| ‘A’ Walk |
| Distance: 12 miles |
| Ascent: 1900 ft |
| Leaders: |
| Gordon Spence |
| John Hughes |
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The route goes via the remains of Lord Leverhulme’s terraced gardens, up multiple flights of steps to Pigeon Tower which was originally a dovecote with a sewing room above!
Extensive views are revealed and continue for most of the day.
A little further on is the landmark Rivington Tower, a former hunting lodge on the site of a beacon.
From here we skirt around Rivington Moor to reach Crooked Edge Hill and the Two Lads cairns.
Then there is a very gradual ascent to the TV mast at the summit of Winter Hill.
The panorama here is the most spectacular 360 degree view of the whole Lancashire plain covering most of North West England.
On the recce it was possible see Snowdonia, Lake District, IOM, Manchester, Yorkshire Dales and Peak District.
The descent is short but muddy, down to soggy Moor Bottom - an exception to the good/paved paths for most of the route.
Leaving Rivington Moor the track continues on high ground following Spitlers Edge onto Anglezark Moor with Great Hill as the high point.
In contrast to the upper moorland, the final section is in woodland with beautiful views of the reservoirs. |
| ‘B+’ Walk |
| Distance: 11 miles |
| Ascent: 1700 ft |
| Leaders: |
| Lynn Smith |
Clare Lyons |
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| This is a picturesque walk around some of the reservoirs in the Rivington area.
We begin at the Barn, on the Rivington Hall Estate and walk up through the terraced gardens to the Pigeon Tower, from where we can enjoy some beautiful views.
We then walk eastwards around Rivington Moor to the village of Belmont and then back towards the Yarrow Reservoir, taking in the very pretty Lead Mines Clough, where we can visit the war memorial.
Continuing to the Anglezarke Reservoir we will pick up a path which takes us around the banks and through some picturesque countryside.
We then head south, along the Upper Rivington Reservoir, through Rivington village and back to the café at the Barn.
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| ‘B’ Walk |
| Distance: 9 miles |
| Ascent: 1000 ft |
| Leaders: |
| Trevor Ludlow |
David Willis |
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| This relaxed walk takes in several of the structures around the Rivington estate, including the Castle,
The Pigeon Tower, and what is left of Lord Leverhulme’s extensive gardens.
Initially following the Lower reservoir, we head for the highest point of the day, at the Tower on Rivington Pike.
Mostly following the contours, we have good views of the moors and reservoirs as we continue across Sam Pasture and Lead Mines Clough.
Dropping down, we pass Jepson’s Gate for the pleasant walk alongside the Yarrow and Upper Rivington reservoirs back to the coach.
Just 10 minutes before the end we’ll have the opportunity to stop for the public bar and tea room at the bowling club or continue to the large cafe at the Great Barn. |
| ‘C’ Walk |
| Distance: 6 miles |
| Ascent: 800 ft |
| Leaders: |
| Denise Nunn |
| Tony Nunn |
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| From Rivington Country Park car park (toilets) we follow the shore of the Lower Rivington reservoir to Rivington village and then towards the Yarrow Reservoir and Wilcock’s Farm.
We turn south westwards on a country lane and then onto the trail that ascends to Lady Lever Tower (her sewing room) and the Terraced Gardens.
For those with more energy there will be an optional ascent of Rivington Pike (additional 150 feet).
We then begin our descent towards Pike Cottage and, skirting the north side of Horwich, join the reservoir again at its south end near Rivington Lodge.
A short stroll past Liverpool Castle returns us to the café and coach at our starting point.
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