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Spring 2020Take a walk in Ashworth Valley

Keen photographer and walker Ste Walton  takes us on another tour of his favourite place  in Rochdale.

This walking route follows public footpaths and country roads through a part of Ashworth Valley, following Cheesden Brook and Naden Brook.

The duration of the walk is about one hour and 30 minutes, and the difficulty is easy/medium.

The route can be muddy and slippery in parts, so walking boots or good footwear are a must.

It is a popular route with dog walkers, but I would advise keeping dogs on a lead because there are some steep drops down into the Cheesden Valley along the first and third sections of the walk. There are also steep drops into the Naden Valley along the last section.

If you like watching or taking pictures of birds, you will love this walk. 

There is car parking available on Saturdays and Sundays at Simpson Clough Paper Mill on Ashworth Road, close to the junction of Bury & Rochdale Old Road, or during the week, there is a lay-by after the paper mill going up Ashworth Road.

Begin by walking up Ashworth Road, away from Bury & Rochdale Old Road.

There is a public footpath on the left-hand side of Ashworth Road, about 200 yards after the paper mill. It is marked with a wooden public footpath sign and a white sign warning of steep cliffs.

The path will take you up through the woods and into a big field above Simpson Clough.

Continue through the field along the path and eventually you will reach a kissing gate. Go through the gate, continuing along the path, and be careful of the steep drop on your right.

Eventually you will reach a fork  in the footpath; take the right-hand fork and begin dropping down into the valley.

Stay on the path until you come to the steel bridge in Dobb Wood.

Cross over the bridge and  take the path that leads you up and out of the valley into  another field.

Stay with the path until you reach a gate and stile.

If the gate is closed, go over the stile onto Ashworth Road, turn left and you will pass through the hamlet of Ashworth Fold. 

You will find a public footpath signposted to the right near the other end of the hamlet.

Turn right along that lane and follow the path down into Carr Wood. 
 
Follow the path to the right and stay on it until you reach the gate in Gelder Wood.

Go through the gate into the caravan park and back out onto Ashworth Road, turn left and you will end up back where you started.

If you fancy a pint or a brew afterwards and a bite to eat, head to the Hare & Hounds, 865 Bury Road, Bamford, Rochdale, OL11 4AA. It is open 7 days a week with food served from 12noon every day.