South Pennines Walk and Ride Festival starts tomorrow

South Pennines Walk and Ride Festival

Historical walks, challenging bike rides and an exploration of the moors and reservoirs in the Rochdale area are just some of the delights on offer in this year’s South Pennines Walk and Ride Festival.

“Walkers can join Mick Chatham for the Pioneers Round, a 20-mile hike around Rochdale District on Sunday, September 8. The walk was originally devised by Derek Magnall in 1994 to commemorate the first 150 years of the co-operative movement forming in Rochdale,” explained Sue Leffman, festival co-ordinator.

“If that sounds too strenuous for you, there’s a five mile walk exploring the moors above Rochdale taking place on Thursday, September 12. Walkers will be able to marvel at the 17 ft high and 1,000 ft long dam at the southern end of the Naden Valley reservoir, which drowned Greenbooth village in 1958,” Sue added.

With over 160 events taking place throughout the region during this year’s South Pennines Walk and Ride Festival, which starts this Saturday, September 7 and runs to Sunday, September 22 there will be something for everyone. The festival is managed by rural regeneration company, Pennine Prospects, and is now in its sixth year.

For those who enjoy a challenge and raising money for charity there is the Moor Power Mountain Bike Challenge, a tough 20-mile ride taking in the best of the South Pennines bridleways with lung busting climbs and exhilarating downhills. It will take place on Sunday, September 8 starting from Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough, and money raised will be in aid of Dementia UK. Registration before the day is required for this charity event and further details are available from the South Pennines Walk and Ride Festival website at www.walkandridefestival.co.uk

The following week cyclists wishing to explore the area’s moorland bridleways are invited to meet at Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre on Sunday, September 15, for a 15-mile intermediate instructor-led mountain bike ride.

And for those interested in the history of Littleborough there is the Historic Littleborough walk on Monday, September 16, an easy three mile walk taking in the Coach House and Heritage Centre, Hare Hill Park, the Town House, Carriage Drive and the Rochdale Canal.

This year’s festival is the biggest yet and has a wide variety of events from walks and bike rides to skills days and children’s story-telling. Most of the events are led by volunteer guides and organisers who have expert knowledge of the area and terrain. To find out more about all the events visit the festival website for full programme information at www.walkandridefestival.co.uk

Pennine Prospects was set up to champion the South Pennines; an area renowned for its natural beauty and wildlife, great people, quirky traditions and independent businesses. Funding for the Walk and Ride Festival is being made available through the South Pennines LEADER programme (the Rural Development Programme for England), which is jointly funded by Defra and the European Union, and managed by Pennine Prospects.