If you are a keen cyclist, runner or even just a fan of the outdoors, it is hard to ignore how well located Manchester is. There are just so many options. To the south and west you’ll find the flatter terrain of Cheshire, while to the north and east is The Peak District and general Pennine hills. On this trip, I’d be visiting a friend, who lives around twenty miles to the north of the city. We ended up enjoying a great afternoon and a good walk in the hills near Manchester. Hopefully this article will show you what you’re missing if you haven’t already been yourself.
The Route
The maps below hopefully give you a good idea about the circular route and where exactly in the Pennines you will find yourself.
Route Statistics
Distance: 4.41 miles
Elevation Gain: 682 feet
Number of Steps: 9,314
People passed on the walk: About seven.
Leg One- From Summit To The Pennine Way
We started the walk at my mate Jack’s house, who just so happens to live in a small hamlet called Summit. Despite the name, you won’t suffer with altitude sickness or need special mountain equipment. In reality it’s just a collection of houses and pub located on the top of a hill near Littleborough. I mentioned the pub, because I reckon that’s a handy place to start and finish the walk. What better than to treat yourself with a pint, glass of wine and even some pub grub at the end. We would have done this very thing if it wasn’t for Jack living about ten doors down.
The map above shows how you’ll pass over the Rochdale Canal and then follow a path uphill towards The Pennine Way. Almost all of your elevation gain is completed here, when the legs are fresh. They might not be so much by the time you reach the highest point of the day, but at least the hard work is mostly done by that point.
What I loved with this early climbing was how the sounds of the cars disappeared and the views started to open up. The burn in the legs and the lungs was also great. Perhaps I’m just a bit mad in that arena though.
The Views
We were lucky to be blessed with excellent weather conditions. It was pretty blowy higher up, but the views stretched for miles. Looking down on all the distant skyscrapers in Manchester was particularly enjoyable and Jack pointed out how he sometimes commutes to work in the city by following The Rochdale Canal all the way in. What a great way to start and end each working day! Click here to find out more about the canal and what you can discover along the way.
Looking west provided some excellent vistas as well. The wind farm was being put through its paces on the day we walked and the sky was so clear that we were even able to spot the most northerly mountains of Snowdonia right off in the distance. Sadly, I don’t think my camera was quite as strong as my eyes.
The Highest Ground
I’ve got a mix of Stevie Wonder and Chillie Peppers playing in my head with that subheading. I am of course referring to you joining the most significant path on this good walk in the hills near Manchester- The Pennine Way.
Because you are reading this, there is a good chance you know all about this amazing 268 mile route. I won’t tell you too much more about it for that reason. If you’d like to know more, then feel free to check out this great website. It’ll maybe put some fire in the belly in getting out there and completing all or at least some of it yourself.
I won’t lie and say that this stretch of The Pennine Way is the most scenic. It isn’t and there are far more dramatic stretches along its route. In truth it is bleak, windswept and pretty lonely. I know it seems like I’m not selling this route in the best way, but the moorland up here still holds a certain appeal.
You can forget about the hustle and bustle of life with the sound of birds replacing cars and people. Medicine for the soul in my eyes. You also pass a couple of reservoirs along the way too.
Heading Down
After passing Warland Reservoir, you then turn left onto a clear path and head back towards civilization. It isn’t too long until you pass a couple of farms and you should see these as your warning for the fact that things could become a little boggy underfoot. We certainly found this to be the case, even after a lengthy dry spell in the area.
Soon enough you’ll reach the Rochdale Canal once more and it is a case of simply following this south until you reach the bridge that you crossed right near the start. Your legs may be a little tired and your tummy a little more empty. Perhaps this is the time to head into the pub we spoke about nearer top of this article. You will have earned it I reckon.
