today we began a new series of walks - to complete The Rochdale way a 45 mile route round the outskirts of Rochdale.

After a glorious week last week its turned cold again this week but tonight for the first leg of our walk the skies have been blue :)

Our first leg started at the top of Rooley Moor Road and headed East across to Naden reservoir

The poles really come into their own on some of this terrain

We crossed the reservoir and headed up the side of the valley towards Knowl Hill, spotting a Kestrel hovering along our way. It was rather breezy but we were plenty warmed up by now.

We passed by the wind turbines and the final push up Knowl Hill revealed some amazing views right over to Manchester.

Down hill from then on to finish at Owd Betts and home for a well deserved bath!