Horwich, a region in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton within Greater Manchester, England, offers a diverse landscape for outdoor activities. Situated at the southern edge of the West Pennine Moors, the area features a mix of wild moorlands, varied terrain, and numerous reservoirs. Its underlying geology of Millstone Grit and Lower Coal Measures contributes to the varied elevations, making it suitable for several sports like road cycling, jogging, hiking, mountain biking, and more.
Horwich provides…
129
Routes
4.5
(168)
Average rating
4563
People visited

3.0
(2)
7
riders
74.9km
03:35
920m
920m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.1
(7)
578
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
84
riders
60.0km
02:34
410m
410m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3.8
(5)
68
riders
31.2km
01:34
450m
450m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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320
runners
18.5km
02:14
450m
450m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
188
runners
17.1km
01:56
220m
220m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

96
runners
4.64km
00:37
210m
210m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

68
runners
13.1km
01:28
120m
120m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.3
(6)
113
riders
12.5km
01:09
310m
310m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(12)
82
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.1
(7)
46
riders
37.0km
02:41
530m
530m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.0
(8)
91
riders
11.9km
01:03
230m
230m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(9)
113
hikers
6.69km
01:55
170m
170m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(6)
109
hikers
10.5km
03:07
320m
320m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(5)
79
hikers
6.67km
01:59
210m
210m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(7)
66
hikers
8.28km
02:13
100m
100m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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45
riders
20.5km
01:41
240m
240m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

19
riders
15.5km
01:17
230m
230m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

30
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
16
riders
12.2km
00:45
130m
130m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
11
riders
24.7km
01:59
370m
370m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
21
riders
32.9km
02:15
440m
440m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(7)
24
riders
62.1km
03:10
190m
190m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
12
riders
34.3km
02:08
140m
140m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Horwich offers a diverse range of outdoor activities including Road cycling, Jogging, Hiking, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, and Gravel biking. The region features more than 170 routes across these sports. These activities are set against the backdrop of the West Pennine Moors.
Horwich provides numerous hiking trails, with popular objectives including Rivington Pike and Winter Hill. Rivington Pike offers trails through its terraced gardens, while Winter Hill provides views from its 456-meter summit. Darwen Tower is another prominent objective, offering extensive views on clear days. For more options, consult the Hiking around Horwich guide.
Horwich offers varied terrain suitable for road cycling, including routes through the West Pennine Moors. Local groups organize rides ranging from "Easygoing" to "Challenging" based on distance and climbs. The Road Cycling Routes around Horwich guide provides specific options.
Horwich is suitable for mountain biking, particularly at the southern edge of the West Pennine Moors. Popular trails include the Rivington Pike Tower – The Pike Snack Shack loop, which is about 7.7 miles (12.5 km) long. The Upper Rivington Reservoir – Horrobin Embankment loop covers 23.0 miles (37.0 km) through reservoir landscapes. More trails can be found in the MTB Trails around Horwich guide.
Horwich offers family-friendly options for outdoor activities. Entwistle Reservoir provides easy walks along its shores, suitable for families. The region's highlight categories include "family_friendly" routes, indicating suitable trails for various age groups. Specific family-friendly routes can be explored within the komoot guides for different sports.
Horwich features significant natural and historical landmarks. Rivington Pike, Winter Hill, and Darwen Tower are prominent summits offering extensive views. Entwistle Reservoir provides scenic walks, and Red Moss is a 47.2-hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest. Historical structures like the Pigeon Tower also add cultural interest.
Horwich is a popular destination for outdoor activities on komoot, with more than 17,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.49 out of 5 stars. There are over 170 routes available across various sports.
Komoot offers several guides for Horwich, including Road Cycling Routes around Horwich, Hiking around Horwich, and MTB Trails around Horwich. Other guides cover Running, Easy Hikes, Cycling, and Gravel Biking.
Horwich offers routes suitable for various skill levels, including beginner-friendly options. For hiking, the Easy hikes around Horwich guide provides specific trails. Road cycling groups also organize "Easygoing" rides. Look for routes categorized as "easy" or with minimal elevation gain.
Public transport options to areas like Rivington Country Park and the Middlebrook Valley Trail in Horwich are available. Specific routes and schedules can be found by consulting local transport authorities. Horwich is located within the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester.
The official website for Horwich Town Council is www.horwich.gov.uk. This resource provides local information and services.
Many trails in Horwich, particularly around areas like Rivington, are suitable for dogs. It is advisable to keep dogs on leads, especially near livestock or in designated nature conservation areas. Always check local signage for specific restrictions.

