Rivington Pike

Rivington Pike is a moorland summit of 363 m above Rivington, near Horwich in Lancashire, England, topped by a stone tower built in the 18th century. The walk is a circular route of about 6 km with roughly 230 m of ascent, taking two to three hours. It is usually started from the Rivington Hall Barn area, Rivington BL6, where car parking is available. From Liverpool the drive takes about 50 minutes; by public transport, trains run to Horwich Parkway followed by a bus or taxi. No permit is required. The route is rated moderate: the climb is steady rather than technical and involves no scrambling. Surfaces include paved and stone paths, grassy tracks and stretches of rougher moorland trail, which can be wet and muddy after rain. Shade is patchy in the lower gardens and woods but absent on the open summit, where wind and exposure can make weather feel much colder than at the car park. Landmarks include the Terraced Gardens created by Lord Leverhulme on the hillside, the Pike Tower at the top and long views across the Lancashire plain, Liverpool Bay and, in clear conditions, as far as North Wales. Turn-around points are flexible: walkers can stop at the Terraced Gardens, continue to the tower, or loop back by a different path. Cafes and toilets are available near Rivington Hall Barn, but there is no water or shelter on the moor itself apart from the tower's partial cover, so food, water and waterproofs should be carried. In low cloud, route-finding on the moor can be difficult.