Guided walks in Rochdale borough

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
- Please wear a face mask, if possible
- Please don’t attend if you or anyone else in your household has tested positive for COVID-19 or is showing symptoms
- 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

Receive an email about new guided walks each month

You can receive an email each month about new guided walks available from Link4Life which are suitable for all ages and abilities, held on different mornings, afternoons and weekends and showcase a selection of routes in Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and the Pennines.

The email you receive will include information about all the walks available in the next month, including the dates, times, lengths, routes and how to join.

 - Email activ8me@link4life.org to receive an email about new guided walks every month

Volunteer as a walk leader

Would you like to lead any of the regular guided walks below? We’re looking for volunteers to help lead and organise the walks we offer across the borough. You’ll need to be aged 18 or over.

All volunteers need to attend our one day ‘Volunteer Walk Leaders’ course before leading a group. Further ongoing support is available from our health walks co-ordinator. The free courses are also open to people wishing to lead health walks within their own community group.

For more information, please contact danny.smith@biglifecentres.com

Regular guided walks

Here are some regular guided walks you can join. They’re run each week by The Big Life Group.

Hollin and Hopwood Woods, Middleton
Days and times: Mondays 9.30am-10am and 10.30am-11.45am
Meeting location: Hollin EMB office, Nowell Road, Hollin Shopping Precinct, Hollin, Middleton M24 6FL
Details: there’s a FREE car park at Hollin EMB office and bus stop close by.
How to join: ring 01706 751190 to join this walk

Syke Circular Walk, Rochdale
Days and times: Mondays 1pm-3pm and Fridays 10am-12noon
Meeting location: Syke Methodist Church, Syke Road, Rochdale OL12 9TF
Details: this particular walk is quite long at 2 hours with more hills than our usual walks. Toilets are available.
How to join: ring 01706 751190 to join this walk

Cutgate, Bamford and Norden, Rochdale
Days and times: Tuesdays 10am-12noon
Meeting location: Edenfield Road Surgery, Cutgate Shopping Precinct, Edenfield Road, Cutgate, Rochdale OL11 5AQ
Details: this is a slower pace walking group. There’s FREE car parking and bus stops in front of Edenfield Road Surgery.
How to join: ring 01706 751190 to join this walk

Castleton Community Centre, Rochdale
Days and times: Wednesdays 10am-11am
Meeting location: rear of Castleton Community Centre, Manchester Road, Castleton
Details: there’s FREE parking at the rear of Castleton Community Centre. The walks follows the Canal towpath around Castleton. Toilets are available.
How to join: ring 01706 751190 to join this walk

Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough
Days and times: Wednesdays 2pm-4pm
Meeting location: in front of Hollingworth Lake Visitors Centre, Littleborough M1 1HW
Details: this walk is a little quicker than our other walks and uses the surrounding hills and moors. Pay and display car parking, toilets and cafe available.
How to join: ring 01706 751190 to join this walk

Roch Valley or Crimble Circular, Heywood
Days and times: Thursdays 10am-11am
Meeting location: in front of Queen's Park Cafe, Queen's Park Road, Heywood OL10 4UY
Details: 2 groups running at the same time. Choose to join the walk through Roch Valley or through the Crimble. Both groups meet up in at Queen’s Park Cafe afterwards. Toilet facilities, refreshments and children’s play area available in the park.
How to join: ring 01706 751190 to join this walk

Smallbridge Clinic Circular, Rochdale
Days and times: Thursdays 10.30am-11.30am
Meeting location: inside Smallbridge Clinic, Steven’s Square, Smallbridge, Rochdale OL12 9SA
Details: walk around various track and pavement routes which are suitable for prams. Toilets available in the clinic.
How to join: ring 01706 751190 to join this walk

Alkrington Woods, Middleton
Days and times: Fridays 10am-11am
Meeting location: outside Comple@t Internet Cafe, Midway House, (next to Tesco), Middleton Centre M24 1AF
Details: walk through Alkrington Woods and back. When the weather is dry, the walk is suitable for prams.
How to join: ring 01706 751190 to join this walk