Start: Station car park Ramsbottom.

From Junction 8 of the M65 join the M56 south towards Rawtenstall and Manchester. After 10 miles this road reaches Edenfield and the start of the M66. Here turn onto the A676 towards Bolton. In one mile in Ramsbottom centre turn left into Bridge Street. The station is on the right in a little over 200m.
 
Note: This route passes over a military firing range which is still in use several times a year especially at weekends. If a red flag is flying at Holcombe Moor do not walk further. To avoid disappointment telephone this number for information about the range:01204 882991

Fact file: Distance: 13k 8 miles
               Time: 3 1/2 - 4 1/2  hours
              Summary: The walk starts with a riverside stroll. Then there is a gentle ascent through a wooded clough up to the foot of the moor. This is followed by a more demanding moorland yomp. On descending from Peel Tower the route passes through a residential area before returning to the starting point along the river.
               Maps: OS Explorer 287 West Pennine Moors OS OL 21 South Pennines.

Map by kind permission of the Blackpool Gazette
 
 
Directions: From the station walk back to Bridge Street and turn right. After crossing the river Irwell turn left into Kenyon Street.

At this point with the prospect of warehouses and industrial units before you you may be tempted to retreat.

Keep ahead. At the end of the street bear right onto a footpath that edges around a soapworks.

 

Within minutes you are looking out onto an altogether different scene.

The next part of the walk follows the River Irwell through meadows to arrive at the Bolton Road.

 Keep ahead to reach the old industrial settlement of Chatterton.

When you reach Mint Street continue on a footpath leading to a bridge over the river.

Across this keep ahead through the settlement of Strongstry,

 pass under the East Lancashire Railway and then a disused railway bridge in quick succession.

 Turn right and then left onto a track immediately after the end house.

The route now enters a wooded clough and follows it as it climbs towards Helmshore Road and Holcombe Moor beyond.

 At first with the brook on the left and then after entering National Trust woodland on the right keep going up until you arrive at Helmshore Road.

 Cross with care to a stone stile

 and continue a further 300m to reach a ladder stile.

Cross this and turn right onto the broad track - Moor Road. Almost immediately bear left towards an isolated tree near a wall.

With the wall on your left keep climbing

and after 300m come to the open expanse of Holcombe Moor. 

To reach its highest point aim for a flag pole on the skyline. This marks the extent of the army firing range and if it has a red flag go no further. A faint path follows the edge of the range marked by frequent warning signs.

 Close to the third flagpole you will see the trig point to the left.

From the trig point the way turns south to Peel Tower. This is a fine moorland ridge walk. First the route drops to Pilgrim's Cross a commemorative stone

and then continues over Harcles Hill to the Peel Tower.

This was built to honour Sir Robert Peel the 19th century Prime Minister.

The route now descends steeply towards the valley. Take the broad track below the tower's base

and then cross a stile on the right pass Top o' th' Moor Farm.

The footpath follows a fence down hill that switches back to reach Moor Lane.

Turn left and then after a short distance turn right to pass through a squeeze stile onto a footpath.

 At the junction turn left.

This drive leads down to Holcombe Old Road.

When you reach it turn right.

After 500m it reaches a busy road junction on the A676 Bolton Road. 

Cross the road turn left and then right into Woodhey Road.

Now in a residential area turn right after 300m following the direction of a footpath sign.

 Follow the drive to the right and then turn left onto a path leading through woodland.

 

When you reach a lane turn left and take a footpath on the left that edges around a substantial property on the right.

Soon this path is edging around a substantial housing estate on the left. Bear right when the path forks. When you reach a cobbled path turn left and follow it.

The path turns right over the ELR

 and then continues dropping to a dell with an isolated house

before continuing in woods to reach the River Irwell.

Cross the river and soon after turn left into Nuttall Park.

  This is a delightful amenity with which to conclude the walk.

Cross it to its far side passing below the railway once more.

As you reach the road turn right pass a large warehouse

 and the left into Railway Road. The car park is on the right.