Colin Liptrot is sharing his passion for nature with others who want to enjoy the great outdoors.

The Wingates native has been a bassist, a songwriter and a music promoter at venues like Ye Olde Man and Scythe.

But he found his passion drifting toward nature as he was looking for something else.

Colin, 39, says: “I found out I was enjoying going out in the mountains a lot more.

“It was making me have a different perspective on life”.

He always liked hiking in the great outdoors.

Colin Liptrot (right) and five people on a hikeColin Liptrot (right) and five people on a hike (Image: Colin Liptrot)

Colin Liptrot says: “I have run a walking group for 13 years, The Bolton Walking and Outdoors Appreciation Society. It's been very successful, we usually get 50 people coming a week”.

Last year, he qualified as a Mountain Leader and made it a profession. And founded Moors to Mountains Guided Walking Adventures.

He guides people of any ability on hiking experiences across the North West. Whether into the Yorkshire Dales, the Lake District or Peak District.

This is mainly at weekends.

Colin says: “A lot of people book because they are nervous around navigating the hills or don’t feel comfortable going by themselves.

“I try to make it informative. There’s a lot of history, whether the Romans, Vikings, or Saxons who settled here, the Neolithic period or industrial revolution.

“There’s also a lot of interesting wildlife”.

right: Colin Liptrot (centre) with two hikersright: Colin Liptrot (centre) with two hikers (Image: Colin Liptrot)

His hikes can be up the challenging mountains or easier hills.

He says: “I just had a group in Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England and another up Helvellyn the second highest.

“I also run a lot of walks around Bolton in the West Pennine Moors and up Rivington angles”.

Colin sees that people going on his walks crave time in nature.  

He says: “A lot of people need a bit of respite from urban life. Work and family can be stressful.

(Image: Colin Liptrot)

“The NHS is pushing green social prescribing. Instead of taking pharmaceuticals, people can get out in nature and have a bit of physical and mental exercise.

“It helps physically and psychologically”.

Colin also provides opportunities to give back.

He is organising a charity walk on September 15 to raise funds for Bolton Mountain Rescue, Rivington Heritage Trust and the Woodland Trust. It will cover the Three Towers Route from Ramsbottom to Horwich.

To go on Colin’s guided walking adventures, go to www.moorstomountains.co.uk