Discover Greater Manchester's countryside on foot with our downloadable PDF walking routes and explore the region at your own pace.
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A fairly demanding, but very pleasant walk, taking in lanes and field paths through attractive moorland edge scenery. The northern most part of the route is occasionally closed for military training purposes, so you may wish to ring 01204 882991 to check on this before setting…
A beautiful and calm woodland walk around mill ponds, rivers and streams with colourful views of the Goyt Valley. Download the route map.
This walk takes you from the medieval manor house of Smithills Hall up to the television mast on Winter Hill, which reaches a height of over 1000 feet and is the highest hill in the West Pennine Moors. From these heights there could be views over to the Peak District and…
This is a flat and gentle walk along a reclaimed railway line surrounded by woodland and back alongside the Macclesfield Canal. Download the route map.
This (sometimes strenuous) circular walk gives you everything; spectacular views woodland, riverside rambling and heritage. Have a rest when you reach Peel Tower to catch your breath and admire views across Manchester and the North West. (Please note that this walk crosses…
In some ways a historic trail around Ramsbottom; this circular walk reveals the rich character and close relationship between landscape and community. This walk can be combined with a trip on the restored East Lancashire Steam Railway. Download the route map.
A good walk with some strenuous hilly sections. The route takes in the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, country lanes, weavers’ cottages and Saddleworth Church before returning through the village of Uppermill. There are a number of options to shorten the route along the way or…
Castlehaw Valley is on the fringe of the Pennine moors, with untamed hills and deep peat gullies. Wind your way along the Roman roads and pack horse trails taking in the ever changing moorland colours of this dramatic landscape. Download the route map.
Discover Hollingworth Lake and Littleborough with this delightful 5 mile walk. With scenic views over the Pennines this circular route takes in some of the best countryside the area has to offer. The initial section of the walk offers easy walking through the Ealees Valley…
The Last Drop Village complex of hotel, restaurant and shops stands high above Bolton on the edge of the hills and makes an excellent starting point for this walk across a scenic golf course, over one bridge of towers and turrets (one of which can be climbed) and past another…
The very popular walking area of Lever Park was laid out by the 1st Lord Leverhulme. The southern loop of this walk, of about 3 miles, offers easy walking along wooded tracks and paths in the park, while the northern loop, about 3.5 miles in length, takes you over rougher country…
Starting at the iconic Wigan Pier and meandering through the Douglas Valley. This is a lovely canal-side trail mixing attractive and rich natural industrial heritage. Download the route map.
This is a canal-side trail rich in natural history and heritage. Starting at the iconic Wigan Pier, the trail takes you along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and up Wigan’s famous flight of 23 locks to Top Lock. Then on through the wonderful and picturesque Haigh Plantations on…
Starting at the iconic Wigan Pier and taking you through the unique collection of lakes and waterways known as Wigan Flashes and on through the Hey Brook Corridor to delightful Pennington. A canal-side trail rich in natural history and heritage. Download the route map.
This 3-mile circular walk around Worsley takes in the picturesque village, the Bridgewater Canal, its fascinating heritage and explores the rich woodland area of Worsley Woods. Worsley village has a number of restaurants and pubs including Ambiente, Bridgewater Pub, The Barton…