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Ashworth Valley

5 miles (8 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This circular walk explores the Ashworth Valley area of Rochdale. On the route you'll enjoy riverside paths, woodland trails, attractive countryside and hill climbs with fine views over Manchester.
The walk starts in Norden on the western fringes of Rochdale. Here you can pick up the Rochdale Way and follow it south along the Naden Brook through Ashworth Wood. You continue through Carr Wood where you will pass a pretty waterfall and lots of bluebells in the spring.
The route continues south through Gelder Wood and Bamford Wood before coming to Simpson Clough. Here you turn north west to follow the pretty Cheesden Brook to Heywood's Farm and Greengate Hill. This section climbs high above the valley to expose you to some fine, far reaching views over the surrounding area.
At Greengate Hill the route then turns east along the Rochdale Way to return you to Norden where the walk finishes.
It's easy to extend the walk if you have time. You could head a short distance north of Norden to visit Greenbooth Reservoir or follow the Rochdale Way north west to Ashworth Moor Reservoir. Here you'll find the 18th century Owd Betts pub which is a great place for refreshments after your walk.

Ashworth Valley OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Ashworth Valley Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

On the walk you could enjoy a pit stop at the Brew Box at The Stables. They sell Coffees and teas, cold drinks, snacks and other refreshments. They are open Fri-Sun 9am-2pm and are right by the waterfall on Waterloo Farm with postcode OL11 5UT for your sat navs.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

For a longer circular walk in the area see the Cheesden Valley Walk. This starts from Ashworth Reservoir and explores the Cheesden Brook and the photogenic ruins of the old Lumb Mill.

Photos

Naden Brook - geograph.org.uk - 1659974

Naden Brook passing through Norden. Taken just South of The A680 Edenfield Road

Shepherd Mill Bridge and Naden Brook, Norden - geograph.org.uk - 1659992

Shepherd Mill Bridge and Naden Brook, Norden. Shepherd Mill Bridge carries the busy A680 Edenfield Road over Naden Brook at Norden. This view was taken from the west bank of the brook

Naden Brook

Waterfall at Carr Wood.

Ashworth Fold - geograph.org.uk - 1080863

Ashworth Fold. A picturesque corner of this small hamlet on Ashworth Road between the Naden Brook and Cheesden Brook valleys.

Ashworth Valley Woods - geograph.org.uk - 431465

 Ashworth Valley Woods. After heavy rain the bluebells seem fresher than ever!

Cheesden Brook - geograph.org.uk - 68562

Cheesden Brook. Looking down towards Castleton and Rochdale, Cheesden Brook carves its path off the hills towards the river Roch.

Cheesden Brook - geograph.org.uk - 813579

Cheesden Brook

Doctor Dam, Norden near Rochdale, Lancashire - geograph.org.uk - 39565

Doctor Dam, Norden near Rochdale, Lancashire

GPS Files

GPX File

Ashworth Valley.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Ashworth Valley.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)