HERE'S a local walk to blow the New Year cobwebs away. From Moses Gate Country Park we head west to historic Ringley village, via the canal location used in Bolton's famous film, Spring and Port Wine starring James Mason.

The walk continues through woodlands above the Irwell Valley before joining a disused railway line back to the site of Ringley train station and returning along the "top" level of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal, which offers panoramic views of Bolton and Winter Hill.

The towpath and railway routes make this a nice easy level walk for much of its length, though it may be boggy in places.

DISTANCE: 8 miles

START: Moses Gate Country Park car park, Farnworth, off the A6053 (OS Grid Ref 743068)

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: 524 bus service Bolton-Little Lever-Bury.

START at the lower car park and walk up through the gateway to prominent Rock Hall, now an information centre. Continue along the cobbled bridleway which leads uphill to the right of Rock Hall. This passes Farnworth Cemetery on the right and continue straight ahead past the cemetery and allotments along the path which drops down to overlook a weir upon the River Croal. Turn right here and continue along the riverside path heading towards the footbridge over the river. This is reached via climbing a steep set of wooden steps and then a high path which drops down to the footbridge.

Cross the footbridge and follow the main path which crosses Nob End nature reserve to reach a gate and kissing gate on the far side of the scrubland. Go through this and turn right, joining the towpath of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal. The bridge and canal here was used in the 1970's "Spring and Port Wine" with James Mason and Diana Coupland. Continue along the towpath crossing over the Irwell and passing under a bridge. The canal side is now followed for a mile to the main A667 road. The canal eventually becomes overgrown and disappears in woodland (though it is set to be restored!) but a muddy path leads through trees to reach the road to the left of a bridge over the Irwell.

Cross the road and -- almost directly opposite -- steps lead down a steep bank to join a wooded path next to the river. The path leads to the road by the Horseshoe Inn. Cross the road and join the footpath starting on the left hand side of the pub. This path passes the church on the right and leads to a crossroads of tracks by a lamppost. Continue straight ahead at this point and the path eventually joins an access lane. Bear left along the lane and pass a garden centre on the right. When the sewage works is reached bear left away from the river and follow a path which keeps the boundary fence of the works to your immediate right.

Follow this path for mile until it is joined by a path on the left hand side which runs uphill to a crossroads of routes at the disused railway line. If this is missed, then the line can be joined slightly further along as the lower path and the old railway both meet the M62. Turn left along the railway (the 1846 East Lancashire railway closed in the 1960s) and head back in the direction of Ringley. The line is followed for 1 miles and passes under a road bridge before reaching the platform of the disused Ringley Road Station. Leave the line on the left at this point along a path next to the platform which runs up to Wood Street. At the main road turn right for a short distance and take care to cross it near the sharp right bend so you can join a path which starts on the opposite side of the bend -- signed as the entrance to Giant's Seat Scout Camp.

This lane soon swings sharp left to a farm. Leave it on the right at this point by entering the field and keeping the field edge on your immediate right to pass under pylons. The field edge path soon meets another lane and turn right here to pass houses and join the A road again. Turn left along this road and follow it downhill for a few metres before taking care to cross it and join the lane on the opposite side of the road signed as Prestolee Road. The lane passes between stables and an angling pond and keep to it as it becomes a rough farm track offering good views both north and south. The track passes farms on the right and drops steeply downhill to cross the canal again over a bridge.

Turn right on the far side of the bridge and retrace your steps along a section of the canal towpath walked earlier. When you reach the kissing gate and bridge again, turn right and follow the track running uphill and passing through a gate. The top level of the canal is reached on the left. Turn sharp left -- almost back on yourself -- and join this cobbled towpath past cottages.

This higher section of the canal is now followed for about half a mile until it passes through a gate and reaches a rough car parking area.

At the far end of the parking area, turn left through a kissing gate and follow the path which drops steeply downhill and leads to a bridge over the River Croal.

Cross the bridge and keep to the tarmac path from here which leads back to the car park.