With extensive woodland, cloughs and fields this is a safari encircling Middleton. And the sense of uncharted wilderness was heightened when we came to Dingle Farm where the path vanished into jungle. Undeterred we fought our way through and emerged to the amazement of local natives. Now, thanks to Rochdale Council, the path has been cleared and you return into ancient Middleton past the Elizabethan Grammar School, Medieval Parish Church with its wooden steeple and half-timbered Old Boar's Head.
LOCATION: Middleton
START: One mile east of M60 Junct 19. Alkrington Woods Nature Reserve car park on A576, opposite Kings Drive
Grid ref: SD861053 Postcode: M24 4EB
DISTANCE: 9 miles
GRADE: Moderate, but a few awkward stiles
TIME: 5 hours
MAP: Explorer - Manchester & Salford Landranger 109
REFRESHMENTS: White Hart & Middleton
EN ROUTE: River Irk, Rochdale Way, Birch, Rhodes Green, Boarshaw Clough
This walk was originally published by
The Manchester Evening News