Cheesden Valley: a ruined valley ramble near Manchester
A 7.5-mile circular walk through an unexpected pocket of wilderness in Greater Manchester, featuring mill ruins, chimney stacks, pubs, hidden waterfalls and a woodland tearoom just outside Rochdale
Start: Owd Betts lay-by, Edenfield Road, Greater Manchester
Distance: 7.5 miles
Elevation: 725 feet
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy (with some slippery sections in the colder months)
Navigation: Follow step-by-step on komoot or download GPX file
About the route
This circular walk begins at the lay-by near the historic Owd Betts pub and loops through the Cheesden Valley â an area rich in industrial heritage and natural beauty. Youâll descend into a wooded gorge, follow Cheesden Brook past the ruins of old mills and weirs, spot a dramatic chimney stack rising through the trees, and pass a tucked-away waterfall before climbing out of the valley to return via moorland paths and a tea stop near Norden.
This route started off as a spontaneous wander while in the area and it turned out to be one of my all-time favourite low-level walks. I wasnât expecting much from this one, but those walks often turn out to be the best, donât they?
Route difficulty
This is an easy to moderate walk with a mix of woodland trails, uneven valley paths, and field edges. Thereâs around 800 feet of elevation, with most of the climbing as you leave the valley mid-route. The paths are generally easy to follow but can be muddy, particularly after rain. Good boots are a must. While itâs low-level in terms of elevation, this is a proper walkânot a gentle parkland stroll.
| Walk type | Circular |
|---|---|
| Distance | 7.5 miles / 12 km |
| Time | 3.5â4 hours (plus stops) |
| Start/finish | Owd Betts lay-by, Edenfield Road |
| Terrain | Valley paths, woodland trails, moorland edge tracks |
| Difficulty | Moderate, with steeper/muddy sections |
| Good for | Unexpected views, industrial history, spontaneous adventures |
| Facilities | Pub, tearoom (limited hours), roadside parking |
Route highlights
Cheesden Lumb Mill: One of many atmospheric ruins along the brook â built in 1786 and now overgrown but still impressive..
Chimney stack: A tall, photogenic relic of Cheesdenâs industrial past, rising through the woods like something from a lost world.
Cheesden Brook & waterfall: Follow the water through the valley and keep an eye out for a waterfall tucked to the side of the trail.
Wildlife sightings: Keep an eye out for wild deer in the woodland near the tea garden (couldnât believe my eyes seeing wild deer just a few miles outside of Rochdale!).
Goats and alpacas: Keep your eyes peeled near the fields and enclosures for goats and alpacas (a highlight of the walk for me!).
Moorland views: As you climb back out of the valley, views open up toward Greater Manchester and beyond.
Millcroft Tea Garden: A beautiful, old-school tea room hidden away in the woodland â only open on Sundays (12pm-6pm).
Where is Cheesden Valley?
Cheesden Valley lies between Rochdale and Edenfield, within the Greater Manchester boundary but feeling far wilder than its postcode suggests. Itâs one of the best hidden-gem walks near Manchester â remote-feeling yet surprisingly accessible.
Things to do nearby
Visit Ashworth Moor Reservoir for a bonus short loop or picnic with a view.
Grab a post-walk pint at the Owd Betts pub (check opening times).
Tuck into tea and cake at Millcroft Tea Gardens (only open on Sundays, 12pm-6pm).
Explore more ruins by extending the route along other Cheesden Brook mill sites.
Is this walk suitable for beginners?
Absolutely, with some caveats. If youâre new to walking but happy to cover 7+ miles over a few hours, and donât mind mud or mild climbs, this route is for you. The terrain isnât difficult, but some parts can get super muddy, especially after heavy rain. Navigation is straightforward with a downloaded route.
Is the route dog-friendly?
Dogs are welcome throughout most of the route, including the trails and woodland. They must be kept on leads around livestock.
When is the best time to do this walk?
Spring/summer: Green woodland, flowing water, chance of deer sightings
Autumn: Gorgeous leaf colour and atmospheric light (save this one for autumn if you can!)
After rain: The waterfall is fuller, but the paths can be slippery
Avoid heavy downpours: It can get boggy and slow-going
How to extend your adventure
Add on Knowl Hill for extra views and more challenging elevation
Loop around Ashworth Moor Reservoir before or after the main route
Link to nearby moorland tracks if you want a longer day out
Visit the site of Deeply Vale Festival for a quirky local history detour
Getting to the starting point
By car: Park at the lay-by opposite the Owd Betts pub, Edenfield Road, OL12 7TY.
By public transport: Bus routes run from Rochdale and Bury, but youâll likely need to walk a short way from the nearest stop.
âď¸ Good to knows
Wear proper footwear the valley can get muddy, especially after rain
Millcroft Tea Gardens is only open on Sundays (12pm-6pm)
Bring a snack and water refreshment stops may be closed
Use a GPS route or Komoot navigation is mostly simple but a few turns can be missed
Dogs welcome on lead near livestock
Arrive early on weekends the lay-by is small and fills quickly
Mobile signal patchy download maps offline
Facilities: Pub at start/finish (check hours), tea room near Norden, no public toilets en route
đ§ Following the route
I use komoot and OS Maps for offline navigation. To follow this walk step-by-step on komoot, simply click this link here or download the GPX file and upload it to your chosen app, such as OS Maps.
