FOR many, their daily walks have been a lifeline during lockdown.
It’s one of the only times we are allowed to leave the house and get some fresh air.
However, there are rules surrounding these daily walks.
The current government lockdown rules state that you can only leave the house to exercise (alone, with your household or with your support bubble) once a day and you must not leave your local area to do so.
Luckily for Boltonians, there are plenty of gorgeous walking routes right on the doorstep.
If you want to change up your daily walking route, here are five local walks you can complete in less than an hour:
Hall Lee Bank Park
(Photo: Geograph/Jim Barton)
Walking routes in Hall Lee Bank Park are incredibly eclectic, benefitting from both woodland areas and a smoother area with tarmac paths.
The main walking route is only two miles long in total and is suitable for wheelchair uses, as there aren’t any steps.
Those with buggies might also enjoy this walk- but prepare for a bit of a workout as there are some uphill areas.
You can find the full walking route here.
Seven Acres Country Park, Tonge Fold
This short walk is a two mile loop near Bolton- and it’s a fantastic little walking route if you are hoping to spot some wildlife.
The walk begins on Bury Road and a lot of walkers park their vehicle at the Wildlife Trust car park.
The pond behind the Wildlife Trust building is home to moorhens, ducks and kingfishers- you might be able to spot some during your walk.
According to the Friends of Seven Acres website, there are more than 109 species of bird at the site and bats have also been spotted in the area.
Moses Gate Country Park
(Photo: Geograph/ David Dixonv)
This park is three miles south of the town centre and is a circular route.
This walking route is only 2.5 miles long- and it’s also suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs as most paths are smooth.
Best of all, there are several large ponds to admire in the park and plenty of wildlife living amongst the trees.
The terrain is medium, but be prepared to build up a sweat as you travel up and down hills.
You can download this route on the Walks With Wheelchairs website.
Royton Lane
If you are looking for a relatively east walk that is suitable for all skill levels, then the Royton Lane walking route is the ideal choice.
It’s only around 1.5 miles long and is a circular route that will take you back to exactly where you started.
If you wanted to walk further, you could extend your walk to the Rivington Pike or even explore the nearby Japanese gardens.
However, some people who have embarked on the walk said the terrain is a little rocky, especially on the way back down.
Others say the rough terrain is worth it, with one skilled walker getting great views of Blackpool Tower during her journey.
You can view the trail for yourself on All Trails.com
Longsight Park, Harwood
(Photo: Geograph/ Philip Platt)
This walking route is considered to be one of Bolton’s hidden gems.
In this park, your walk can be anywhere from 0.5-3 miles long- but the Kingfisher Trail footpath between the arboretum and the main area of Longsight Park is not suitable for those with limited mobility.
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust as it is the perfect place to “brush up on your tree identification” as it is home to an arboretum filled with more than 39 species of tree.
Keep your eyes on the river as four key water birds are know to flock to it: the dipper, grey wagtail, grey heron and the jewel of our rivers, the kingfisher.
Where is your favourite walking route in Bolton? Let us know in the comments.
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