Gearing up for Walk and Ride Festival

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The fifth annual Walk and Ride Festival will make its way through Rochdale this September.

Keen walkers, cyclists and horse riders are invited to enjoy the splendour of the Littleborough and Hollingworth Lake area as part of the South Pennines event.

Whether you’re looking for a quiet stroll or something a little more challenging, the festival offers routes around some of Rochdale’s most scenic locations; from the Hollingworth Lake Circular Trail to Watergrove Skyline.

The Walk and Ride Festival boasts over 100 walking and riding routes throughout the South Pennines, running from 8 September until 23 September. The 16-day event, organised by rural regeneration company Pennine Prospects, launches in Uppermill and Shaw on 8 and 9 September, before making its way through some of the regions most stunning landscapes.

Along the way, the festival hopes to introduce people to a wealth of local businesses, including many local breweries producing prize-winning real ales, superb tea rooms and cafes, pubs and restaurants with locally-sourced produce catering for every taste and budget and fantastic places to stay.

Mark Turner, director of Pennine Prospects, said: “On behalf of Pennine Prospects I’d like to thank all the wonderful volunteers who have such a passion for their local area and work so hard to make this one of the best outdoor festivals in the country.”

As part of the festival there will be a chance to enthusiasts to learn new skills, from trial bike stunt riding to exploration with map and compass; and from family cycling adventures to the chance to develop mountain biking skills.

Families can also explore the area using satellite technology through geocaching, find out about sustainable food production along Incredible Edible Todmorden’s green route, or discover the wildlife, birds and peat-land habitat of the uplands.

Walkers will also be able to stroll round Roman remains, visit Lancashire’s old textile mills and embrace the local art and literature scene.

For more information about the festival and routes through Littleborough and Hollingworth Lake, visit www.walkandridefestival.co.uk

Walk & Ride Festival local events