New long-distance walking trail that passes through Rochdale gets the go-ahead

Rochdale residents will be able to enjoy a new long-distance trail on their doorstep, thanks to National Lottery players.

The countryside charity, CPRE, together with The Ramblers, Britain’s walking charity, have been awarded a £250,000 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to establish the ‘GM Ringway’ – the new long-distance walking trail for Greater Manchester that connects Rochdale with the other nine boroughs of the city-region.

Designed around existing footpaths, parks and open-access land, the three Rochdale stages feature arguably some of the most dramatic scenery along the whole GM Ringway route.

The Rochdale stages 10, 11 and 12 start at Newhey, going via Littleborough to Norden and finish in Bury Town Centre taking in hills, valleys, a lake and a country park.

Highlights include:

• Rochdale Canal in Littleborough
• A riverside walk in Healey Dell Nature Reserve
• 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

You can view the three stages here.

• Stage 10: Newhey to Littleborough www.plotaroute.com/route/1133594
• Stage 11: Littleborough to Norden www.plotaroute.com/route/1560428
• Stage 12: Norden to Bury www.plotaroute.com/route/1800633

Green in every way, all 20 stages of the entire 186-mile (300-km) route are designed to be accessed by public transport. The trail also guides walkers through 57 conservation areas, nine sites of special scientific interest, 18 local nature reserves and parts of the Peak District National Park.

The Heritage Fund grant will enable signposting and an improved app and website to be established so that a wide range of people, including less experienced walkers, can enjoy the trail. It will also support the organisation of community events across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester. Once the trail is fully established, it’s estimated that at least 30,000 people will walk part of the route every year.

A GM Ringway ‘trail passport’ will also be developed which, it is hoped, will not only allow walkers to mark their progress on the route but also offer discounts to visitor attractions and pubs, cafés and hotels along the way.

A network of at least 200 volunteer ‘footpath guardians’ will be recruited across the region and trained to help signpost the route, get involved in community events, and manage the trail long-term. As a key project aim is to open up the benefits of walking, nature and heritage to a wider range of people, the project team aims to cooperate on activities with community groups across Greater Manchester.

 

 

Andrew Read, GM Ringway Project Lead, said: “The Rochdale stages of the GM Ringway offer an adventurous route with spectacular scenery. Our core aim is to connect even more people with our local nature and heritage. We know there are proven health benefits that come from moving more and from spending time in nature.

“We’re particularly keen to enable those currently under-represented in the walking community to enjoy Greater Manchester’s incredible landscapes and heritage sites, especially those living in deprived areas, young people, those with disabilities or long-term health conditions, and different ethnic and faith groups. We believe that, as people explore Greater Manchester’s rich landscapes and history, it will increase their appreciation of and pride in their local area.”

Debbie McConnell, Chair of CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester, said: “The GM Ringway project is truly innovative and could act as a blueprint for other city-regions. Here in the north west, we’re fortunate to have a wealth of heritage and natural beauty on our doorstep and we want more people to get out and discover it.

“We’ve already had an enthusiastic response from residents, community groups and official bodies. This inspiring initiative will get a wider range of people involved in heritage, give the local economy a boost, and promote personal wellbeing. And with its intrinsic focus on active travel and public transport, the route should be easy for local residents to access, as well as being positive for the environment.

“Thanks to players of the National Lottery, the GM Ringway walking trail will make Greater Manchester an even better place to live.”

Margaret Manning, Chair of Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Ramblers, said: “The grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund is just fantastic as it will enable us to make the GM Ringway project a reality, which is so exciting.

“The GM Ringway will open up opportunities to collaborate with local community groups, charities and partners in the health, heritage and environmental sectors on trail-related events and activities. We also hope heritage sites and hospitality businesses will benefit as visitors discover them on foot.

“The grant will allow us to establish this wonderful trail as a long-term asset for the region.”

For more information and news on the GM Ringway, including route maps, visit GMRingway.org.