Manchester Weekend Walkers lead public transport walks into fantastic countryside all year round.
Train based walk
Leader: Matthew
Meet Point: Near the ticket barriers, or on the platform at Piccadilly Station. Alternatively, meet the group on the train, or at the Walk Start at Hadfield station.
Transport to Walk Start: The 09:02 service from Manchester Piccadilly (platform 14) to Blackrod (final destination is Backpool North)
Suggested Ticket: The GM Wayfarer ticket, at £17.40, will cover this. However, it may not be the cheapest option. Check for 2 singles from Manchester to Blackrod and from Entwistle to Manchester
Walk Start: Blackrod Railway Station at 09:35
Waypoints: Blackrod Railway Station, The River Douglas, Jepson’s Bridge, Higher Derbyshires, The Japanese Garden, Rivington Tower, Winter Hill, The Black Dog (Belmont), Lower Whittaker, Great Robert Hill, Hole Bottoms, Dimple, The Turton Heights, Green’s Arms Road, Turton & Entwistle Reservoir, The Strawbury Duck (Entwistle)
Return Services: From Entwistle Railway Station, services run direct to Manchester Victoria at x:03 minutes past the hour till late, taking about 35 minutes. Anyone who requires services to Piccadilly can change at Salford Crescent.
Extra: Please use the toilet on the train. No toilets at walk start. The Black Dog pub in Belmont is the likely lunch stop and has toilets to use. Optional drinks at the end of the walk. Please do not bring your dog (apart from assistance dogs).:
This route is part of a series of routes that link up to encircle Manchester, see www.roundmanchesterhikingtrail.co.uk for further details (this is Stage 6).
The walk starts off gently, going through housing areas and then streams. Then there is a very steep climb that takes us through some great sites, including a beautiful Japanese garden, until we get to Rivington Tower. Then we cross boggy moorland to get to the summit of Winter Hill/ After this we have great views of Belmont Reservoir, with its two islands. Once we get to Belmont itself there is a chance to have a quick pint in the Black Dog. After Belmont we climb again to Great Roberts Hill and then go through wooded areas and streams to a place called Dimple, where we cross a main road and head up to the beautiful Turton Heights before descending to the equally beautiful Turton and Entwistle Reservoir, before we finish the walk at the Strawbury Duck, next to Entwistle Railway Station.
