WINTER HILL AND RIVINGTON PIKE CIRCULAR

Enjoy this short ascent up to two iconic Lancashire landmarks

Start: Rivington Hall Car Park, Bolton, BL6 7SD

Distance: 6.15 miles

Duration: 2-3 hours

Elevation: 1,300 feet

Navigation: follow our route here

This Lancashire walk takes you to two incredible viewpoints in one route. You begin your ascent up to Winter Hill via Rivington Country Park, taking you 1,496 feet high up to the summit.

While there are a variety of routes to choose from, our favourite is this 6 mile walk which takes in arguable the best views and scenery across Bolton, Wigan and the West Pennines Moors.

After a brisk hike from Rivington Pike you'll soon approach Winter Hill, which reaches an elevation of 1,496 feet. The views from here are nothing short of breathtaking, especially during the winter months when the landscape is adorned with a pristine layer of snow. The panoramic vista extends as far as the eye can see, with the city of Manchester on one side and the rolling hills of Lancashire on the other.

What is Winter Hill?

After reaching the almost dystopian summit of Winter Hill, you may be left thinking “what on earth is this place?”. I know we certainly were.

While the reality of Winter Hill is a little less glamorous than my imagination led me to believe, the transmitting station is a working broadcasting and telecommunications site and is responsible for bringing you all your favourite local TV channels.

Rivington

Just over the border between Greater Manchester and Lancashire, Rivington is a magical landscape where mysterious ruins are nestled between magnificent reservoirs, moor tops and woodland aplenty.

It’s a place that’s packed with wholesome things to do, whether that’s exploring Rivington Terraced Gardens or going on an aerial adventure at Go Ape. The area is so stunning it was even dubbed "the Little Lake District” by the Victorians.

good-to-knows

amenities

• The pike snack shack

You’ll pass this quaint little coffee shop at the base of Rivington Pike, offering a selection of hot and cold beverages and snacks.

Location: Rivington Pike Cottage, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 6RU

• The Tea Room at Rivington

For a delightful cup of tea and some light bites, visit "The Tea Room at Rivington," nestled in a picturesque spot near Rivington Hall Barn.

Location: Rivington Hall Barn, Rivington Lane, Rivington, Bolton, BL6 7SB

• The Rivington PUB and grill

Before or after your hike, stop by "The Rivington," a charming pub near Rivington Pike known for its cosy atmosphere and hearty fare.

Location: Rivington Lane, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 7SB

• GO APE

Located close to Bolton and only 30-minutes from Manchester, Go Ape Rivington features exhilarating 13-metre-high platforms, beautiful country views and a zip wire over the reservoir.

Location: Great House Barn, Rivington, Horwich, BL6 7SB

Parking Options

Rivington Pike Car Park

Location: Rivington Pike Car Park, Rivington Lane, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 7SB

Public Transport

If you prefer or require to travel via public transport, you can reach Rivington Pike and Winter Hill by bus or train:

Bus:

• The 125 and 575 bus routes have stops near Rivington Pike.

• Check the latest bus schedules and routes to plan your journey.

Train:

• Take a train to Horwich Parkway station.

• From there, you can catch a bus or even walk to Rivington Pike.

Fancy giving it a go? Follow our route here

PENDLE HILL: A CHARMING WALK FROM WHEATLEY

Witch way to Pendle? Take our enchanting route up to Pendle Hill and walk where witches once roamed…

Start: Wheatley Lane, Lancashire (we parked in a roadside bay)

Distance: 6.73 miles

Elevation: 1,600 feet

Duration: approx. 3 hours

Navigation: follow our route here

Lancashire is full of beautiful walks but one of our favourites is this route that takes you up to Pendle Hill. Located in a small village called Barley, you could easily spend the day learning about it’s history and venturing up the hill to see the beautiful surroundings.

Pendle Hill is one of the area’s most impressive landmarks – you can see it for miles. It looks steep, and while it will have you huffing and puffing a little, the effort is 100% worth it! Known for its eerie history and ties to the infamous Pendle Witches, this trail promises a bewitching adventure, alongside some proper pub grub to ground you back to earth on your descent.

Ready to delve into the spooky legends, hike through hauntingly beautiful landscapes, and uncover the dark secrets that shroud this mystical destination?

Let’s dive in…

As you ascend from Wheatley Lane, the landscape transforms into the mesmerizing Forest of Bowland. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers a myriad of trails to explore, each revealing its own unique treasures. Stroll through ancient woodlands, breathe in the fresh scent of pine trees, and keep an eye out for native wildlife that calls this area home.

Pendle Hill

Pendle Hill is famous for a number of reasons. Not only is it an isolated extension of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and amazing pendle walks, but it gained notoriety in the 17th century because of a group of witches that became infamous across the country. The Pendle witches, who were tried in nearby Lancaster, were part of the wider English witch trials which saw 500 people executed between the 15th and 18th centuries. The Pendle witches were so infamous in part because they made up a full ten of these executions. It’s believed that many were the cause of two feuding families, combined with a number involved actually believing their guilt.

Their legacy has remained throughout the area. The Pendle Hill is now known both for its beauty and its links to witchcraft. The area has two walks of note that take in both aspects of this, the Pendle Hill walk from Barley and the Pendle Hill witches walk.

This mysterious brooding landmark will forever be associated with the Pendle Witches, but the hill was also the subject of religious inspiration. In 1652 George Fox climbed Pendle Hill and had a vision on the hill which inspired him to found the Quaker movement. Its summit, known as "The Big End," is the site of a Bronze Age burial mound.

And at just 51 metres short of being considered a mountain, you can certainly get your cardio in on this route. In fact, Pendle Hill is the highest point in the Ribble Valley. Measuring 557 metres, the hill boasts spectacular views over the Lancashire countryside and across to Yorkshire. You can even see as far as Wales on a clear day! From the summit, take in the panoramic views that stretch across Lancashire, rewarding you for your efforts.

Points of interest:

The Cauldron: A Charming Pop-up Tea Room

Descend from Pendle Hill and follow the trail until you reach the delightful pop-up tea room known as The Cauldron. Nestled amidst the natural beauty of the countryside, this hidden gem offers a perfect spot to relax and refuel. Sip on a steaming cup of tea, indulge in homemade treats, and immerse yourself in the tranquil ambiance before continuing your journey.

Barley: Pubs, Pints, and Perfection

Finally, our walk leads us to the charming village of Barley, where good food and drink await. While you’re spoilt for choice with ‘proper’ pubs in this area, our favourite is The Barley Mow. This traditional pub serves up a delectable array of dishes, but their salt and pepper chips are a true highlight.

Options to extend the route:

Pendle Hill is a highlight of the 45-mile Pendle Way – a circular walk which passes through the stunning Lancashire countryside, passing waterfalls, ancient churches and adorable villages. It’s also a feature of the 43-mile Bronte Way – another popular route which takes in lots of famous spots from the Brontë family’s life. So if you’re looking for a long distance trail to complete over a few days, this is a great spot to do it.

Fancy walking where witches once roamed? Follow our route here