Rivington Pike, Winter Hill, Belmont. 11-12 miles Moderate

Join me for a walk from Rivington Gardens to Belmont and back via Winter Hill. Rivington is near Horwich and north of Bolton. We start by exploring the restored Rivington Park gardens on a wooded hillside. We then climb to Rivington Pike and Winter Hill. Next we descend to the village of Belmont before returning via Lead Mine Clough and Rivington reservoir.

The lovely Great House Barn Tea Room is near the start point and opens at 10.00 am if you fancy a tea/coffee before starting. There are also toilets at the start in the nearby visitor centre.

We will start the walk at 10.30.

The climb from Rivington Pike to Winter Hill is over rough moorland which can be uneven and boggy.

Meeting point
As indicated in the location section

Public transport
The nearest railway station at Blackrod is a one hour walk from the start point. You can get a bus from Bolton Interchange but it's also approx a 1 hour journey.

Dogs
Well behaved dogs are welcome on the walk. There will likely be livestock on parts of the walk and dogs must be on leads here.

What to bring
Please bring snacks, water and appropriate clothing/footwear for the weather and terrain.

DISCLAIMER

Please acknowledge the following:

The walk is entirely free of charge. You only arrange for your own travel and pub expenses.
Understand our terms and conditions below (the "IMPORTANT" part).
Understand how to stay safe outdoors, as you will be responsible for yourself.
Walk distances can be up to 15 miles or more and we can be out for as long as 5-7 hours.
We usually stop for a packed lunch and pop in to a country pub for a post or mid-hike drink.

Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section!

Here's a guide to our difficulty rating:

Easy - Short distance, less than ten miles and mostly flat. Suitable for anyone capable of a brisk stroll.

Moderately Easy - Shortish distance, around ten miles, some gentle hills. For those who walk regularly but don't have too much hiking experience.

Moderate - Between ten and twelve miles, a few decent hills with potentially steep sections. For those with some hiking experience.

Moderately Challenging - Longer distance, twelve miles or over with lots of hills. Suitable for hikers who enjoy being out for most of the day.

Challenging - Around fifteen miles or more, with hills, mountains and maybe the odd scramble. For experienced hikers who like pushing themselves.

Hard - Long distance, sometimes over twenty miles, with mountains and difficult terrain. Only suitable for fit, experienced hikers.

IMPORTANT
Please bear in mind this is a free of charge, self-guided trip with a hobby group. It is not organised by a business nor any entity with commercial purposes. Any trip details, travel advice, route planning, instructions and other content in our group merely represent our shared personal knowledge, research and suggestions as outdoor enthusiasts. As this is not a business, there is no "product", "service" or "package" and also no "tour guide", "operator" or "walk leader". Each participant is responsible for their own safety. Even if some of us are very experienced walking outdoors, nobody assumes responsibility for any kind of injury, damage or loss that may happen. Our experienced members volunteer their time and effort to shape a pleasant and quality adventure for everyone. By participating you acknowledge and agree with this disclaimer.