Family Rides

Ashton Trail (National Cycle routes 66)

What is it?

An off-road cycle and pedestrian route from Ashton-under-Lyne that heads North to Park Bridge.

Distance

3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

Route

Follow signs and join Turner Lane for 500m (by the Train Station). Join the route of the disused Ashton to Oldham railway line for 3.0 Km to Park Bridge heritage centre at the Oldham boundary.

This is a gentle ride with no surprises; the only encounter with a steep climb is if you continue to the heritage centre.

When completed this National Cycle Route will link the town centres of Ashton-under-Lyne to Oldham, covering a distance of 6 Km.

Look out for

Holden Clough, one of the first nature reserves set-up outside the South East of England; the route opens to great views of the Manchester skyline and the Pennines as you progress northwards; at the end you arrive at the former 18 th century Park Bridge ironworks that made textile machinery.

The Park Bridge Iron Works opened in the 1700's and closed in the 1960's and specialised in manufacturing textile machinery

Getting there

By train or bus to Ashton-under-Lyne follow signs ( Turner Lane is adjacent to the railway station). By car, proceed to the top of Turner Lane.

Further information

Greater Manchester cycle map number 6, http://webgis2.tameside.gov.uk/planaccess/planaccess.asp (click on cycle path), or telephone the Tameside Cycling Officer (0161 342 3906)