Easy hikes and walks around Rossendale

Rossendale offers a wide selection of easy hiking trails. This guide alone features over 100 easy routes, providing numerous options for exploring the region's diverse landscape.

Easy hikes in Rossendale typically navigate upland terrain, featuring open moorland, gritstone geology, and picturesque valleys carved by rivers. You'll also find paths around numerous reservoirs and through woodlands on valley slopes. The routes are generally well-defined and suitable for most abilities.

Yes, Rossendale is home to several beautiful natural features. The Healey Dell Viaduct – Healey Dell Viaduct loop from Whitworth, for instance, explores the Healey Dell Nature Reserve, which is renowned for its spectacular waterfalls and the River Spodden carving delightful scenery. You can also discover other natural monuments like Buckden Wood and Fairies Chapel.

Many easy trails in Rossendale are ideal for families. Routes around the reservoirs, such as the Clough Head Visitor Centre – Calf Hey Reservoir Loop loop from Calf Hey Reservoir, offer relatively flat and accessible paths. Healey Dell Nature Reserve also features a disused railway line transformed into a nature trail, perfect for a family stroll.

Yes, many of Rossendale's easy hiking trails are dog-friendly. The open moorland and reservoir paths provide ample space for dogs to enjoy. However, always keep dogs under control, especially near livestock or in nature reserves, and check for any specific local restrictions.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are generally considered the best times for hiking in Rossendale. During these seasons, the weather is typically pleasant, and the landscape offers vibrant scenery, from spring blooms to autumn colours.

Yes, many of the easy trails in Rossendale are designed as circular routes, allowing you to start and end at the same point. Examples include the Healey Dell Viaduct loop and the Calf Hey Reservoir Loop, making planning convenient.

The easy trails in Rossendale are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 300 reviews. Hikers often praise the diverse landscapes, from tranquil reservoirs to dramatic moorlands, and the well-maintained paths that make for enjoyable and accessible walks.

Rossendale's landscape is rich with history. Along easy routes, you might discover historical remnants like the Cheesden Lumb Mill Ruins and Waterfall. The Musbury Tor area also offers scenic views and historical context. The Irwell Sculpture Trail, though longer, also features unique art installations along the river.

The duration of easy hikes in Rossendale varies, but many can be completed within 1 to 2 hours. For example, the Healey Dell Viaduct loop is about 1 hour 40 minutes, while the Calf Hey Reservoir Loop takes approximately 1 hour.

Parking is generally available near popular trailheads and visitor centres in Rossendale, especially around areas like the Haslingden Grane Area of Special Landscape, which serves the Calf Hey, Ogden, and Holden Wood Reservoirs. It's always advisable to check specific starting points for parking information.

While some areas of Rossendale are accessible by public transport, it's best to research specific bus routes and stops that align with your chosen trailhead. The region's extensive trail network means some more remote starting points might require a short taxi ride from the nearest public transport hub.