This large country park in Bolton covers 750 acres and includes a number of splendid cycling and walking trails. The River Croal and River Irwell run through the park and there are 3 pretty lakes, so there is some lovely waterside walking and cycling to enjoy. The park is excellent for bird watching with a bird hide next to one of the lakes.
Facilities in the park include a visitor centre and some excellent play areas for children. The park is located just a few miles south of Bolton next to Moses Gate train station.
If you would like to continue your walking in the area then you could head a couple of miles south and visit Blackleach Country Park. Here you’ll find a nice walking trail along a pretty lake with lots of birdlife to look out for.
Also nearby is Clifton Country Park. Located alongside the River Irwell the park contains walking and cycling trails with features including a pretty lake, woodland, meadows and an arboretum.
According to the author, the routes consist of tarmacked paths and stone surfaced bridleways. Most paths around Rock Hall (where the visitors centre is) are suitable for buggies and wheelchairs although the lower one towards Cemetery Road is cobbled. The author adds the following note: “Generally the paths to the north (following the canal) are stone surfaced bridleways, which given the occasional hard shove, should be accessible for all pushchairs, but not all wheelchairs. The ones to the south are more formal with better tarmac surfaces. There are some gradients involved in these, but with a bit of effort are accessible to wheelchairs given a strong push.”
We are therefore rating this walk as wheelchair and pushchair-accessible.
How to get there
Moses Gate Country Park is close to both Moses Gate and Farnworth rail stations.
To work out precisely how to get to and from the walk start points, simply click the Google Maps links shown on this page. Then click ‘Directions’ and enter your postcode or location in the relevant field. For public transport options, click the train icon.
