About
There are a number of guided walks you can join in Rochdale borough for free. All walks are guided by a walk leader.
Safety information for guided walks
- No dogs allowed, except for guide dogs.
- Walks in winter may be cancelled or rerouted if surfaces are considered too dangerous due to ice, deep snow or mud.
- We advise you to wear a waterproof coat and walking boats or similar hardy footwear in poor weather.
- The walks have been awarded ‘Accredited Scheme’ status as we have proven that our walks are safe, well-led and well-organised.
Volunteer as a walk leader
Would you like to lead a regular guided walk? We’re looking for volunteers to help lead and organise walks throughout the borough. You’ll need to be aged 18 or over.
All volunteers need to complete our Ramblers Association accredited ‘Volunteer Walk Leaders’ course before leading a group. Further ongoing support is available from The Living Well Volunteer co-ordinator. The free courses are also open to people wishing to lead health walks within their own community group.
Living Well Health and Wellbeing Walks
There's no need to book, you can just turn up. Please note that timings displayed are departure times. Walkers should arrive in good time to set off on their walk at the stated time.
Mondays
- Departure time: 10am
- Group: Milnrow Library Walking Group
- Departure Point: Milnrow Library, Newhey Road, Milnrow OL16 3PS
- Route: Start and end at the historic Milnrow Library. With tea and coffee upon your return (donation 50p). a variety of walking routes tailored to the participants' ability on the day. The route will be around the Milnrow and Newhey countryside, usually including a section along the beautiful Rochdale Canal towpath.
- Low impact route: You can choose to take a low impact, shorter distance walking route option alongside the more challenging graded walks. These walks start and end at the same time and location as the other more challenging walks. You can still join the other walkers for a social and well deserved cup of tea afterwards.
- Departure time: 10.30am
- Group: Hollin Walking Group
- Departure Point: Hollin Estate Management Board Office, 48 Nowell Road, Middleton M24 6FL
- Route: Starting and ending on the Hollin estate in Middleton. The group take on a variety of moderate ability walks in the surrounding area. This may include a section along the Rochdale Canal and a route through the grounds of Hopwood Hall.
- Departure time: 11am
- Group: Kirkholt Circular Walk and Talk
- Departure Point: Rochdale Boroughwide Housing Office, The Strand, Rochdale OL11 2JG
- Route: A light one-hour walk starting and finishing at The Strand in Kirkholt. This circular walk enjoys a route through the Rhodes Ravine and a short section along the Rochdale Canal. This social walk is perfect for people who enjoy a chat while they stroll.
Tuesdays
- Departure time: 10am
- Group: Cutgate Walking Group
- Departure Point: On the first Tuesday of every month, the group meet at either Norden Chip Shop at 731 Edenfield Road, Norden, Rochdale OL11 5TT or Greenbooth Reservoir. The car park for Greenbooth Reservoir is on Forsyth Lane, Rochdale OL12 7TL. On all other Tuesdays, the group meets at the entrance to Denehurst Park on Edenfield Road, Rochdale OL11 5AU.
- Route: This circular walk of approximately 2 hours. A mixture or semi-rural and rural environments is suitable for the moderately experienced walker.
- Departure time: 10am
- Group: Littleborough Library Walking Group
- Departure Point: Littleborough Library, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough OL15 9HE
- Route: Start and finish at Littleborough Library in Hare Hill Park. The walking route is dependant upon the group members and weather conditions on the day. The walk will take in the beautiful Rochdale Canal with its protected status, or head up into the hills above Littleborough.
Wednesdays
- Departure time: 10am
- Group: Castleton Walking Group
- Departure Point: Castleton Community Centre, Manchester Road, Rochdale OL11 1LH – meet in the large car park behind the community centre.
- Route: A walk for Castleton and surrounding areas with routes incorporating the Rochdale Canal, countryside and parks. Several route options available.
- Departure time: 2pm
- Group: Hollingworth Lake Walking Group
- Departure Point: Hollingworth Lake RSPCA Centre, Rakewood Road, Littleborough OL15 0AQ
- Route: Start and finish at Hollingworth Lake RSPCA Centre and Café. This more advanced walking group ventures out onto the surrounding moorland above Hollingworth Lake, with members taking in spectacular views as they go. Suitable footwear, clothing and water are a must. This walk lasts around 2 hours.
Thursdays
- Departure time: 10am
- Group: Spotland Library Walking Group
- Departure Point: Spotland Library, Ings Lane, Rochdale OL12 7AL
- Route: Start and finish at Spotland Library, this more advanced group typically head up into the Healey Dell Nature Reserve and the surrounding countryside. Suitable footwear, clothing and water are a must. This walk takes around 2 hours.
- Departure time: 10am
- Group: Queen's Park Walk
- Departure Point: Queen's Park Cafe, 158 Queen's Park Road, Heywood OL10 4UY
- Route: This group often break out into 2 walking groups. One walk is a slightly more strenuous pace, typically through the Roch Valley. The other is a more mindful stroll through the park and surrounding meadows, stopping to take in the beautiful fauna and flora along the way. Each walk takes around 1 and a half hours.
Fridays
- Departure time: 10am
- Group: Syke Walk and Talk
- Departure Point: Syke Methodist Church, Syke Road, Rochdale OL12 9TW
- Route: Starting and finishing at Syke Methodist Church, this more advanced group typically break out into a number of walking groups of differing ability and speeds before heading up into the spectacular Syke moorland environment. Suitable footwear, clothing and water are a must. Depending upon the group, these walks can be several hours in duration.
- Low impact route: You can choose to take a low impact, shorter distance walking route option alongside the more challenging graded walks. These walks start and end at the same time and location as the other more challenging walks. You can still join the other walkers for a social and well deserved cup of tea afterwards.
- Departure time: 12noon
- Group: Lighthouse Project Walk
- Departure Point: please contact the Lighthouse Project on 0161 643 1163 for more information
- Route: Discover the hidden gems of Middleton, including Wince Brook, Hopwood, Boarshaw Clough and the surroundings. The walks are generally local and designed to be easy to do even for beginners. Walks usually take about 1 and a half hours.
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