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Best Mountain Hikes near Rochdale

We track 47 routes that match this search near Rochdale. They average 31.3 km and 691 m (2,267 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 122 km.

That is 29 percent of the 163 routes we map near Rochdale. They run noticeably longer than average for the area, 31.3 km against 17.7 km, so budget more daylight than a typical outing here. The climbing is steeper too: 691 m (2,267 ft) on average versus 390 m (1,280 ft) across the wider area.

Mountain routes trade effort for scale. Expect sustained climbing, quick weather changes and views that make the numbers worth it. The mix is broad: 8 are rated easy and 25 are hard or harder, so there is something here whether you have two hours or a full day.

Trails

Expert

The Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
101 km
/ 63.0 mi
Elevation gain
2,357 m
Typical duration
27 hr
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Airedale Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
76.5 km
/ 47.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,683 m
Typical duration
20 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Bronte Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
70.7 km
/ 43.9 mi
Elevation gain
1,555 m
Typical duration
18 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Burnley Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
65.2 km
/ 40.5 mi
Elevation gain
1,433 m
Typical duration
17 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Calderdale Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
81.6 km
/ 50.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,795 m
Typical duration
21 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Kirklees Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
122 km
/ 75.9 mi
Elevation gain
2,688 m
Typical duration
32 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Mary Towneley Loop

England · United Kingdom

Distance
72.0 km
/ 44.8 mi
Elevation gain
1,585 m
Typical duration
19 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Pendle Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
72.0 km
/ 44.7 mi
Elevation gain
1,584 m
Typical duration
19 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Rochdale Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
77.8 km
/ 48.3 mi
Elevation gain
1,711 m
Typical duration
20 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Rossendale Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
67.0 km
/ 41.6 mi
Elevation gain
1,474 m
Typical duration
17 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Bollin Valley Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
37.0 km
/ 23.0 mi
Elevation gain
814 m
Typical duration
9 hr 35 min
  • Mountain
Expert

Irwell Sculpture Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
55.2 km
/ 34.3 mi
Elevation gain
1,214 m
Typical duration
14 hr
  • Mountain
Expert

Salford Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
39.5 km
/ 24.6 mi
Elevation gain
869 m
Typical duration
10 hr
  • Mountain
Easy

Peak Forest Tramway Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
3.5 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
77 m
Typical duration
51 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Expert

Bradford Millennium Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
76.1 km
/ 47.3 mi
Elevation gain
1,674 m
Typical duration
20 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Easy

A walk to The Cage, Lyme

England · United Kingdom

Distance
2.2 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
48 m
Typical duration
31 min
  • Mountain
Easy

Derwent Dam Black Route

England · United Kingdom

Distance
3.9 km
/ 2.4 mi
Elevation gain
86 m
Typical duration
56 min
  • Mountain
Easy

Derwent Dam Green Route

England · United Kingdom

Distance
6.2 km
/ 3.9 mi
Elevation gain
137 m
Typical duration
1 hr 30 min
  • Mountain
Easy

Derwent Dam Red Route

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
35 m
Typical duration
23 min
  • Mountain
Expert

Holme Valley Circular Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
36.9 km
/ 23.0 mi
Elevation gain
813 m
Typical duration
9 hr 34 min
  • Mountain
Moderate

Pen-Den Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
8.5 km
/ 5.3 mi
Elevation gain
186 m
Typical duration
2 hr 3 min
  • Mountain

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Pennine Way (Edale to Crowden)England26.4 km581 m6 hr 43 minHardApril to October
The Ribble Valley Jubilee TrailEngland101 km2,357 m27 hrExpertApril to October
Gritstone Trail (Disley - River Dane)England32.9 km725 m8 hr 29 minExpertApril to October
Airedale WayEngland76.5 km1,683 m20 hrExpertApril to October
Bronte WayEngland70.7 km1,555 m18 hrExpertApril to October
Burnley WayEngland65.2 km1,433 m17 hrExpertApril to October
Calderdale WayEngland81.6 km1,795 m21 hrExpertApril to October
Kirklees WayEngland122 km2,688 m32 hrExpertApril to October
Mary Towneley LoopEngland72.0 km1,585 m19 hrExpertApril to October
Pendle WayEngland72.0 km1,584 m19 hrExpertApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Pennine Way (Edale to Crowden), The Ribble Valley Jubilee Trail, Gritstone Trail (Disley - River Dane). Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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