Section 1 of 4, Oldham Way
Brook Bottom to Middleton Junction
10.4 miles (16.8 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: SD 960 023. Finish: SD 889 048. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
About 202 m of climbing and 385 m of descent; highest point 285 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Brook Bottom.
- Bus stops
- Top Mossley, Stamford Street / near Broadcarr Lane, 740 m from the start. Directions SD 966 020Top Mossley, Stamford Street / near Luzley Road, 740 m from the start. Directions SD 967 020Waterton Lane, 750 m from the start. Directions SD 967 025
- Car parks
- Car park (pay), 950 m from the start. Directions SD 970 023Car park, 970 m from the start. Directions SD 969 021
Getting back
The section finishes at Middleton Junction. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Middleton Junction, Grimshaw Lane / opposite Broadgate, 60 m from the finish. Directions SD 888 048Middleton Junction, Foxdenton Lane / near Springs Road, 120 m from the finish. Directions SD 890 048Middleton Junction, Grimshaw Lane / Moston Road (Stop F), 210 m from the finish. Directions SD 887 049
Planning the Oldham Way
- Planning the whole trail: oldham.gov.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 37%, earth, rock and mud 32%, gravel and tracks 25%.
About 11% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 10 stiles, 2 kissing gates, 7 gates, 5 stream crossings, 5 flights of steps.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 24 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- Nelson Tavern, Failsworth: 6.4 miles in.Mare and Foal, Failsworth: 7.8 miles in.Crown & Cushion, Failsworth: 8.2 miles in.Boat and Horses Pub, White Gate: 9.5 miles in. Food, seats outside, step-free.Daisyfield Inn, Bardsley: 2.9 miles in, about 250 m off the way.Church Inn, Newton Heath: 7.2 miles in, about 350 m off the way.The Mowbray Arms, Failsworth: 7.9 miles in, about 150 m off the way.The Bricklayers Arms, Failsworth: 7.9 miles in, about 350 m off the way.The Millgate, Failsworth: 7.9 miles in, about 150 m off the way.The Royal Oak, Failsworth: 8.2 miles in, about 150 m off the way.And 5 more within a quarter of a mile.
- Café
- One Soul, Failsworth: 7.5 miles in, about 200 m off the way.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
Walked it? Log it
Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.