Area: Greater Manchester

The Category Bolton is a subset of Greater Manchester.

The Category Bury is a subset of Greater Manchester.

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 Category Stockport is a subset of Greater Manchester.

The Category Tameside is a subset of Greater Manchester.

The Category Trafford is a subset of Greater Manchester.

The Category Wigan is a subset of Greater Manchester.

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 May 1978 by a group of workers at the BICC factory in Leigh. Although any link with BICC was broken a long time ago, the name "Anchor" comes from that connection with "Anchor Cables". The purpose of the club is to provide an opportunity for people to enjoy rambling in a safe and enjoyable environment.'

'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.'

Member of the Wellbeing Walks - Lancashire Grouping

'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 ... '

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Grouping

'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.'

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Grouping

Member of the U3A - Greater Manchester Grouping

'Relax in the peace and tranquillity of the setting and learn more about the history of the chapel and the legends that link it to 7th century missionary St Chad ...'

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

'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.

'Once the home of Earls and Lords, Haigh Hall is surrounded by 250 acres of park and woodland ... with spectacular views across the Douglas Valley to the Welsh hills ... Explore and enjoy the stunning parkland, woodland and plantations ...' ALERT The original Title and Link used here seem no longer to be available (nor descriptions of the three Trails - though you might still find archival copies on the Web). So I have replaced them.

Member of the U3A - Greater Manchester Grouping

'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

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Grouping

'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.'

'Walking mainly in the Peak District, members are from the suburbs of Stockport in Cheshire including Macclesfield, Cheadle and Wilmslow.'

'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.'

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Grouping

'Saddleworth Pedestrians known affectionately to its friends as "The Peds" was formed in 1970 and we currently have a membership of about 100, from in and around the Saddleworth area. Our members represent a broad range of backgrounds and interests but have a common enthusiasm for walking and hiking and a keen and informed concern for our countryside. We have a walks committee who organise a programme of Sunday walks which is published every four months ... In addition to walking in the Saddleworth area we do travel farther afield to Derbyshire, Yorkshire and the south Lancashire Pennines.'

'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.'

Member of the U3A - Greater Manchester Grouping

Member of the Wellbeing Walks - Greater Manchester Grouping

'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

'Visiting the countryside can provide a real break from the stress of everyday life. You don’t have to go far!'

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Grouping

'100 years and more of the great outdoors ... We are a friendly and sociable walking group with members from all walks of life ... The object of Stockport Walkers is to encourage the love of nature and the countryside through walking together and to foster a spirit of sociability and comradeship.'

'A multi-activity group with individual members aged 18 to 70+ as well as a number of families.'

'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.'

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Grouping

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Grouping

'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

Member of the Ramblers - Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Grouping

'We are making improvements so that walking is safer, more secure and more enjoyable in town centres and along routes linked to residential areas ... Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles are an accredited Walking for Health scheme, whose vision is that everyone will have access to a short free and friendly health walk within easy reach of where they live, to help them become and stay active.'

'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 hike is a 56 mile circular course, visiting checkpoints in the correct order, within 24 hours starting at 12:00 noon on the Saturday. Open to any person over 18 years on the day of the event, or with approval of parent/guardian and prior arrangement ...' Held Early September.

3rd Hazel Grove Scout Group

'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

'Step outdoors, explore your local green spaces, breathe in the best of Bury and feel the freedom of the fresh air. 12 short self-led walks around Bury complete with illustrated route maps and descriptions.'

Greater Manchester Walking

'A route following the towpaths along six historic canals of various ages and character, this Walk offers the solitude of quiet countryside, the hustle and bustle of city streets and views of the Cheshire Plain and Peak District hills. The canals are, anticlockwise from Macclesfield, Macclesfield Canal to Marple; Peak Forest, Ashton and Rochdale Canals into Manchester to join the Bridgewater Canal at Castlefield to follow it to Preston Brook; Trent & Mersey Canal to Hardings Wood Junction near Kidsgrove; Macclesfield Canal back to the start.'

The Long Distance Walkers Association

''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.'

Now described by the Ramblers in four Sections - with the detailed descriptions only being accessible to Ramblers' members.

Ramblers Routes

Cown Edge Way [GPS Cycle & Walking Routes]

'Footpath linking Vernon Park in Stockport with the Longdendale Trail in the Peak District near Hadfield.'

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Etherow-Goyt Valley Way [Tameside Metropolitan Borough]

'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

'Spans the Borough, from Woodford in the south to Reddish in the north. The route combines rural footpaths, quiet lanes and river valleys with urban landscapes and parklands.'

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

'Linear route following the footpaths close to the Pennington and Glaze Brooks, from Pennington Flash Country Park in Leigh, to the Manchester Ship Canal at Cadishead.’

GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

'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

'Marple is a walkers' delight, providing a mixture of superb scenery and fascinating historical features. With miles of canal tow paths, cycle tracks, heavily wooded valleys, rivers, lakes and hill top moorland the district offers a huge variety of interest ...'

Gordon Mills / Marple Community Council | Marple Local History Society

'Follows the line of the former Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway through picturesque Cheshire countryside and between historic mill towns.'

Cheshire East Council

'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

'The Oldham Way is a 40 mile walk through the beautiful and varied countryside of Oldham borough which winds through the relics of the local industrial heritage, including the route of a steam tramway. Leaflets for the seven sections are available from Oldham Tourist Information Centre.'

Visit Oldham

'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

'[1] Browse meetings and agendas for this committee - - - : [2] View contact details for the members of this committee - - - : [3] View attendance statistics - - - : [4] View declarations of interest'

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council