Bolton Walks - Near and Around
This large town in Greater Manchester has a number of local parks, several nearby reservoirs and some riverside trails to try.
This walk visits Queen's Park in the Gilnow area of the town. There's some nice footpaths here along the River Croal with flowerbeds, and a series of grade II listed statues on the central terrace, including one of former British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli. The park is located just to the north-west of Bolton town centre, near to the train station. To continue your walking in the town head north to visit Moss Bank Park and Smithills Country Park. Here you'll find miles of cycling and walking trails surrounding the 14th century Smithhills Hall. On the western edge of the town there's some peaceful woodland trails to be found at Doffcocker Lodge Nature Reserve.
Postcode
BL1 4RU - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsBolton Ordnance Survey Map 
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Bolton Open Street Map 
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Bolton OS Map 
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Bolton Open Street Map 
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Walks near Bolton
- Smithills Country Park - Enjoy 2000 acres of cycling and walking trails in this large country park in Bolton
- Doffcocker Lodge - This short circular walk explores the Doffcocker Lodge Nature Reserve in Bolton.
- Rivington Pike - This popular walk climbs to the Rivington Pike viewpoint in the lovely Rivington Country Park, near Bolton.
- Winter Hill - Enjoy a walk to Winter Hill on the West Pennine Moors in Lancashire
- Rivington Country Park - This lovely country park is on the edge of the West Penine Moors and makes for a fine afternoon's cycling with its reservoirs, woods and splendid scenery
- High Rid Reservoir - This small reservoir in Bolton is a nice place for an easy walk.
- Turton Tower - This walk visits a notable historical landmark near Bolton
- Bolton Rotary Way Footpath - Enjoy industrial heritage, reservoirs, historic estates, memorials and country parks on this circular walk around Bolton
- Jumbles Country Park - Enjoy a short stroll around Jumbles Reservoir in this pretty country park in Bolton
- Clifton Country Park - This country park and nature reserve is located between Bolton and Manchester in Salford
- Elton Reservoir - Enjoy an easy circular walk around this pretty reservoir in Bury
- Blackleach Country Park - This country park in Walkden has nice footpaths to follow around the lake and through woodland
- Moses Gate Country Park - This large country park in Bolton covers 750 acres and includes a number of splendid cycling and walking trails
- Outwood Trail - This cycling and walking trail runs along a disused railway line from Radcliffe to Prestwich
- Entwistle Reservoir - This circular walk follows the waterside footpath around Turton and Entwistle Reservoir near Bolton in Lancashire
- Wayoh Reservoir - Enjoy an easy circular walk around this pretty reservoir near Bolton
- Chorley Canal Walk - Enjoy a waterside walk from Chorley to Adlington along a pleasant section of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal
- Belmont Reservoir - This walk visits Ward's Reservoir and Belmont Reservoir on the West Pennine Moors.
Starts the walk from the car park on Rivington Road just to the west of the village of Belmont - Witton Weavers Way - This circular walk starts and finishes in Witton Park near Blackburn
- Doffcocker Lodge - This short circular walk explores the Doffcocker Lodge Nature Reserve in Bolton.
- Salford Trail - This circular walk explores the city of Salford on a long distance waymarked trail.
- Fishmoor Reservoir - This reservoir in Blackburn is a nice place for an easy stroll in the town.
- High Rid Reservoir - This small reservoir in Bolton is a nice place for an easy walk.
Pubs/Cafes
Queen's Park is a nice place to take your dog for a walk as is the nearby Smithills and the woodland at Doffcocker Lodge mentioned above.
Dog Walking
There's an on site cafe at Queen's Park where you can enjoy refreshments in a pleasant setting. If you fancy a pub then The Greyhound is located just east of the park. The friendly pub can be found at 146 Deansgate with a postcode of BL1 1BB for your sat navs.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
For more walking ideas in the area see the Greater Manchester Walks page.
Photos
Dobson Bridge, Queen's Park, Bolton
River Croal. Looking upstream (SW) by the banks of the Croal as it flows through Queen's Park, Bolton.
Photograph of the statue of Benjamin Disraeli in Queens Park
Bolton Town Hall. Very much in the tradition that saw proud confident northern industrial towns erect impressive civic buildings in Victorian times, Bolton's town hall was opened in 1873 by Edward, Prince of Wales - later to become Edward VII.
Smithills Hall 1
Raveden Brook nature trail near Smithills Hall
Fred Dibnah memorial. A lasting memorial for Fred in his home town but not everybody is convinced that it is a true likeness. The glass case behind contains a locally built preserved steam engine. Dibnah was an English steeplejack and television personality, starring in BBC documentaries.
Le Mans Crescent, Bolton. The eye catching crescent in the town centre, houses the Bolton Museum, library, health clinics, and courts, was built in 1932–39 to the designs of Bradshaw Gass and Hope.