Services A-Z
Walking in and Around Bollington
Bollington is beautifully situated on the edge of the Peak District, surrounded by spectacular countryside and served by a comprehensive network of footpaths just crying out to be explored. Its industrial history can be appreciated from many of the local walks, not least the towpath alongside the Macclesfield Canal and the Middlewood Way which provides a safe walking, cycling and horseriding route along the former Macclesfield to Marple Railway. Whether you wish to be part of a serious walking group, join in with a sociable ramble or explore the countryside by yourself there is something for everyone.
Bollington is part of the Walkers are Welcome Network
This means that we aim to:
- be attractive for walkers with excellent information on local walks
- ensure that footpaths and facilities for walkers are maintained, improved and well signposted
- contribute to local tourism plans and regeneration strategies
- promote the health benefits of walking and increase participation
- encourage the use of public transport
We have window stickers available for local businesses to display to communicate to walkers that they are welcome to visit.
For more information, please contact the Bridgend Centre, either on 01625 576311 or [email protected]
Local Organised Walks
Walks from The Bridgend Centre SK10 5PW
The Bridgend Centre run regular short, moderate and longer walks taking in points of interest and local history along the way. These graded circular morning walks start and finish at the Centre unless otherwise stated. There is a modest charge which includes refreshments back at the Centre.
In the summer months they also run evening “Walks for Health” designed to encourage new walkers. These are less than 2 miles in length, with no stiles and with gentle slopes.
These walking programs can be found on the Bridgend Centre Guided Walks Page
Cheshire East Council Ranger Service Walks
The Rangers run a large number of varied and interesting events, across Cheshire East, throughout the year and this includes a number of guided walks. The Cheshire East Council Countryside Ranger Service event programme can be found, organised by month, via the menu on the Rangers Events Page. (Booking required)
East Cheshire Ramblers Walks
The Ramblers organise regular walks in varying lengths and degrees of difficulty. To find out more and how to get involved you can visit the East Cheshire Ramblers About Us webpage
Walking Trails
There are two town walking trails called Majestic Mills and Yesterday’s Folk. These are available as paper copies from Bollington Discovery Centre. The Centre has limited opening hours. There are also walking trails which venture into the surrounding countryside from the town, and those which pass through the town as part of a much larger trail.
Bridgend Centre Walking Trails
The Bridgend Centre has two sets of walking trails; the Bridgend Heritage Trails and the Bridgend Tree Trails.
You can buy paper versions containing maps and detailed directions from the Centre. Each trail has beautiful illustrations and pencil drawings of the local area. Written descriptions include reminiscences by local people about the sights and waypoints that walkers will see along the walk.
You can also download the trails from the Bridgend Centre walking trails page
The Gritstone Trail
More adventurous walkers could walk all or part of the Gritstone Trail. There are stunning views in all directions from the gritstone ridges abutting the Cheshire plain. On a clear day you’ll see views to the Welsh hills and the cathedrals of Liverpool.
The whole trail is 35 miles (56km) from Disley to Kidsgrove and includes the Kerridge Ridge. The trail itself is linear and split into 3 sections but parts of it also make up some of the local circular walks.
You can download a copy of the trail from the Cheshire East Council Gritstone Trail page
The Peak District Boundary Walk
Bollington is located on the edge of the Peak District and forms part of the beautiful 200 mile circular Peak District Boundary Walk created by the Friends of the Peak District Group. It stretches from the moorland tops of the South Pennines to the gentle limestone scenery of the Derbyshire Dales and embraces the urban edges of Sheffield and Oldham, as well as Staffordshire’s rugged moorland and the undulating slopes of Cheshire.
To find out more about the walk (Bollington is included in Stage 18 & 19) please visit the Peak District Boundary Walk Page
Walking Maps and Downloads
Footpath Maps
The Ordnance Survey Explorer Map for the Area is number 268. It can be purchased online or from some of the larger book shops locally.
Parish Path Maps are available for Bollington and the surrounding towns of Rainow, Pott Shrigley and Prestbury from the Discovery Centre and Bridgend Centre. You may need more than one Parish Paths Map to complete a walk which straddles the boundaries.
Cheshire East Council Interactive Mapping
There are many walking apps which can be used as maps for taking a walk. Cheshire East Council is the responsible body for the public rights of way in the area and these are all accurately mapped out in purple on the Cheshire East Council Public Map Viewer.
Walks to Download
Bollington Outdoors Walks to Download. The Happy-Valley website is now home to the excellent selection of walks from this website. Includes walks of differing lengths and difficulties and some pleasant pub walks.
Circular Walks from Adlington Road Car Park. 4 different circular walks from Adlington Road car park.
Walking in Cheshire. This website has brought together a number of downloadable walks in the area ranging from simple maps with basic directions to detailed route plans with historical information