Bilorr one

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A good, mostly rural, route between Billinge and Orrell. Although there aren't that any real obstacles, the terrain and footpaths across the fields necessitate that this is foot-only.

From Billinge, we head north up the main road, which is paved but gradually climbs uphill. Eventually we reach a rough track through small woods which runs towards a farm, where we take a small footpath between hedge and fence, before ducking through a gap in the hedge and heading along a farm track towards the houses and the road ahead. The route map, and OS, suggests the route continues ahead opposite, but in reality we take a left them right past a long row of flats; the footpath continues just by the detached garages.

The path is along a farm track running through fields of oats and wheat, and rejoins the road at a gateless junction. It's best to cross to the pavement on the right as we wander through Bradshaw. At the junction at the pub, we go right, and after a short walk along a residential road, we cross the road, down a drive to a gap to the side of the gate. From here, the earthern footpath runs along the edge of the field, before headimh downhill. A junction takes us onto my favourite part of the path: a long woodland walk, with a stream on the right. A lovely quiet green wander. The path can be muddy or wet in places.

Eventually, the path widens as we pass ponds and a bird hide. As we hit the larger Orrell Water Park ponds, we take a little footbridge to the left and follow the path around the ponds, popular with fishing. At a crossroads, we continue ahead through a car park. We can exit using the car park entrance, or continue ahead along another stretch of path, before emerging onto the road via a kissing gate.

Onto the road, which is paved, we pass Orrell station, then head up a residential road. It becomes unpaved towards the end, before narrowing into a footpath. This runs between fences and hedges, before crossing foot bridges over where the M58 joins the M6. Eventually, it ends at a road, where we head towards the crossroads of Orrell Post and the end of the route.

A very enjoyable route on good footpaths.

This route is fine. It goes through Orrell Reservoir. There's no main alternatives to the road as it's quite direct to Billinge. One could go down Beacon Road, then turn left down the footpath and follow the perimeter of the housing estate but that's unnecessary deviation.

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