There is no finer feeling than exploring the great outdoors in the beautiful autumn sunshine.

Whether it's a quiet stroll or strenuous hike, nothing quite blows those cobwebs away like a few hours up on the moors.

And Bolton is perfectly placed for a host of great walks, as CAIT NAVEN discovered.

Here are five of the best to get stuck into this autumn...

Rivington Pike, Rivington BL6 7SB

 

There is no more iconic walk around Bolton than the popular hike up Rivington Pike.

With its Japanese gardens, manmade caves and the Liverpool Castle folly on the banks of Rivington Reservoir, there is plenty to keep you busy on this family-friendly jaunt.

Finishing off at Rivington Pike Tower, with clear weather there are views of Cheshire, the Lake District and even the Isle of Man.

Did you know the hill was recorded as Rovyng in 1325 and Rivenpike in about 1540?

At 1,191 feet (363 metres) high, the Pike is the most westerly high point of Winter Hill in the West Pennine Moors.

The pike tower is a grade II listed building. The tower is square in plan with sides of 16 feet in length and is 20 feet high.

Gaddings Dam, Todmorden

 

This hidden gem, dubbed ‘the secret beach’, is the highest beach in the UK with clear waters and no tide or current.

The dam is an 1833 earth embankment dam located on top of the moors between Todmorden and Walsden. There is no road access but it can reached by a steep hike on a rough footpath to the top of the moors.

The nearest vehicle access point is the Shepherd’s Rest pub on Lumbutts road.

Peel Tower, Ramsbottom

Lovely purple heather below Peel Tower on a summer day .Picture by Adam taylor.Lovely purple heather below Peel Tower on a summer day .Picture by Adam taylor.

Peel Tower stands tall at the top of Holcombe Hill in Ramsbottom.

The well-known landmark pays tribute to Sir Robert Peel, the two-time Prime Minister and son of wealthy Bury cotton mill owners.

Enjoy a leisurely stroll or climb straight to the top where you will be rewarded with stunning views overlooking Manchester and as far away as North Wales.

Irwell Sculpture Trail ,Moss Street, Bury BL9 0DF

 

Irwell Sculpture Trail is the largest sculpture route in the UK stretching across 33 miles through Salford, Bury and Rossendale.

This family-friendly free day out explores local heritage, cultural attractions, art galleries and of course the landscape itself. If you are not up to the whole trail, it can be split into shorter sections.

Hollingworth Lake, Rakewood Road, Rochdale OL15 0AQ

 

Hollingworth Lake offers a lovely circular walk around the calming, still waters of Littleborough in Rochdale.

Whilst visiting the lake you can also stop for some food and drink from a selection of cafes, pubs, restaurants, and even stay over at a Bed & Breakfast or a caravan site nearby.

- Next week we want your favourite churches around Bolton? There are some stunning examples. Email your favourites to newsdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk