Section 2 of 4, Oldham Way
Middleton Junction to Clough
8.9 miles (14.4 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: SD 889 048. Finish: SD 951 099. 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 400 m of climbing and 256 m of descent; highest point 250 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Middleton Junction.
- Bus stops
- Middleton Junction, Grimshaw Lane / opposite Broadgate, 60 m from the start. Directions SD 888 048Middleton Junction, Foxdenton Lane / near Springs Road, 120 m from the start. Directions SD 890 048Middleton Junction, Grimshaw Lane / Moston Road (Stop F), 210 m from the start. Directions SD 887 049
- Car parks
- Car park, 30 m from the start. Directions SD 888 048Car park, 120 m from the start. Directions SD 888 049Car park, 140 m from the start. Directions SD 888 049
Getting back
The section finishes at Clough. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Buckstones Estate, 190 m from the finish. Directions SD 949 098Buckstones Estate, Buckstones Road / near Hillside Avenue, 210 m from the finish. Directions SD 949 098Buckstones Road/Hillside Avenue, 440 m from the finish. Directions SD 946 100
Planning the Oldham Way
- Planning the whole trail: oldham.gov.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: gravel and tracks 31%, earth, rock and mud 31%, paved or flagged 20%, grass 18%.
About 23% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 18 stiles, 6 kissing gates, 9 gates, 5 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 60 m in a kilometre (1 in 17), starting 7.7 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- Radclyfe Arms, Middleton Junction: at the start.Rose of Lancaster, Chadderton Park: 0.9 miles in. Food, seats outside.Pleasant Inn, Thornham: 4.6 miles in.Colliers Return, Burnedge: 5.7 miles in.The Minders Arms, Middleton Junction: 0.3 miles in, about 150 m off the way.The Minders Arms, Middleton Junction: 0.3 miles in, about 150 m off the way.The Old Cock, Chadderton Park: 0.8 miles in, about 350 m off the way. Seats outside.Church Inn, Chadderton Fold: 1.6 miles in, about 150 m off the way.Tandle Hill Tavern, Thornham Fold: 3.7 miles in, about 350 m off the way.Summit Inn: 4.6 miles in, about 200 m off the way.And 2 more within a quarter of a mile.
- Cafés
- Joe's Diner, Chadderton Park: 0.9 miles in, about 150 m off the way.The Woodlands Café at Dunwood Park, Wood End: 7.1 miles in, about 300 m off the way.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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