Best walk from Rochdale

Rochdale Station to Littleborough Station

excellent views across the Pennines. A direct, mostly traffic-free canal walk: a short stretch of main road and degraded-tarmac path, then over 60% along the Rochdale Canal towpath running alongside the railway. The Sustrans path can be muddy and slightly overgrown and a few steps and a fairly steep slope lead down to the canal. Follows the Rochdale Canal and National Cycle Network Route 66. Smithy Bridge station is near the route, so it can be shortened. Clegg Hall, a restored old manor house with a row of old weavers' cottages, sits on the opposite bank.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

The Sustrans path can be muddy and overgrown, so good shoes and nettle protection are advised. A few steps at the canal access point mean it is not step-free.

Littleborough is a pleasant market town with plenty of cafes.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route