Section 3 of 5, Rochdale Way
Cheesden to Birch
10.3 miles (16.6 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: SD 831 159. Finish: SD 851 077. 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 188 m of climbing and 399 m of descent; highest point 313 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Cheesden.
- Car parks
- Owd Betts Car Park (free), 220 m from the start. Directions SD 829 160Car park (free), 260 m from the start. Directions SD 829 160Ashview View Parking, 550 m from the start. Directions SD 827 163
No bus stop or station within a kilometre of the start. Nearest: the bus stop at Edenfield Road/Red Lumb, 1.2 km away (Directions); Ramsbottom station (heritage railway), 4 km away (Directions).
Getting back
The section finishes at Birch. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Heywood Old Road/Langley Lane, 50 m from the finish. Directions SD 851 077Heywood Old Road/The Cottages, 200 m from the finish. Directions SD 852 079Heywood Old Road/Greenhill Farm, 380 m from the finish. Directions SD 849 073
Planning the Rochdale Way
- Planning the whole trail: gmwalking.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 42%, earth, rock and mud 10%, gravel and tracks 10%, grass 5%; the rest (34%) isn't recorded.
About 41% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 5 gates, 1 flight of steps.
Steepest climb: about 28 m in a kilometre (1 in 36), starting 5.3 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pub
- The Gardeners Arms, Birch: 9.4 miles in, about 350 m off the way.
- Cafés
- Queen's Park Café, Hooley Brow: 4.8 miles in, about 200 m off the way.Costa, Birch: 10.3 miles in, about 350 m off the way.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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