The 20 Most Amazing Peaks around North Turton

The North Turton area, part of the West Pennine Moors, features several notable high points. Winter Hill is the most prominent, known for its panoramic views and the TV mast. Other significant elevations include Turton Heights and Turton Moor. Popular viewpoints and landmarks include Rivington Pike Tower, Darwen Tower (Jubilee Tower), and the Winter Hill Summit and TV Mast itself.

Yes, the peaks in North Turton are rich in history. Winter Hill is notable for the 1896 Winter Hill Mass Trespass and memorials to aircraft crashes. On Turton Heights, you can find the remains of a Bronze Age stone circle at Cheetham Close. Additionally, Rivington Pike Tower, built in 1733, and Darwen Tower (Jubilee Tower), erected in 1898, are significant historical monuments offering public access and stunning views.

From the peaks around North Turton, you can expect extensive panoramic views that, on a clear day, can stretch across the West Pennine Moors to Liverpool, the M6, Welsh fells, and the Forest of Bowland. The landscape is characterized by elevated moorland, and areas like Turton Moor feature unique natural boulder formations such as The Hanging Stone and The Big Grey Stones. The region is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, supporting diverse wildlife.

The area around North Turton's peaks offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can explore numerous hiking trails, with options ranging from easy to moderate. For example, there are routes like the Turton & Entwistle Reservoir loop. Mountain biking and road cycling are also popular, with trails such as the Rivington Pike, The Pigeon Tower and Anglezarke Reservoir loop for MTB, and the Entwistle Reservoir – The Strawberry Duck loop for touring bicycles. You can find more details on these activities in the hiking guide, MTB trails guide, and cycling guide for North Turton.

Yes, there are family-friendly options. Many trails leading to viewpoints like Rivington Pike Tower are suitable for families. The Rivington Terraced Gardens, associated with Winter Hill, also offer pleasant walks with great views. When planning, consider routes with easier difficulty grades, such as the 'easy' rated Turton & Entwistle Reservoir loop, which is 4.7 km long.

The West Pennine Moors, including North Turton, are beautiful year-round, but the best time to visit for hiking is generally during the drier months from late spring to early autumn (May to October). During these periods, trails are less likely to be boggy, and you'll have a better chance of clear panoramic views. However, be prepared for changeable weather, as conditions on the open moorland can shift quickly.

The difficulty of trails to the peaks around North Turton varies. Many routes are considered intermediate, such as those leading to Rivington Pike Tower or Winter Hill Summit. Some paths, especially on Turton Moor, can be vague and boggy in wet conditions, offering a more remote and challenging experience. There are also easier, well-maintained paths around reservoirs that provide access to the wider moorland environment.

Yes, many trails around North Turton's peaks are dog-friendly. The West Pennine Moors are a popular area for dog walking. However, as much of the area is open moorland and farmland, it's important to keep dogs under close control, especially during lambing season or when near livestock and ground-nesting birds. Always follow local signage and regulations regarding dog access.

While Winter Hill and Rivington Pike are well-known, Turton Moor offers a more remote feel. Here, you can explore unique natural boulder formations like The Hanging Stone and The Big Grey Stones, which are impressive weathered grit-stone features. The moor also provides a less-trafficked experience for those seeking solitude and a blend of industrial archaeology and prehistoric remains.

Visitors frequently praise the superb views and the sense of history. For instance, Rivington Pike Tower is loved for its great trails and superb views. Darwen Tower (Jubilee Tower) is highlighted for its amazing 360-degree views and the historical significance of its public access. The overall appeal lies in the combination of natural beauty, historical landmarks, and diverse walking opportunities.

Yes, in the wider West Pennine Moors area, you can also find Peel Tower. Built in 1852 in memory of Sir Robert Peel, this monument offers incredible views, especially on clear days, stretching over Manchester and towards the coast. It's open to the public about once a month, indicated by a flag flying from its top.

The Winter Hill Summit and TV Mast features a trig point at its 456-meter elevation. Another notable location is Knowl Hill Trig Points near Rochdale, which has an Ordnance Survey concrete triangulation pillar at its 419-meter summit, offering expansive views over reservoirs and surrounding villages.