Area: Greater Manchester

The Category Bolton is a subset of Greater Manchester.

The Category Bury is a subset of Greater Manchester.

The following Bury Entities do NOT (currently) have Records in 'Open Paths and Trails'. Here, clicking on a Title of interest should link you to a relevant external Website (or Facebook Page):

- Bury U3A

The Category Manchester is a subset of Greater Manchester.

The Category Oldham is a subset of Greater Manchester.

The Category Rochdale is a subset of Greater Manchester.

The Category Salford is a subset of Greater Manchester.

The following Salford Entities do NOT (currently) have Records in 'Open Paths and Trails'. Here, clicking on a Title of interest should link you to a relevant external Website (or Facebook Page):

- Salford U3A

The Category Tameside is a subset of Greater Manchester.

The Category Trafford is a subset of Greater Manchester.

The following Trafford Entities do NOT (currently) have Records in 'Open Paths and Trails'. Here, clicking on a Title of interest should link you to a relevant external Website (or Facebook Page):

- Hale & District U3A

The Club for Hillwalkers, Ramblers and Amblers  'We are a "not for profit" organisation with very modest membership fees whose objective is "to encourage the appreciation, conservation and enjoyment of the countryside". Please explore the site and the Facebook page to find out more about us and the countryside walks and other activities that we can offer you.'

'The Club was formed in 1931 and caters for all ages and walking abilities. Over the years it has grown to a membership of 200 approximately, with a variety of walks graded, strolling, easy & moderate / strenuous.'

'Founded in 1905 the Club celebrated its Centenary in 2005. We're very active and we extend a warm welcome to all walkers and lovers of the countryside ... We have members of all ages and from a range of backgrounds. For a modest annual fee you can enjoy all the hidden delights of rural Lancashire and beyond the best way there is, on foot!'

'Rural walks, country parks, trails and footpaths ... '

'Lies on the River Irwell covering an area of 36 hectares of scenic countryside, one mile north west of Bury town centre.'

Bury Council

Upgrade of the Council Website 'has resulted in a lot of information being removed' - so some of the Pages originally referenced here have disappeared. However, there is still useful information available about Bury's Nature Reserves and Parks, which can be accessed from the Web Page cited here.

Visit Bury

'To provide healthy enjoyment of leisure and to encourage love of open air and promote social friendship. All members are asked to support events and walks arranged for their enjoyment.'

'Crompton Moor rises above the town of Shaw, and is a unique and popular recreation site in Oldham. The site is great for wildlife. Birdwatchers can see kestrel, red grouse, golden plover, snipe, curlew, skylark and meadow pipit. There are also foxes, weasels, common shrews, stoats and hares ... The Oldham Way and Crompton Circuit local trails also cross the site.'

Friends of Crompton Moor

‘Celebrating the joy of walking, the Festival will bring together neighbours, friends and communities to have fun and re-discover, or perhaps discover for the first time, the joy of the journey!’ Usually held During May.

'Heaton Park is a municipal park in Manchester England covering an area of over 600 acres making it the largest municipal park in Europe,'

Manchester City Council

'Improve your fitness, get some fresh air, enjoy some beautiful scenery and make new friends! Our walking group are aged between 20 and 90 years old and you don’t need to have lots of experience with walking. The walks are a full day with a  break for lunch so you do need to be able to walk approximately 6-7 miles.'

Henshaws Society for Blind People

'Manchester and District Walkers (MAD Walkers) 20s and 30s group, a local group of the Ramblers Association for people who live in and around the Greater Manchester area.'

'Oldham Group helps local people enjoy walking and protect the places we all love to walk. We are a very active group offering throughout the year: Two walking groups on Sundays - easy and moderate. One Wednesday walk with pub lunch/ an easy or moderate day walk.'

'We are a walking group based in and around Greater Manchester, mainly but not exclusively for members of the LGBT community. Walks are led by members of the group and take place on a fortnightly basis during the autumn and winter, and weekly during the spring and summer.'

'If you live in or around Manchester and enjoy walking, whether it be gentle or strenuous, the Greater Manchester and High Peak Area of the Ramblers and its associated groups organise hundreds of walks throughout the year, so there is sure to be something for you.'

'Parks, countryside and walks around the borough.'

'We are a mixed social walking group of all ages and abilities based in South Manchester and North Cheshire. Our Winter / Spring programme includes weekends away youth hostelling, Sunday walks, and a variety of social events such as meals out, theatre trips and pub nights. New members are always offered a warm welcome.'

'Covers more than 2,000 acres and extends from the Hall to Winter Hill. It is owned by Bolton Council and much of the land is leased to local farmers (including Smithills Open Farm). There are plenty of public footpaths and spaces though. One area is the Ravenden Plantation, a wooded valley leading down as far as Moss Bank Way ...'

Visit North West

Smithills Country Park [GPS Cycle & Walking Routes]

'We are a social activity group and are part of a Nationwide membership group with a local feel. Joining Spice is one of the easiest ways of meeting new people and making new friends. We organise events in and around the Manchester area and offer a huge variety of events each month along with weekends away and holidays of a lifetime.'

'Looking for quiet riverside walks, or wooded valleys? Maybe it's wild open moorland you desire. You can find it all at Stalybridge Country Park ... '

Tameside Metropolitan Borough

'Whether it’s for a short stroll around your Local Nature Reserve, or a day long ramble through woodland and over moorland, a network of footpaths and trails take walkers through spectacular countryside.'

'Founded in 2013, we organise walks in and around the Tameside area.'

'The Trafford Group of Ramblers started with its inaugural walk and meeting on Tuesday 15th June, 2010.  This coincided with the 21st Anniversary of the opening of the Trans Pennine Trail ... There are currently c 250 members of RTG.'

'Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. There are a number of ways to take those first steps: [1] Trafford's walking network - - - : [2] Walking campaigns - - - : [3] Walking to school - - - : [4] Walking journey planner - using the walkit.com Route Planner.'

'Guided Walks and Tours of Manchester ... Manchester's Green Corridor ... Manchester Walks and Trails'

'There are countless walks around Oldham and the surrounding countryside just waiting to be discovered.'

Parks, Countryside and Canals [Oldham Council]

'A Grade II listed Victorian Cemetery with six listed monuments within 39 acres of green space. From the inscriptions on the monuments to beautifully crafted sculptures, Weaste Cemetery contains the biography of our community. With grassland untreated by chemicals since 1857 and woodland providing a habitat for butterflies and wild birds this is a real urban oasis. Together with Salford City Council, the Friends of Salford Cemeteries Trust have developed a Heritage Trail at Weaste Cemetery.'

Friends of Salford Cemeteries Trust

'Living history epitomises Ardwick, an area rich in architectural features and cultural heritage. Originally a small village and bounded by the River Medlock, Ardwick can trace its origins back to 1282. By the early 19th century, Ardwick was an elegant suburb and its Georgian splendour is still on show at Ardwick Green, alongside one of Manchester's oldest churches St Thomas's Church, built in 1741 ...'

Victoria Baths Neighbourhood Regeneration Project

'A green link from the city centre to Ashton-under-Lyne, bordered by an interesting mix of modern and industrial architecture. Improvements to the towpath have made it into a pleasant route, accessible to walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users.'

Canal & River Trust

Nature Trail [Ancoats Canal Project] | The Ashton Canal [Pennine Waterways] | Portland Basin Museum

'The Definitive Map and Statement is held by the Council's Public Rights of Way Team ... The map and statement can be viewed during normal office hours (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday). Please make an appointment before visiting the office. You can also access a copy of the Definitive Map on the My Maps section of this website in the Transport and Streets Category.'

Bolton Council

'The Rotary Way Footpath was established in 2005 to celebrate the centenary of the foundation of the Rotary Club ... If you plan to do the whole route (and indeed even if you only wish to do some of it), you may find the Rotary Way booklet to be very useful, with detailed breakdowns of each stage (although be warned – some of the bus numbers and routes are a little out of date!) and sketch maps to help you on your way. If you wish to get your copy, get in touch with the Westhoughton Branch of the Rotary Club using the "contact us" form on their website and enquire.'

'Links can be made to Blackburn/Darwen via Witton Weavers Way at Jumbles reservoir and to Manchester Bury and Rawtenstall using the Irwell Valley Sculpture Trail.'

Geocaching

'The Bury Local Access Forum has replaced the Greater Manchester Pennine Fringe Local Access Forum. It is a statutory advisory body made up of volunteers who are interested in countryside access issues.'

Bury Council

'Special maps have been drawn up so that walkers, riders, farmers and landowners may know which paths are public rights of way. The "definitive maps" show footpaths, bridleways, byways open to all traffic and roads used as public paths.'

Bury Council

'A chance to see some of the Borough's lesser-known countryside, taking you over the M66 to secluded stream valleys and open farmland.' ALERT The Description here is of an Unsworth and Pilsworth Walk which seems no longer accessible via Bury Council. So I have now Linked instead to a Booklet which includes a couple of Walks in 'Whitefield and Unsworth'.

Greater Manchester Walking

''Medlock Valley runs through the heart of East Manchester, running east to west through Clayton Vale, Philips Park, SportsCity, Holt Town, Medlock Outlook, Lower Medlock through the City Centre to join the Irwell at Castlefield.' [From the Website - albeit last updated in 2009 - which gives access to a wide variety of useful background information on the area.]

Medlock Valley Way [LDWA]

'On this free self-guided walk in north Bolton, you’ll visit sites of early cotton mills, weaving sheds and bleachworks, be introduced to entrepreneurs and workers in the textile industry, but also footballers, singers, Glo-White, a psychoanalyst, fighter pilot, an actor, a DJ, a children’s writer, refugees and rogues.'  The Digital Album 'includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.'

Live From Worktown

'Live from Worktown is a resident-led community arts organisation working in partnership to bring cultural activities to the heart of Bolton.'

'An off-road cycle path, pedestrian and horse riding route from Chorlton-cum-Hardy through Fallowfield and Levenshulme to Gorton and Fairfield in Manchester ... At 8 miles long the Fallowfield Loop is thought to be the longest urban cycleway in Britain.'

Friends of the Fallowfield Loop

'Greater Manchester is internationally renowned for its industrial heritage, but you don’t have to travel far from the big city to find yourself among a green and pleasant land. Many of our Mancunian reservoirs are in spectacular settings - from rugged moorland and wildflower meadows to verdant valleys and ancient woodland. Explore another side to the city – perfect for active days out ...'

United Utilities

'We've identified and created a number of tree trails across Greater Manchester that you can explore.'

'Explore the boundaries of Halliwell ... This walk forms a "figure of eight" around Smithills Hall ...'

The Milestone Society

'There's lots to do for you and the family throughout the year, including a regular programme of guided walks, special events, crafts and outdoor activities.'

Rochdale Borough Council

Hollingworth Lake [Wikipedia]

'A list of public tours in Manchester and beyond. On other pages there are suggested private tours, gift vouchers and much more.'

'Enjoy a short stroll around Jumbles Reservoir in this pretty country park in Bolton. The park is set within the beautiful West Pennine Moors with a lovely waterside footpath around the reservoir. There are also good facilities with a visitor centre and cafe. The Park is located just a couple of miles north east of Bolton city centre, near to the Lancashire village of Chapeltown. If you have time you could continue your walk along the Witton Weavers Way to the nearby Wayoh Reservoir and Nature Reserve.'

United Utilities

Jumbles Country Park [GPS Cycle & Walking Routes]

'The City of Manchester has 138 parks, 31 of which have been awarded green flag status and a walking route has now been identified that links these green spaces. The Green Corridor is made up of 14 routes with each route averaging 4 miles.' ALERT It seems the Manchester City Council - nor the body originally referenced here Getting Manchester Moving - no longer maintain a description of the Green Corridor on their Websites. Instead, we are referred to the Ramblers' Routes (Search 'Manchester green corridor' - but note that full details of at least some of the stages of the Corridor are only available to Ramblers' Members).

Getting Manchester Moving

'For the most entertaining and best informed Manchester guided tours, join New Manchester Walks, Manchester's leading walks and talks outfit, bringing the 21st century city alive. We provide an unrivalled and unmatchable programme of historical trips and tours in and around Manchester – from the Gothic glories and cotton palaces of central Manchester to the gleaming new dock side towers of Salford Quays; from the coal face of industrial Eastlands to the winding alleyways of Knutsford in leafy Cheshire.'

New Manchester Walks

Guided Walks and Tours of Manchester [Visit Manchester]

'To celebrate our twenty-fifth anniversary we published a book containing 25 of our favourite walks. We have now decided to publish these walks on our web site so they will be available for all to enjoy ... If you have enjoyed one or more of these walks why not show your appreciation by making a donation to Oldham Mountain Rescue ?'

Wednesday Walkers

'There are some areas of Oldham where you can enjoy the land without having to stay on footpaths. Most of these open access areas are moorland and common land within the hills of the South Pennines.'

Oldham Council

'A number of pieces of art have been installed along the length of the Huddersfield Canal through Oldham, to reflect images of life on the canal. These have been designed by a number of local artists, with the inspiration from local school children. They fall into three areas: gateways features along the length of the canal, a mural in Dobcross and play areas in Diggle.'

Visit Oldham

'In 2015 the Oldham Way is to be relaunched with hopefully our Real Oldham Way being adopted, thereby removing the road sections and perambulating through Moston Brook which is well on the way to be a new country park!' ALERT The Oldham Ramblers - from whose former Web Site this quote was taken - have now moved their Web presence to the Ramblers' Association Website.

'This Project aims to enhance and stimulate public understanding of Canals: by encouraging you to visit these wonderful places, by guiding and informing your presence, and by illuminating history that does not immediately or easily reveal itself.'

Huddersfield Canal Society | Oldham Theatre Workshop

'For boaters, this Canal is a peaceful place to escape the crowds. The towpath is probably the easiest walking route through the Pennines, taking you into the heart of the hills at a relatively gentle gradient. However, there is also plenty of access to more challenging routes for serious hiking.'

Canal & River Trust

Rochdale Canal Maps [Waterway Routes]

Detailed description (2 October 2011) 'produced to (a) update the route around the Rochdale Way and (b) hopefully get more walkers / non walkers to enjoy the scenery / views around the Rochdale Borough. Whether for just for a few miles, or the full 45 miles. It follows where possible the original route of the Rochdale Way "a circular walk", created by Richard Catlow, John Cole and Martin Riley, the last update of which was the second edition in 2004 / 2005. At the present time Rochdale Council have no plans to produce any further updates ...'.

Steve Baker East Lancashire LDWA

'These trails are a great way to explore the historic villages of Saddleworth and learn more about the history of the area: Delph ... Diggle ... Dobcross ... Uppermill.'

Oldham Council

Saddleworth Historical Society

Mostly off-road route through the centre of Sale, down to Broadheath and then round up near Carrington and back to Stretford.

Trans Pennine Trail

'If you've picked up the heritage bug and want to explore Salford's history further for yourself, why not take the next step and go on one of our range of fascinating self-guided walks ... Each one encompasses a different area of the city.'

Visit Salford

'The rights of way improvement plan is a ten-year strategic document which is intended to be the prime means by which the council will identify the changes to be made to the local rights of way network to meet the government's aim of better provision for walkers, cyclists, equestrians, carriage drivers, motor vehicle users and people with mobility problems. It is a wide-ranging plan, covering all aspects of the management and improvement of the network to meet the likely future needs of the public.'

Salford City Council

‘Explore the heritage, countryside and rural areas of Salford with a series of ten walks. The Salford Trail is a long distance walk of about 50 miles/80 kilometres and entirely within the boundaries of the City of Salford. It was officially opened by Ramblers President, Stuart Maconie on the 30 May 2017.‘

Manchester and Salford Ramblers

The Salford Trail (Roy Bullock)

'Walking trail linking Denshaw in Saddleworth with Stockport town centre. It broadly follows the course of the River Tame and is a varied and attractive walk, combining hill country, riverside and canal walking, woodlands, meadows and industrial heritage.'

Tameside Metropolitan Borough

Tame Valley Way [GPS Cycle & Walking Routes]

'Although the majority of rights of way within the Borough are shortcuts from one road to another, we do have a number of rural Rights of Way which form routes such as parts of the Pennine Way among others. Tameside's varied landscape is well worth exploring and 264km of public rights of way provide public access to attractions and countryside alike.'

Tameside Metropolitan Borough

'A 40 mile circular walk, broadly following the Borough boundary, through varied and attractive countryside, linking together the several river valleys and country parks, as well as many other areas of interest. The route crosses or links with a number of other trails. It is well served by public transport, enabling the walk to be split into easy stages. Available from the visitor centres and Tourist Information office, the Tameside Trail Booklet can be purchased on-line.'

The Tameside Citizen

The Thirlmere Pipeline 'was built by Manchester Corporation Water Works to relieve the problem of an ever growing need by industry and people in the Manchester area in the latter part of the 19th century. The Thirlmere Way 'broadly follows the path of the pipeline from sink to source, starting at Heaton Park, Manchester and ending, not surprisingly, at Thirlmere'.

BOOT boys

'A unique trail of a little less than 18 miles around and between 6 of Bury's most historic villages. The trail consist of 7 quite distinct separate sections each varying in length and scenery between 2 to 5 miles long and ideal for everyone from the seasoned walker to the weekend strollers ... With 14 walks to choose from you'll be spoilt for choice.'

Bury Rural Inequalities Forum

'You could drive or get a bus to Dunham, but take the time to walk or cycle there from Altrincham and you will be rewarded with some fine architecture, fascinating features & blissful views. (There's always the option of getting a bus or taxi back if you start to flag.)' ALERT I could no longer locate the PDF on the Visit Trafford Website. Fortunately, at the time of Review, the Mid Cheshire Railway Line Website still provided access to it.

VisitTrafford

'High in the Pennines above Wardle village, the area around Watergrove Reservoir includes walking trails with spectacular views, bird watching, fishing and a link to the Pennine Bridleway ...'

Visit Rochdale

Watergrove Reservoir [United Utilities]

'Download resources including podscroll trails, audio trails, and maps to help you to explore the Watershed Landscape.'

The Watershed Landscape Project

'Many of our members have spent 1000’s of hours over the last 5 years planning this 46 miles rural route with 35 short links to all the surrounding urban areas and a 15 miles link to the Pennine Way from Bull Hill on Holcombe Moor to Warlands Reservoir on the Pennine Way ... Our aim for this Project is not only to promote this outstanding area to the 680,000 people, living in the immediate surrounding former mill towns of Bolton, Horwich, Chorley, Blackburn, Darwen, Haslingden, Ramsbottom and Bury but further afield ...'

Greenmount Village Community Hiking Group

'Enjoy the chocolate-box black and white timbered houses, tranquil woodlands and the birthplace of the transport revolution – The Bridgewater Canal.'

Visit Manchester