Knowl Hill

Knowl Hill is a captivating oasis, offering a delightful escape from the urban hustle and bustle. Nestled amidst rolling hills and serene landscapes, it provides a perfect retreat for those seeking a break from city life. The peaceful ambiance invites you to unwind through leisurely walks, surrounded by nature's beauty. This hidden gem is a breath of fresh air, where the tranquility of the countryside meets the charm of a quaint village. Knowl Hill stands as a compelling destination for a refreshing respite from the urban grind, whether you crave a moment of quiet reflection or a peaceful stroll.

Easy enough short walk from by Owd Betts. Can get very boggy in winter and after wet weather. Gradual incline until the last 500n which is fairly steep.Great panoramic view on a clear day. Walk down the hill towards the reservoirs at Naden recommended for beautiful views.

Convenient place to get a spot of fresh air and a quick ramble. View from the road is great and even better if you climb the hill. Allow about an hour to get to the top and then come back down to the car park through the wind turbines. Owd Bets pub is a landmark and we'll worth dropping in.Lost a ⭐ due to the kids on rambler bikes chewing up the trails which means your probably going to get a bit wet/muddy and the of decision to put a wire fence along the main road which spoils the view and currently does nothing to deter the bikes. Hopefully they put some gates in to stop the bikes.

It’s only around a mile if you are parked at the reservoir near Owd Betts.If you have clear skies you have beautiful views and can easily see Manchester.

Not far too walk from Owed Betts. Up to the windfarms and then across. Worth the views for the short steep walk up Knowl hill. Fantastic views into Manchester and Rochdale. Bonus on the way back with a coffee and bacon butty from the van.

I have been walking / mountain biking up and down here for about 20 years now, great place great views. And was an amazing place to see the fireworks on the new year of the millennium.Once on the top you can find a path down to green booth on the other side and loop back up to parking via Norden village.

Great views! Makes Holcombe look teeny. It was lovely to be so high with uninterrupted vistas. There are lots of different trail options all around the hill. Lucky enough to see and hear a Skylark at the top and also watch a Bird of Prey flying around. Got a good day for the weather, so spent a bit of time on the top soaking in the views.

Magnificent wall for the family. The views are to die for, lots of space to stroll and think. Loved this walk this afternoon what a father's day treat, fresh air with family. Would highly recommend this for a walk with the family. Not easy if you are slightly unstable on your feet.

20/11/22: photo update only [circa October 2015]03/10/22: been up here quite a few times walking the dog. Free parking on Edenfield Road, close to Owd Betts pub, postcode: OL12 7TY. Walk directly up and around following the footpaths. Can be muddy and wet in Autumn/Winter and bear in mind if you deviate off the path, it is moorland peat and becomes waterlogged. Scout Moor Wind Turbines also accessible.Knowl Hill near Rochdale is a visible landmark that can be seen for several miles around and, for the people of that town, it has been for a long time now the place to go walking on Sundays and during the summer holidays. The sugar-loaf (conical-shaped) hill has a flat summit that is topped by an Ordnance Survey concrete triangulation pillar, and is 419m (1374) feet above sea-level. It is about 1 mile to the east of Edenfield Road (A680) along a couple of good moorland footpaths; and it overlooks the Ashworth Moor reservoir and the haunted Owd Betts public house, while just downslope to the southeast it overlooks the village of Red Lumb, the hamlet of Wolstenholme, Greenbooth Reservoir, and the village of Norden. To the northwest, the hill stands as a sentinel over the area known as Cheesden with its windswept moors and, further along, it is more distant from Facit and Turn Village, while to the west of Knowl Hill there is Wind Hill and the Ashworth Valley beyond.Around 12,000 years ago, or more, there would have been a huge glacier covering the moors to the north of Rochdale and, Knowl Hill itself was probably covered by this, and then shaped when the glacier retreated. Then around 10,000 years ago what is now the town of Rochdale, in the valley below, was covered by a huge glacial lake; and some 4,000 years ago when the climate was much warmer ancient people were settling on the higher parts of the area, like Knowl Hill and the surrounding moors. We know for instance that there are two prehistoric burial mounds at Wind Hill over to the west of Knowl Hill; there have also been many finds of 'ancient antiquity' on and around Knowl Hill and also on the moorland around Rochdale and Bury. One find, in particular, a Bronze Age axe or palstave was excavated when the Ashworth Moor Reservoir was being dug in 1905.There is a curious ditch-like feature running in a north-westerly direction from the bottom of the hill, but its purpose is unknown. In the 19th century cotton and calico mills began to encroach in the Ashworth Valley and the Norden area, but these were relatively short-lived as by the early 20th century they were on their way out, never to return.[photos my own, but historic text courtesy of RayS57, Blogger profile 12584026517514923721]