Mary Towneley Loop

Page originally written 2003 and not cycled by myself, The Mary Towneley Loop is a 68 km (42 mile) circular route which forms part of the Pennine Bridleway National Trail. The Mary Towneley Loop takes you on a journey through the South Pennines on the Lancashire and Yorkshire borders.
Twelve miles north of Manchester, the route passes over open moorland close to Watergrove Reservoir and the town of Rochdale. The Trail follows an old packhorse route from Bottomley to Erringdon with views across the Calder Valley and descends towards the historic town of Hebden Bridge. Between Widdop and Hurstwood Reservoirs, the ancient Gorple Road crosses open countryside providing splendid views towards Burnley. The Trail follows the Rossendale Valley to the small town of Waterfoot, climbing again to meet another historic route, Rooley Moor Road near Rochdale built with stone sets to provide work during the cotton famine in the 1860's.

                                  

The Mary Towneley Loop is dedicated to the memory of Lady Mary Towneley who first conceived the idea of a long distance route over the Pennines for riders, and campaigned for the Pennine Bridleway for many years. Lady Mary Towneley unfortunately died in February 2001 after a long and bravely fought illness.


Source: http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/penninebridleway/sectionone.htm