Uppermill and the Saddleworth Moors Circular
Greater Manchester
Starting from the canalside village of Uppermill, this dog friendly circular climbs out of the Tame valley and up onto the wild expanse of Saddleworth Moor, with sweeping gritstone edges, old packhorse tracks, and the landmark Pots and Pans monument overlooking the villages below. It is a proper taste of the South Pennines: big skies, peat, heather, and the stone walls that thread down into the surrounding Saddleworth settlements.
Dogs are welcome throughout the route, but the upper moors are active sheep grazing country so leads are essential once you leave the village edge, particularly between March and July during lambing and ground nesting bird season. Underfoot is mixed, cobbled lanes and canal towpath low down, then rougher grass, peat, and gritstone paths higher up that can be boggy after rain. Parking is on street in Uppermill or at the village car parks off High Street, and there are pubs, cafes, and toilets in the village for a post walk pint and drying off.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr
- Walk Type
- Moorland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Pubs, cafes, shops, and public toilets in Uppermill at the start and finish, nothing on the moors.
- Parking
- On street parking in Uppermill and a pay and display car park off High Street, OL3 6HQ.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uppermill and the Saddleworth Moors Circular dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome throughout this circular walk, which earns a 7 out of 10 for dog friendliness. It takes you from the canalside village of Uppermill up onto the open Saddleworth Moors, with a good mix of canal towpath, cobbled lanes, and moorland paths to keep things interesting for you and your dog.
Can dogs be off lead at Uppermill and the Saddleworth Moors Circular?
There is some scope for off-lead walking on the lower sections around Uppermill, but leads are essential once you reach the upper moors, which are active sheep grazing country. This is especially important between March and July during lambing and ground nesting bird season, so it is worth keeping that in mind when planning your visit.
What should I know before visiting Uppermill and the Saddleworth Moors Circular with my dog?
The terrain changes considerably as you gain height — it starts on canal towpath and cobbled lanes before giving way to rougher grass, peat, and gritstone paths that can get boggy after rain, so sturdy footwear is a good idea for you both. There are no facilities once you leave Uppermill, but the village itself has pubs, cafes, shops, and public toilets, making it easy to sort out parking, refreshments, and a warm-up at the end.
What’s Nearby?
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