Pennine Bridleway

Type:Walking Route

Watergrove Reservoir, Wardle Road, Wardle, Greater Manchester, OL12 9EN

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Tel+44 (0)1706 924928

Signpost and gate on the Pennine Bridleway.

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About

The Pennine Bridleway is the country's first National Trail for horse riders, mountain bikers, and walkers, and it passes through the rugged Pennine hills near Littleborough. Passing through the Peak District, the South Pennines and into North Yorkshire and Cumbria it will is a landmark national long distance route for walkers, horse riders and cyclists from all over the region and beyond.

Well maintained and well signposted tracks, many on old packhorse routes from the days before railways and tarred roads, give a great traffic-free route through this rugged part of Rochdale borough. There are link routes which can be joined together to make circular rides for a day or half a day, or you can follow the Mary Towneley Loop, a 47 mile circular section of the Bridleway, for a three day adventure.

The Loop can be joined at Watergrove Reservoir above Wardle, near Littleborough. As with all reservoirs in Rochdale, Watergrove was built high in the hills and gives spectacular views across the whole area, from the Yorkshire border to the centre of Manchester and the Cheshire Plain.

Facilities

Other

  • Free Parking

Accessibility

  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors

Attraction Facilities

  • Free Admission

Parking & Transport

  • On site parking
  • Parking (free)

Provider Facilities

  • Toilets - Not 24 hours.

Provider Features

  • In countryside
  • Outdoor Attraction

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Follow the A58 Rochdale to Littleborough road. 1.5 miles from Rochdale, 2.5 miles from Littleborough. At a mini roundabout, take Wardle Road to Wardle village. Drive through the village along Ramsden Road and follow signs to Watergrove's car park.

Public Transport Directions

Bus service 456 connects Rochdale bus station with Wardle village. Service 458 connects Rochdale with Wardle and Littleborough. Nearest rail station is Littleborough. 0871-200-2233 for timetable information.

What's Nearby

  1. In Victorian times Hollingworth Lake was known as the "The Weighvers' Seaport".

    0.95 miles away
  2. First opened in 1804, the Rochdale Canal was the first trans-Pennine canal and one of the…

    0.97 miles away
  3. Milnrow Memorial Park was created in 1952, and was built on the site of Cliffe House.

    1.27 miles away
  1. High in the Pennines above Wardle village, the area around Watergrove Reservoir includes…

    1.31 miles away
  2. Built in 1892 on the banks of the River Beal, the Ellenroad cotton mill produced fine…

    1.39 miles away
  3. A Grade 2 Listed building of architectural and historical interest within an important…

    1.76 miles away
  4. 2 miles from Newhey, the 6 reservoirs in the Piethorne Valley are surrounded by open…

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  5. Explore the fascinating history of firefighting in Greater Manchester.

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  6. Hare Hill Park in Littleborough is a traditional Victorian Park with many original…

    1.91 miles away
  7. Described as one of Rochdale's hidden gems the church has a beautiful, recently restored…

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  8. Built as a chapel-of-ease to St Chad's Rochdale in 1742 it was consecrated by the Bishop…

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  9. Explore the newly restored town hall from Spring 2024 with lots to see and do, from tours…

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  10. The Rochdale Pioneers Museum is widely regarded as the home of the worldwide Co-operative…

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  11. The restored Rochdale Memorial Gardens provide a quality public green space in the heart…

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  12. There has been a church on the hill overlooking Rochdale Town Centre for well over 1,000…

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  13. Cronkeyshaw Common is a beautiful green space characterised by large areas of open…

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