Walk Leader: Stephen Martin

Number on walk: 4

Distance: 23 miles

Weather: Dry warm day

GM Ringway Day 6 (23 Miles) Norden to Bromley Cross 3,556 feet Ascent

On a dry warm day four of us set off at 8.50am from Norden, walking up the Norden Valley passed the chain of reservoirs to Knowl Moor gaining around 850 feet in 2.5 miles. The views from here where fantastic. A nice decent down brought us to Ashworth Moor reservoir and into the Cheesden Valley, past the remains of the Cheesden Lumb Mill. A slight climb out of the valley brought us to Birtle village. After using the M66 –underpass we stopped for lunch at Lowes Park Golf Cub, unfortunately the bar was closed but the toilets we open. After a short lunch stop we were soon into Burrs Country Park, criss-crossing the East Lancs Railway. We did hear and spot the steam train on a couple of occasions but too late with the camera. At this stage the temperature was over 27 degrees and with a climb up to Peel Tower ahead of us, we took the opportunity for a refreshing cold drink at the Hare and Hounds public house. After a few photo opportunities up on Holcome, a nice decent and a short climb brought us to Affetside and it’s Roman Cross. After further welcome decent we arrived a Jumble Country Park and a lap of the reservoir finally led four tied and thirsty walkers back to the car park arriving just after 6pm.

Highlights include:
– Views over the chain of reservoirs in the Naden valley .
– Knowl Hill , topped by its wind farm, with panoramic views sometimes extending all
the way to Snowdonia
– The remote Cheesden Valley , featuring waterfalls and evocative industrial remains
– Birtle village with its pretty cottages, church and two fine pubs
– Chesham Woods , a lovely area of mixed woodland on the edge of Bury
– Burrs Country Park , featuring dramatic sculptures, riverside paths and passing
steam trains
– Riverside walking along the Irwell with views, if you’re lucky, of passing steam
trains on the East Lancashire Railway
– The delightful Holcombe Brook in its narrow tree-lined valley
– A gradual ascent of Holcombe Hill , offering stunning views across the West
Pennines and Manchester
– Semi-ancient woodlands and a waterfall in Redisher Woods
– Affetside village with its ancient cross and hilltop location on a Roman road
– A circuit of Jumbles Reservoir and Country Park .

Stephen Martin
Walk leader