THE FOOTNOTES
Every print from Marking The Wild comes with its own trail story, this is yours.
Here you’ll find sketches, route details, reflections from the walk, and a few extra notes I couldn’t quite fit on paper.
Think of it as a companion to the artwork; a small way to step into the moment with me, and maybe take the journey for yourself.
Rivington Pike: Lovingly Led Astray
This is one of those walks that was recommended to me by lots of people so I thought I knew what to expect from Rivington Pike. A pleasant walk up a hill, some good views and a little box shaped building at the top. Nice enough, but probably not much more than that. I was very wrong.
Pika (the dog) and I arrived on a warm May day beneath a blue sky with only a few long, thinning clouds that seemed to point towards things on the horizon. The stepped walk through the woods felt vigorous but ordinary, until the Japanese and Italian gardens revealed themselves. “Well, while we're here…” I thought “…might as well explore”.
Wandering through terraces of foliage, falls, arches and walls proved surprisingly transporting, with quiet pools offering moments of reflection. We reflected until Pika decided to hunt the ducks so we made a speedy departure towards the nearby Pigeon Tower, a beautiful Gothic structure raised above the trees and full of character. This brought us back to the path ready to tackle the climb to our destination… although, we then spotted Fika Rivington coffee spot and thought, “Well, while we're here…”. We arrived two minutes before closing, the coffee machine had already been cleaned, but a cookie provided the necessary sugar rush while Pika received fresh water and a couple of dog biscuits. Suitably bolstered, we tackled the short, steep climb to Pike Tower.
The little hunting lodge I'd underestimated suddenly made more sense, standing amongst panoramic views stretching far beyond the hill. We chatted with a couple sitting on a nearby bench who regularly made the climb simply to sit and take it all in. This should probably have been the point where we headed back. Instead, Pika's nose pointed across the moorland towards Winter Hill and a tall mast that had already begun calling my name too. “Well, while we're here…”. Off we went, entirely underestimating the distance. Cotton grass filled the ground between us and the far-off mast, their white heads dancing in the strong breeze providing rhythm and company in what was an entirely solitary journey and a second steady incline that I wasn’t prepared for.
Winter Hill felt totally different. The mast towers above an almost eerie landscape of fences, warning signs and infrastructure that somehow felt both abandoned and very much watched. I half expected someone, somewhere, to be looking at us through CCTV. We paused, wondered about this strange place, then carried on. The map now teased something called Two Lads. By this point, you can probably guess what happened next?
At the two cairns, slightly squashed cheese sandwiches became afternoon tea while Manchester and countless landmarks spread across the horizon. Then finally, homeward, but even the descent had other ideas. We accidentally strayed onto a mountain bike trail and made a hasty retreat before the bikes came hurtling through. Entirely our fault, and a useful reminder to pay attention to where curiosity takes you. One final surprise waited before the car: Rivington Pinetum, its warm pine scent reaching us before the trees themselves. I realised Rivington Pike had delivered exactly what I'd expected: a hill, a little box shaped tower and a magnificent view.
I just hadn't expected everything else.
Every time you think you've seen what you came for, something else appears on the horizon.
And, well, while you're here, you might as well.
Waypoints Through The Wild
Start: We parked at Rivington Hall Barn car park, turning left out the carpark, up and behind Rivington Hall Barn, down the end of Hall Lane and through a gate into the woods. Cross a small brook before veering left, and then straight on out of the woods, up a wider path with an incline.
Enter the second wooded area and the steps upward, winding through and eventually bringing you to a T-Junction in the path and the Japanese lake. Explore the area at your leisure before retuning to the main path and heading north, up-hill. Soon you’ll approach Lever’s Bridge, with lots of arches. Continue underneath and almost immediately after turning left down and curling back around on yourself to climb the stair case up and cross the bridge which leads you to the Italian Lake. Walk with the lake on your right, and then up the stairs along the wall which brings you to Pigeon Tower.
Turn right, heading south along the main path and notice the wall with distinctive square nesting holes and pigeon/dove compartments built in. Continue straight along this path and pop into Fika Rivington coffee spot on your right if you want a refresh. Back on the main path and directly opposite you will take the steep incline route to the Pike Tower. After enjoying the views head down the opposite side of the tower heading north-east through a gate and across the moors towards the Winter Hill transmitting station. Once here follow the path down, along the Crooked-Edge Clough stream before veering left slightly and down to Two Lads cairns.
At the cairns turn right and down the steeper path heading east, in the direction of Lower Rivington Reservoir. Hook around The Pike Snack Shack and north up Georges lane all the way along, skirting the base of Brown Hill, ignoring the path leading up to it, instead continuing a little further along the road which forks. Take the left road down (Roynton Road) and follow all the way. You may be tempted to take a short steep path on your left, don’t as this is a bike only path. Instead continue all the way along the track until a t-junction, sharp left turn down, followed by the next sharp right turn through the forest. At the next 3 way junction, turn right followed by an quick left down into the Pinetum, down some short stairs and then sharp right.
Finish: Follow the path all the way back to the main entrance road and into the car park.
Sense The Scene
See: cotton grass dancing across the moor, roe deer amongst the quieter woodland, distant landmarks emerging across the horizon.
Hear: water tumbling through the Terraced Gardens, the laughing call of a green woodpecker, spring birdsong amongst the trees.
Smell: warm pine in the Pinetum, damp woodland earth, fresh spring foliage, coffee and something sweet around Fika.
Feel: cooling wind across the exposed moor, uneven stone beneath your boots, grasses brushing against your ankles.
Taste: a hint of pine and peat on the breeze, salt on your lips after the climb, cold water when you've earned it, a last minute cookie from Fika.
Practical Parts
Parking: Several car parks in the area including Rivington Hall Barn car park (which is occosiannly closed for weddings), and plenty car park bays along the main entrace street.
Facilities: Toilets and refreshments can be found at the visitors centre, and the two cafes which are on route although opening times can be limited.
Hazards: The Terraced Gardens are steep, with numerous steps and uneven paths, which can become slippery in wet or frosty conditions. Take particular care around marked mountain bike trails and avoid walking on dedicated cycle routes. The section towards Winter Hill is much more exposed than the sheltered gardens below, so carry suitable layers and check conditions before setting out.