Stage 7 Bolton Rotary Way

The ROTARY WAY STAGE 7 Norwich to Dimple

This stage is almost entirely a moorland trek which starts with a steady climb to the mast near the top of Winter Hill. Whilst it is above average length for a stage, this climb of roughly 1100 feet to our highest point at about 1500 feet above sea level provides more spectacular views as we climb and a completely different view when we descend by a good path to Coal Pit Road, Scout Road and Belmont Road. We continue descending towards Eagley Brook and then along the foot of Delph Reservoir to Dimple - altogether a rather strenuous but very rewarding stage.

Cross over and turn right on Bolton Road and, after about 160 yards, turn left up Dryfield Lane, following it for about half a mile to Lever Park Avenue . There turn right and, after about 100 yards, beyond the tennis courts, turn up the track to the left. At the point opposite the gap between Rivington School buildings, turn right between the verge bollards and follow the rough footpath through the wood, over the bridge across the River Douglas, to Green Lane, There turn sharp left and follow Green Lane uphill for about 150 yards, then bear left up a track with a deep wooded valley on your left, leading to Ormstons Farm . At Ormstons Farm, turn left into a tree-lined gulley. After about 300 yds head slightly left and follow a line of posts across an open field heading for Pike Cottage on George’s Lane. There, go through the kissing gates either side of the road and go up the steps of the footpath to the right of Pike Cottage. Follow the rough footpath over open moorland and bear left when the path divides. When the path crosses a hardcore vehicular track, continue to join the metalled road, turning left to Winter Hill mast. The superb views to the west, south and east give way to views to the North. In good visibility look for the Irish Sea, the Peak District, the Pennines, Pendle Hill, Ingleborough and Peny-ghent; in bad visibility look where you are putting your feet. You may wish to continue past the buildings at the foot of the mast to see the Scotchman’s Post, the site of a foul murder in the 19th century: otherwise, shortly before the mast turn right and follow the well-defined track - stone flags and decking initially to cross a stile. The path curves right and continues gently downhill eventually crossing a footbridge over a stream, here keep to the right by some trees, shortly before arriving at a stile and gate at Coal Pit Road.
There, continue straight ahead along this delightful moorland road down to Scout Road, and then along Scout Road, with its superb views over Bolton and Manchester, towards Belmont Road. This road can get busy and it is safest to walk along the south side until, opposite a rough pull-in about halfway between the sharp left bend and Belmont Road, shortly after a track joins obliquely from the right, turn right to cross a tufted grass field where the path is ill-defined. Aim for a gap in the wall alongside Belmont Road opposite the left of two farm tracks ahead. Cross Belmont Road ) and turn right for about 50 yards to the Fernhill Farm access drive.
Turn down this concrete drive and continue across the farmyard and bear left around Fernhill Cottage, then turn right across a stile in the field boundary. (This field is a very broad and wet bog. It may be possible to walk around the edge of the field) Follow the line of the electricity posts, crossing another Stile in the next field boundary and continue along the line of the electricity posts to reach a small footbridge across a stream . Once over the stream, climb up the bank to your left, keeping this feeder stream in sight to your right until emerging onto Dunscar golf course. Then follow the feeder stream depression on your right, again to follow the distant green and white posts - the only indication of where the footpath goes!. Go immediately left of the 13th tee to enter the scrubby area leading to the woods. Follow the path downhill through the wood to the track. There turn left to cross Eagley Brook at the stone bridge and then take the right-hand track and continue on it until reaching Longworth Road at a gate.
Turn left and, after about less than ¼ mile, then go right and follow the footpath by the stone wall at the foot of Delph Reservoir dam to cross a handsome stone bridge over the outfall channel: note the well-constructed stone walls bounding this footpath with their fine castellated ‘bucks’ and ‘does’ (upstanding and lowered stones). At the junction of tracks at the chapel gate, , keep straight on and along by the wall to reach Dimple Road by the side of the restaurant (CIAO BABY June 2013) previously known as the King William IV or Thomas Dutton public house. Continue straight ahead on Dimple Road and follow the road round to the right to arrive at A666 Blackburn Road .

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