Section 5 of 5, Rochdale Way
Thornham to Littleborough
9 miles (14.5 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: SD 914 097. Finish: SD 945 153. 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 349 m of climbing and 373 m of descent; highest point 330 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Thornham.
- Bus stops
- Castleton Road/Turks Head, 100 m from the start. Directions SD 914 096Summit, Rochdale Road / outside Thornham Summit, 340 m from the start. Directions SD 910 096Springfield Lane/Rochdale Road, 360 m from the start. Directions SD 911 094
- Car parks
- Car park, 760 m from the start. Directions SD 909 103Car park, 880 m from the start. Directions SD 908 103Car park, 880 m from the start. Directions SD 914 088
Getting back
The section finishes at Littleborough. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Hollingworth Road/Rakewood Road, 770 m from the finish. Directions SD 937 152Lake Bank/Fishermans Inn, 830 m from the finish. Directions SD 937 152Hollingworth Road/Chemical Works, 990 m from the finish. Directions SD 935 156
Planning the Rochdale Way
- Planning the whole trail: gmwalking.co.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 35%, gravel and tracks 28%, grass 10%, earth, rock and mud 6%; the rest (22%) isn't recorded.
About 34% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 4 stiles, 5 gates, 1 flight of steps.
Steepest climb: about 74 m in a kilometre (1 in 14), starting 5.5 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- Bulls Head, Higher Ogden: 4 miles in. Seats outside.Colliers Return, Burnedge: 0.5 miles in, about 300 m off the way.Fairview, Burnedge: 0.6 miles in, about 250 m off the way. Step-free.The Wine Press, Littleborough: 8.4 miles in, about 150 m off the way.
- Café
- The Woodlands Café at Dunwood Park, Wood End: 2.3 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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