Rowarth river & moorland loop

Start and finish at The Little Mill Inn, walk beside Rowarth Brook up the wooded valley (known as Little Switzerland to the locals) and then head uphill to the moors above Rowarth for amazing views of The Peak District, Kinder Scout and the Cheshire plain.

Technical sheet

n°4901303
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.15 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 137 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 134 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 308 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 203 m
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Rowarth Brook
Rowarth

Description of the walk

(S/E) Starting at The Little Mill Inn, walk up the lane/path at the side of the pair of cottages next to the car park, follow until you reach an old red phone box.

(1) Take the path on the right just after the phone box. Walk until you reach a stile and lane. Cross straight over to another stile and follow the path by the river for 1/4 mile until you reach an old farm track with a ford on your right hand side. Cross the ford and follow until you reach a tarmac lane.

(2) Walk up the lane for 300 yards or so until you see a sign for The Pennine Bridleway on your right.

(3) Turn right and follow this bridleway until you reach Blackshaw Farm on your left and a signpost.

(4) Turn right in to the field and follow the path straight ahead for about 3/4 mile until you reach a junction on the path with a sharp right hand turn.

(5) Take the right hand turn and follow the path until you reach a tarmac lane, walk down the lane and you will arrive back at The Little Mill Inn.(S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 203 m - The Little Mill Inn, pub, restaurant, B&B
  2. 1 : km 0.39 - alt. 217 m - Phone box
  3. 2 : km 1.14 - alt. 245 m - Tarmac lane
  4. 3 : km 1.83 - alt. 308 m - Bridleway
  5. 4 : km 3.03 - alt. 288 m - Blackshaw Farm
  6. 5 : km 3.99 - alt. 296 m - Sharp right turn
  7. S/E : km 5.15 - alt. 203 m - The Little Mill Inn, pub, restaurant, B&B

Practical information

You can be almost guaranteed mud walking by the Rowarth Brook.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
TheBakers
TheBakers

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We are not (yet) experienced hikers but we did this well under the 1 hour 50 minutes suggested. Lovely walk, a couple of steep-ish climbs, one on tarmac, one on rugged terrain. We did it in January so it was very muddy, by the brook and in a couple of other places. Pleasant walk with some nice views in the higher places. And a lovely pub at the end, consider booking a table.
rick48
rick48

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very nice short walk (2 hrs) can be wet in places. pub serves great food will do it again.
Drabble
Drabble

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Pleasant walk which ends at a pub which is always good! Make sure you have good footwear, walking boots or wellies as it is very very muddy and wet in places. Some of the paths are very uneven.
Great views over the moorland and if you have a dog, most of the walk can be done off lead if your dog has good recall.
Hikereyes
Hikereyes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Excellent little walk and ideal for a family. Very good directions

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