New cycle trail set to pass lake beauty spot
ANEW 800-mile cycle trail will pass through Rochdale as it links the Peak District to Scotland’s most northerly mainland points for the first time.
Launched at the start of September by Cycling UK, the Great North Trail has been created to answer a demand from cyclists for greater access to the countryside on routes largely away from traffic.
The long-distance route will begin in Middleton (in Derbyshire) and finish at John O’Groats - travelling through Littleborough, Hollingworth Lake and Calderbrook as it does.
Around 98 per cent of the Great North Trail is on bridleways, byways, cycle routes, unpaved roads and very low traffic minor roads.
It uses some existing established trails, such as
the Pennine Bridleway and Cross Borders Drove Road, but extensive research has been carried out to link these through a network of trails, forest roads and abandoned railway lines.
Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, community and culture at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This new trail takes in many of the UK’s popular spots and I’m pleased to see this includes some of Rochdale’s stunning countryside. The vast majority of it is off-road which is great news and the more we can do to promote cycling the better.
“Off road trails are great for families too so this is welcome news, especially ahead of the Tour of Britain’s visit to the borough this month.”
The route takes in some of northern England and Scotland’s most iconic spots of natural beauty, running through the Peak District, Yorkshire Dales, Kielder Forest, Corrieyairack Pass, Loch Ness and Cape Wrath.
The development of the route is part of Cycling UK’s on-going work to open up more of the countryside to cyclists, which could have enormous health and economic benefits, and to connect the National and Great Trails of England, Wales and Scotland.
The route is available to view online on the Cycling UK website, where you can find an extensive route guide and downloadable maps, and also on the Ordnance Survey’s online service.
Duncan Dollimore, Head of Campaigns, said: “We’ve created the Great North Trail because we recognised very little has been done to promote national off-road trails.
“For example, plans to extend the Pennine Bridleway to Scotland were published 20 years ago, but still haven’t been implemented.
“And yet we know there is an appetite for more cycling access to the countryside.
“Off-road trails can be ideal for families to ride safely, away from traffic and city pollution.”
The news comes as Rochdale is set to welcome the Tour of Britain next weekend.
British Cycling’s premier road cycling event will race through Rochdale on its final day, providing residents the chance to see the world’s top cyclists up close on Saturday, September 14.