Area: Greater Manchester

'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.'

'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 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 ... '

'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

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

'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useful, with detailed breakdowns of each stage (although be warned – some of the bus numbers and routes are a little out of date!)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.'

'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

'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.

'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.'

'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

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

'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

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

'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

'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

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]

'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

'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

‘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 ...'

Member of the U3A - Greater Manchester Grouping

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

The Milestone Society

'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

'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]

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

Greater Manchester Walking

'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

'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

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

'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

'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.'

'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

'Parks, countryside and walks around the borough.'

'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]

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

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

'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.'

'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

'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.'

'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

Member of the U3A - 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

'[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

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

'The PROW team protect Stockport’s footpaths, bridleways and byways by carrying out routine checks. They also respond to reports from members of the public that highlight obstructions, blockages and poor surfacing. Landowners are responsible for gates and stiles across footpaths and bridleways. The highway authority, through the PROW team, exercises powers to ensure that landowners maintain stiles and gates in a safe condition.'

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

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.'

'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.'

GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

'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.'

'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

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

Tameside Metropolitan Borough

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

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 ...

'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

'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]

'There are great opportunities to walk around the city. Salford is made up of several smaller towns and villages which were once surrounded by countryside and you can travel between these places on foot, using footpaths which were once used by people travelling to and from work. There is still a lot of green space left and these walk leaflets help find out some of these lesser known little gems, their history and how they have helped create the Salford we know today.'

'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]

'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

'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

'In 1698 Celia Fiennes on her journeys round England described Wigan as a "pretty market town built of stone and brick". Those who are unfamiliar with Wigan may be surprised to find that Wigan is still an attractive market town with numerous picturesque groups of buildings and a proud history. It is hoped that these guided walks round Wigan town centre will reveal and encourage appreciation of its distinctive architectural character and history ...'

Wigan Council

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.'

'Wigan Flashes is a highlight in a visit to Greenheart. The area is truly countryside on the doorstep for the surrounding communities and visitors to Wigan and offers a chance to enjoy the wildlife within easy reach of Wigan’s town centre. There are eight shallow wetlands or "Flashes" in the area which were formed as a result of mining subsidence. Over the years and with careful maintenance  the industrial landscape has developed in to a mixture of beautiful habitats including open water, reedbeds and mossland ...'

Greenheart Regional Park

Wigan Flashes Local Nature Reserve

'Wigan Local Access Forum (LAF) is launching into a new era and we need your input now. Since Local Access Forums first started in 2002, there have been many changes in policies, priorities and resources for everyone everywhere; Wigan has been no exception. In response to this situation Wigan has reviewed the future role of the LAF and sees it as being an important consultee to major strategic and development projects which are being progressed by the Council and within the Borough.'

Wigan Council

'This Trail invites you to explore public art works around the centre of Wigan ... The Trail can be followed from end to end, or can be joined or left at any point. Go to the Map to see the locations of the artworks.'

Wigan Council

'View rights of way on the public rights of way map. This is just a guide and not the actual Definitive Map.'

Wigan Council

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

Visit Manchester