descend to a junction (GR637147). Go straight on, over the stream, then bear
right and follow the main track down hill to the next gate. After the gate follow
the trail as it bears left. At the triangular junction keep left and descend to the
next junction. Go straight on and descend a short way to the road
(GR633134).
15. Go across the road and straight on down the track to the next junction a
short distance later. Take the second left at the junction and follow the dirt
track through the trees to the next junction (GR633129). Turn right to follow
the wide trail down to the castle (GR629130). Turn right at the castle and
follow the track that leads away from the tower. At the next junction take a left
and follow the track across the bottom of a field on the right. The track then
bears right and comes to another junction. Take the left hand track and stay
on the main track on the right hand side of the trees. Follow the main track
right then left. After a short straight stay right of the fence that starts on the
left. Drop right to a sharp left hand bend that leads on to a short sharp climb.
At the top of the climb turn right to the Great House Barn café and the
Information Centre (GR628138) and the end of the ride.
Not all of these trail are shown on the OS map of the area but they can be
found from a leaflet, available in the Information Centre, which details all the
permissive trails.
A description of a ride I took on this route can be found in the Gallery.
right and follow the main track down hill to the next gate. After the gate follow
the trail as it bears left. At the triangular junction keep left and descend to the
next junction. Go straight on and descend a short way to the road
(GR633134).
15. Go across the road and straight on down the track to the next junction a
short distance later. Take the second left at the junction and follow the dirt
track through the trees to the next junction (GR633129). Turn right to follow
the wide trail down to the castle (GR629130). Turn right at the castle and
follow the track that leads away from the tower. At the next junction take a left
and follow the track across the bottom of a field on the right. The track then
bears right and comes to another junction. Take the left hand track and stay
on the main track on the right hand side of the trees. Follow the main track
right then left. After a short straight stay right of the fence that starts on the
left. Drop right to a sharp left hand bend that leads on to a short sharp climb.
At the top of the climb turn right to the Great House Barn café and the
Information Centre (GR628138) and the end of the ride.
Not all of these trail are shown on the OS map of the area but they can be
found from a leaflet, available in the Information Centre, which details all the
permissive trails.
A description of a ride I took on this route can be found in the Gallery.
North West of Bolton is Rivington
Country Park. This mountain bike
route of 17.5miles takes in many of the
Parks attractions as well as venturing
outside to visit each of the reservoirs
in the valley. The terrain is not too
difficult but there are a quite few
technical sections of riding that make
this route well worth doing.
1. Start at the car park by the Great
House Barn café and the Information
Centre (GR628138). Head out of the
back of the car park towards the
reservoir. Follow the dirt track 90deg
right to keep the water and fence on
the left. Continue along this trail to the
next car park. Go straight through the
car park then past the school, on the
right, to a road junction (GR625144).
Turn left and descend on the road to
the next junction, at the edge of the
Country Park. This mountain bike
route of 17.5miles takes in many of the
Parks attractions as well as venturing
outside to visit each of the reservoirs
in the valley. The terrain is not too
difficult but there are a quite few
technical sections of riding that make
this route well worth doing.
1. Start at the car park by the Great
House Barn café and the Information
Centre (GR628138). Head out of the
back of the car park towards the
reservoir. Follow the dirt track 90deg
right to keep the water and fence on
the left. Continue along this trail to the
next car park. Go straight through the
car park then past the school, on the
right, to a road junction (GR625144).
Turn left and descend on the road to
the next junction, at the edge of the
reservoir, then turn right. Follow the broken tarmac that soon bears right and climbs to a junction at the crest in the
road. Turn left and step over the stone stile then climb the wide, rocky hardpack trail. Continue up the gentle climb to
the next junction, beneath the reservoir (GR623154). Take the left hand track for a short descent that, after a tight left
hand bend, comes out at a road.
road. Turn left and step over the stone stile then climb the wide, rocky hardpack trail. Continue up the gentle climb to
the next junction, beneath the reservoir (GR623154). Take the left hand track for a short descent that, after a tight left
hand bend, comes out at a road.
2. Go straight on and cross the dam. On the opposite side continue along the
road for a few hundred meters. Just after the road starts descending it comes
to a junction by a house on a left hand bend (GR617154). Turn right and
follow the lane straight on to the next group of houses. Follow the lane
through a few bends then go past the bank of the reservoir on the right where
it straightens out. Just after the bank finishes take the track on the right that
leads to the farm, marked as a BW. A short distance later, directly before the
entrance to the farm, turn left on the hardpack track (GR612165).
3. Follow this track up a gentle climb between the fences. The track kicks up
and goes through a few bends as it enters some trees.
After the trail flattens out follow it for a little way to a
junction on the left at the next lot of trees (GR611179).
Turn left up the concessional BW and climb the thin, rocky
trail. At the top of the climb follow the trail through a right
hand bend that comes to a crossroad. Turn left and
descend a short way to a gate. Go through the gate and
climb up through a section of tricky rocks. The trail soon
bears right into the trees and heads down hill over a few
drops and loose rocks. Continue down the trail to the
junction at the bottom (GR606183). Turn right and climb
the straight trail up to a gate. At the gate turn hard right
and continue climbing. A short distance later turn hard left
to then go up a small but difficult rock section.
After the trail flattens out follow it for a little way to a
junction on the left at the next lot of trees (GR611179).
Turn left up the concessional BW and climb the thin, rocky
trail. At the top of the climb follow the trail through a right
hand bend that comes to a crossroad. Turn left and
descend a short way to a gate. Go through the gate and
climb up through a section of tricky rocks. The trail soon
bears right into the trees and heads down hill over a few
drops and loose rocks. Continue down the trail to the
junction at the bottom (GR606183). Turn right and climb
the straight trail up to a gate. At the gate turn hard right
and continue climbing. A short distance later turn hard left
to then go up a small but difficult rock section.
4. After reaching the top of the climb (GR607182) follow the muddy trail as it descends to the right and comes to a
muddy chute. Once down the chute go straight on, up a short climb, to a gate on the left. Go through the gate then
turn right at the junction and follow the trial to the previously visited crossroad. Go straight across and follow the trail,
bearing left, to descend back to the wide hardpack trail. Turn left and descend to a gate at the junction with a lane
(GR612183).
muddy chute. Once down the chute go straight on, up a short climb, to a gate on the left. Go through the gate then
turn right at the junction and follow the trial to the previously visited crossroad. Go straight across and follow the trail,
bearing left, to descend back to the wide hardpack trail. Turn left and descend to a gate at the junction with a lane
(GR612183).
5. Turn right and descend the lane through a
couple of bends. After crossing the dam follow
the lane through a left hand bend for the start of
a steep road climb. Go left / right past the
Manor House and on to a junction at the top of
the climb, where the lane turns right and
descends (GR623169). Don’t descend the lane,
go straight on along the dirt track and through a
few of gates. Just before the third gate, follow
the BW as it turns right and descends steeply to
another gate. After the gate drop through a
loose left hand bend. At the bottom turn right
and cross the bridge to a junction (GR630164).
couple of bends. After crossing the dam follow
the lane through a left hand bend for the start of
a steep road climb. Go left / right past the
Manor House and on to a junction at the top of
the climb, where the lane turns right and
descends (GR623169). Don’t descend the lane,
go straight on along the dirt track and through a
few of gates. Just before the third gate, follow
the BW as it turns right and descends steeply to
another gate. After the gate drop through a
loose left hand bend. At the bottom turn right
and cross the bridge to a junction (GR630164).
6. Turn right and descend along the wide dirt track, keeping the stream on the
right. Cross the next bridge then bear right to a gate at the next junction. Go
straight ahead and follow the lane to a junction at the far end of the reservoir
(GR624160). Turn left on the concessional BW and continue following the
edge of the reservoir. After a few bends the trail starts to descend and comes
to a previously visited junction. Go straight on and descend to the gate at the
bottom (GR624148).
7. After the gate turn right and drop down the tarmac, through a left hand
bend, to a junction with the road. Turn left and climb a short way to the
entrance to the car park on the right (GR625144). Turn right and ride through
to the back of the car park then take the left hand track and climb gently to the
road at the other end (GR628141). Turn left on the road and descend a short
way to a junction with two tracks on the right, where the road bears left. Of the
two tracks on the right take the left hand one and climb the wide, badly cobbled
track to the car park at Rivington Hall Barn (GR633145).
right. Cross the next bridge then bear right to a gate at the next junction. Go
straight ahead and follow the lane to a junction at the far end of the reservoir
(GR624160). Turn left on the concessional BW and continue following the
edge of the reservoir. After a few bends the trail starts to descend and comes
to a previously visited junction. Go straight on and descend to the gate at the
bottom (GR624148).
7. After the gate turn right and drop down the tarmac, through a left hand
bend, to a junction with the road. Turn left and climb a short way to the
entrance to the car park on the right (GR625144). Turn right and ride through
to the back of the car park then take the left hand track and climb gently to the
road at the other end (GR628141). Turn left on the road and descend a short
way to a junction with two tracks on the right, where the road bears left. Of the
two tracks on the right take the left hand one and climb the wide, badly cobbled
track to the car park at Rivington Hall Barn (GR633145).
8. Bear right through the car park to a junction at the back of the Barn. Turn
left and go through the gate for a muddy, slightly cobbled climb. At the top of
the trail turn left up a short climb then bear left along some ruts to a gate. Go
through the gate and follow the trail right to the next gate (GR637149). After
the gate turn right on the lane to the next car park. Go straight on at the car
park to the two tracks ahead. Take the track on the right and go through the
gate to climb the wide cobbled dirt track. Continue up this track for a while to
go under the brick bridge and on to a big open junction (GR638140).
9. Take the track on the left between the stone pillars to climb through the
terraced gardens. Follow the concessional BW through a left hand hairpin,
past a track on the right, to continue climbing through the gardens. Go
straight on at the next junction and climb to the gate at the Pigeon Tower
(GR639142). Once through the gate turn right and ride along the wide track
towards Rivington Pike. At the next junction go through the gate in the wooden
fence on the left, then climb the wide, broken track towards the Pike. Climb
through a couple of rocky bends and turn left at the junction with the steps. At
the junction at the back of the Pike take the right and climb to the tower at the
top (GR643137).
left and go through the gate for a muddy, slightly cobbled climb. At the top of
the trail turn left up a short climb then bear left along some ruts to a gate. Go
through the gate and follow the trail right to the next gate (GR637149). After
the gate turn right on the lane to the next car park. Go straight on at the car
park to the two tracks ahead. Take the track on the right and go through the
gate to climb the wide cobbled dirt track. Continue up this track for a while to
go under the brick bridge and on to a big open junction (GR638140).
9. Take the track on the left between the stone pillars to climb through the
terraced gardens. Follow the concessional BW through a left hand hairpin,
past a track on the right, to continue climbing through the gardens. Go
straight on at the next junction and climb to the gate at the Pigeon Tower
(GR639142). Once through the gate turn right and ride along the wide track
towards Rivington Pike. At the next junction go through the gate in the wooden
fence on the left, then climb the wide, broken track towards the Pike. Climb
through a couple of rocky bends and turn left at the junction with the steps. At
the junction at the back of the Pike take the right and climb to the tower at the
top (GR643137).
10. After taking in the view, turn so the
transmitter mast on Winter Hill is
directly on the left and descend over
transmitter mast on Winter Hill is
directly on the left and descend over
the rocks slabs then along the muddy ruts. Rejoin the wide cobbled dirt track
on the left hand bend, and follow it down to a gate then a junction (GR644134).
Turn left to follow the wide dirt track. This turns into a tarmac at a house on
the left. Bear left then right over a small crest. A short way after the crest, just
before the trees meet the fence on the right, turn right through a small gate to
follow the marked concessional BW (GR650128).
11. Descend the obvious track into the trees. The singletrack weaves through
the trees then goes through a tight left and comes to a junction. Descend right
for a rocky section that ends at a gate at a junction (GR647126). Turn right up
a short climb then follow the track between the fences to a house. Go straight
on and descend the broken tarmac and concrete to a junction on the edge of
the housing estate (GR641126). Turn right onto the road then, a short
distance later, take the next right. Follow the track as it bears left around the
field on the left. The track soon drops right over a bridge then straight up a
short, steep climb that starts with a couple of steps. Bear slightly right up the
dirt track to a lane by a school (GR638126).
12. Turn right and climb to the next junction. Take the middle of the three
other tracks and head left to climb a wide, rocky and muddy trail. Keep to this
track for a while and go through a couple of gates to a junction with a wide
rocky concessional BW that turns tightly off to the right (GR638137). Climb
this track below Rivington Pike Tower to the junction at the other end. Turn left
to follow the wide track to the Pigeon Tower (GR639142).
on the left hand bend, and follow it down to a gate then a junction (GR644134).
Turn left to follow the wide dirt track. This turns into a tarmac at a house on
the left. Bear left then right over a small crest. A short way after the crest, just
before the trees meet the fence on the right, turn right through a small gate to
follow the marked concessional BW (GR650128).
11. Descend the obvious track into the trees. The singletrack weaves through
the trees then goes through a tight left and comes to a junction. Descend right
for a rocky section that ends at a gate at a junction (GR647126). Turn right up
a short climb then follow the track between the fences to a house. Go straight
on and descend the broken tarmac and concrete to a junction on the edge of
the housing estate (GR641126). Turn right onto the road then, a short
distance later, take the next right. Follow the track as it bears left around the
field on the left. The track soon drops right over a bridge then straight up a
short, steep climb that starts with a couple of steps. Bear slightly right up the
dirt track to a lane by a school (GR638126).
12. Turn right and climb to the next junction. Take the middle of the three
other tracks and head left to climb a wide, rocky and muddy trail. Keep to this
track for a while and go through a couple of gates to a junction with a wide
rocky concessional BW that turns tightly off to the right (GR638137). Climb
this track below Rivington Pike Tower to the junction at the other end. Turn left
to follow the wide track to the Pigeon Tower (GR639142).
13. At the junction by the tower go straight on to
follow the left hand wide, rocky track between the
tower and the broken bit of wall. Descend this
track through a smooth fast right then left hand
bend to the top of the most technical part of the
ride. It starts with a slab section and quickly
gives way to loose rocks and broken tarmac. After a brief respite the track then drops
through a tricky boulder field. If you don’t like big loose rocks there is some singletrack
up on the left hand side of the trail. The track eventually comes out to a car park at the
bottom (GR637148).
14. Go straight on along the lane past the car park. After the car park, at the end of the
fence on the left, go through the gate on the left down the rutted track along the drystone
wall. The trail bears left to a gate. After the gate continue on the track bearing left then
through a tricky boulder field. If you don’t like big loose rocks there is some singletrack
up on the left hand side of the trail. The track eventually comes out to a car park at the
bottom (GR637148).
14. Go straight on along the lane past the car park. After the car park, at the end of the
fence on the left, go through the gate on the left down the rutted track along the drystone
wall. The trail bears left to a gate. After the gate continue on the track bearing left then
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