Rural walks in Bolton
Bolton's rural areas offer great opportunities for peaceful recreational walks. There is a mix of quiet off road footpaths, bridleways and restricted byways.
The surface of routes is variable and we recommend anyone walking in the rural areas to wear waterproof clothes and boots.
Easily accessible paths
The following paths are accessible to most people including those using motorised buggies. They represent some of the routes that lead to places of interest, or are just a pleasant walk in their own right.
- Hall Lee Bank Park (Westhoughton)
- Horrocks Wood
- Middlebrook Valley Trail
- Moses Gate Country Park
- Smithills Country Park
The Middlebrook Valley Trail
The Middlebrook Valley Trail runs between Red Moss at Middlebrook and Bolton Town Centre. There is a purpose built footpath and cycleway that leads via Deane Church Clough and Ladybridge to Lostock Junction. A short journey from here, Middlebrook is accessed via the restricted byways that cross the Regent Park Golf Club.
Bolton's Country Parks
Bolton's Country Parks offer the best mix of recreational facilities for walkers. They provide a network of concessionary footpaths and bridleways on a variety of surfaces many of which are suitable for those with mobility issues which interconnect with the existing Definitive Public Footpath and Restricted Byway network.
The Tonge Trail
This eight mile walk follows the River Tonge and Bradshaw Brook. Full details and a map of the route can in the downloads.