The best cycling routes around Rochdale

Rochdale offers a wide variety of touring cycling routes, with over 140 options available. These routes cater to different skill levels, including 39 easy, 61 moderate, and 44 difficult trails, ensuring there's something for every cyclist.

Yes, Rochdale has numerous easy touring cycling routes perfect for beginners and families. The Hollingworth Lake – Rochdale Canal loop from Rochdale offers a moderate ride that combines scenic lake views with sections along the historic Rochdale Canal, which is largely flat and traffic-free. The canal paths are particularly good for leisurely rides.

Touring cycling in Rochdale offers a diverse range of landscapes. You'll find everything from the dramatic rolling hills and open moorland of the Pennines, with impressive gritstone escarpments, to serene canal paths along the Rochdale Canal. The region also features picturesque reservoirs like Hollingworth Lake and wooded valleys such as Healey Dell Nature Reserve, providing varied and scenic backdrops for your rides.

Many touring cycling routes in Rochdale are designed as loops, allowing you to start and finish in the same location. For example, the Blackstone Edge Reservoir – New Road Climb loop from Smithy Bridge is a popular circular route offering significant elevation gain and stunning Pennine views. Another option is the Rochdale Canal – Rochdale Canal loop from Mills Hill, which follows the canal corridor.

Rochdale's cycling routes pass by several natural and historical attractions. You can explore the dramatic Pennine landscapes, including the Blackstone Edge trig point and Robin Hood's Bed. Hollingworth Lake is a prominent feature, and Healey Dell Nature Reserve offers woodlands, the River Spodden, and spectacular waterfalls. The Rochdale Canal itself is a historic waterway with many points of interest, including the Eastern Summit, Rochdale Canal.

Yes, for those interested in waterfalls, the Healey Dell Nature Reserve is a key area. While specific touring cycling routes directly through the reserve might be limited, the area is characterized by the River Spodden carving its way through woodlands, creating spectacular waterfalls. The Healey Dell Cycle Route, part of the National Cycle Network, offers a great way to explore this beautiful natural environment.

The komoot community highly rates touring cycling in Rochdale, with an average score of 4.7 stars from over 90 reviews. Cyclists often praise the diverse terrain, which ranges from challenging moorland climbs to serene canal paths, and the picturesque reservoirs. The blend of natural beauty and well-developed cycling infrastructure is frequently highlighted.

Yes, you can find routes that provide views of the Scout Moor Wind Farm. The Rooley Moor Road – View of Scout Moor Wind Farm loop from Cutgate is a moderate route specifically designed to offer vistas of the wind farm, alongside other Pennine scenery.

Absolutely. Rochdale has converted several disused railway lines into dedicated cycle paths. The Healey Dell Cycle Route, for instance, utilizes a former railway line within the Healey Dell Nature Reserve, featuring an impressive 1867 viaduct. The Smithy Bridge Greenway is another former railway line that allows riders to explore industrial heritage while cycling.

Experienced riders will find plenty of challenging routes in Rochdale, particularly those venturing into the Pennine moorlands. Routes like the Newchurch Tunnels – Owd Betts Pub loop from Smithy Bridge and the Cherry Tree Cafe – Blackshaw Head loop from Littleborough are rated as difficult, featuring significant elevation gains and rugged terrain that will test your endurance.

While touring cycling can be enjoyed year-round, the spring, summer, and early autumn months generally offer the most pleasant conditions in Rochdale. During these seasons, the weather is typically milder, and the Pennine landscapes are at their most vibrant. Moorland routes can be exposed, so checking weather forecasts is always advisable, especially outside of summer.

Many routes in Rochdale cleverly combine the flat, accessible Rochdale Canal paths with other scenic areas. The Rochdale Canal – Kay Lane Lock (Lock 64) loop from Littleborough is a moderate route that follows the canal and explores the surrounding countryside, offering a mix of waterway tranquility and open views.