Hollingworth Lake is a prominent reservoir situated near Littleborough in Greater Manchester, offering a diverse landscape for outdoor pursuits. This area features a 130-acre (53 ha) lake, providing expansive views of the South Pennines and a mix of flat, accessible paths alongside more challenging moorland and hill trails. The region's geography, characterized by its lakeside environment and surrounding Pennine foothills, makes it suitable for several sports like road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, jogging, and more. Its blend of natural beauty and historical significance creates a varied backdrop for outdoor activities.
Hollingworth Lake provides numerous routes for outdoor enthusiasts, with more than 72,000 visitors having shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.61 out of 5 stars. For those interested in walking or running, the lake features a mostly flat, hard-surfaced circular path of approximately 2.5 miles (4 km), with options extending into the surrounding moorlands for more challenging hikes and jogs. Cyclists can explore both flat lakeside stretches and undulating roads in the nearby hills, with specific routes available for different disciplines. Discover detailed options for Road Cycling Routes around Hollingworth Lake, Hiking around Hollingworth Lake, and Running Trails around Hollingworth Lake to plan your next adventure.
133
Routes
4.7
(262)
Average rating
4778
People visited

4.7
(29)
950
hikers
4.29km
01:06
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(17)
117
hikers
17.3km
04:54
380m
380m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(9)
94
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(12)
88
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(19)
453
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
140
riders
52.4km
02:42
640m
640m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

88
riders
38.8km
02:04
730m
730m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(5)
70
riders
27.1km
01:21
240m
240m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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5.0
(9)
224
riders
37.8km
02:27
420m
420m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(16)
64
riders
39.0km
02:20
130m
130m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(5)
66
riders
44.6km
02:50
490m
490m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
68
riders
27.2km
01:49
210m
210m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(10)
169
runners
5.07km
00:32
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

85
runners
10.6km
01:07
80m
80m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
137
runners
17.2km
02:03
410m
410m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

53
runners
26.8km
02:51
180m
180m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.9
(8)
42
riders
37.6km
02:39
470m
470m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.7
(3)
38
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.5
(2)
15
riders
37.1km
03:16
850m
850m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

3.0
(1)
17
riders
23.1km
01:40
250m
250m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
13
riders
34.8km
02:41
740m
740m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
25.7km
01:48
320m
320m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
riders
21.0km
01:20
240m
240m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
13
riders
33.3km
01:57
320m
320m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Hollingworth Lake offers a variety of outdoor activities including road cycling, hiking, touring cycling, jogging, mountain biking, and gravel biking. Water sports such as kayaking, sailing, and windsurfing are also available. The area provides both flat lakeside paths and more challenging routes in the surrounding hills.
Yes, Hollingworth Lake features several hiking trails, including a mostly flat, hard-surfaced circular path around the lake, approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) long. More challenging routes extend into the surrounding moorlands and hills. Find more details on Hiking around Hollingworth Lake.
Hollingworth Lake offers road cycling opportunities ranging from flat lakeside stretches to undulating roads in the nearby Pennine hills. Cyclists can explore varied terrains suitable for different preferences. A comprehensive guide to Road Cycling Routes around Hollingworth Lake is available.
Hollingworth Lake Country Park is designed for all ages, offering family-friendly activities like picnicking, wildlife discovery, and easy walks. The circular path around the lake is suitable for families. Specific Family-friendly hikes around Hollingworth Lake are also available.
Yes, Hollingworth Lake has options for dog owners. There are specific routes designated as dog-friendly, allowing companions to join on walks and hikes. Explore Dog-friendly hikes around Hollingworth Lake for suitable paths.
The main circular path around Hollingworth Lake is mostly flat and hard-surfaced, spanning approximately 2.5 miles (4 km). This route is suitable for jogging, leisurely walks, and touring cycling. Longer routes extend into the surrounding countryside.
Mountain biking is available at Hollingworth Lake, with options catering to various skill levels from beginner to expert. The Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre offers mountain biking for pre-booked groups. Consult the MTB Trails around Hollingworth Lake guide for more information.
Routes at Hollingworth Lake have received an average rating of 4.61 out of 5 stars from more than 6,000 komoot users. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among visitors. Over 72,000 visitors have shared their experiences in the region.
Touring cyclists can find routes that combine flat lakeside stretches with more undulating roads in the surrounding hills. The hard-surfaced path around the lake is also suitable for touring. A dedicated guide for Cycling around Hollingworth Lake is available.
Yes, Hollingworth Lake offers easy hiking options, including the accessible circular path around the lake. These routes are generally flat and suitable for those seeking less strenuous walks. Refer to the Easy hikes around Hollingworth Lake guide for details.
Hollingworth Lake is a 130-acre (53 ha) reservoir originally constructed in the early 19th century to supply water to the Rochdale Canal. In Victorian times, it became a popular tourist resort known as 'The Weighvers' Seaport.' It was developed into Hollingworth Lake Country Park in 1974.
The Hollingworth Lake Activity Centre can be contacted by phone at 01706 922132 or 01706 370499. Additional information is available on the official website, which can be found via the Visit Rochdale page.

