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Family-Friendly Hikes near Rochdale

59 routes near Rochdale qualify, ranked below by how much walkers rate them. They average 2.8 km and 61 m (200 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 6.5 km.

That is 36 percent of the 163 routes we map near Rochdale. They are shorter than the local average, 2.8 km against 17.7 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 61 m (200 ft) against 390 m (1,280 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Family routes here are short, gently graded and interesting enough to keep younger legs moving. Every one is under seven kilometres with limited climbing. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area.

Trails

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
Easy

Lime Avenue Ponds Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
3.1 km
/ 1.9 mi
Elevation gain
68 m
Typical duration
45 min
  • Lake
  • Forest
Easy

Paddock Cottage Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
2.8 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
62 m
Typical duration
41 min
  • Forest
  • Alpine meadow
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
Easy

St Andrew's Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.0 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
22 m
Typical duration
14 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Riverside Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
5.3 km
/ 3.3 mi
Elevation gain
117 m
Typical duration
1 hr 17 min
  • River
Easy

Calderdale Way Link

England · United Kingdom

Distance
5.8 km
/ 3.6 mi
Elevation gain
128 m
Typical duration
1 hr 25 min
Easy

Hebble Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
2.9 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
64 m
Typical duration
42 min
Easy

Hebden Bridge Loop

England · United Kingdom

Distance
6.0 km
/ 3.8 mi
Elevation gain
133 m
Typical duration
1 hr 27 min
Easy

New Cut Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
2.8 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
61 m
Typical duration
40 min
Easy

Rotary Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
21 m
Typical duration
14 min
Easy

Tame Valley Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
3.3 km
/ 2.1 mi
Elevation gain
73 m
Typical duration
48 min
Easy

Wizard Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
35 m
Typical duration
23 min
Easy

Brun Valley Greenway

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
25 m
Typical duration
17 min
Easy

Eastergate Return

England · United Kingdom

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
18 m
Typical duration
12 min

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
E2 connector hiking trailEngland1.4 km31 m21 minEasyApril to October
Crags Constitutional Walk, Hardcastle CragsEngland2.7 km60 m39 minEasyApril to October
Peak Forest Canal towpath - part Marple to DisleyEngland3.2 km70 m46 minEasyApril to October
Peak Forest Tramway TrailEngland3.5 km77 m51 minEasyApril to October
Lime Avenue Ponds WalkEngland3.1 km68 m45 minEasyApril to October
Paddock Cottage WalkEngland2.8 km62 m41 minEasyApril to October
Gritstone Trail (Lyme Park Alternative)England2.3 km51 m34 minEasyApril to October
Trans-Pennine Trail (Charlesworth alternative route)England2.8 km62 m41 minEasyApril to October
Railway Trail Walk, Hardcaslte CragsEngland4.6 km101 m1 hr 7 minEasyApril to October
A walk to The Cage, LymeEngland2.2 km48 m31 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with E2 connector hiking trail, Peak Forest Tramway Trail, Crags Constitutional Walk, Hardcastle Crags. 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

Related guides

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