When it comes to walking routes in the UK, what areas come to mind? For most people, the answer is national parks. The Peak District, Lake District, and the York Moors offer challenging walking trails and stunning views of the North.
But what if you’re looking for something closer to home? If you’re a Manchester resident, you’re in luck. The city offers an unbeatable fusion of urban living and natural beauty, with countless walking routes to explore.
If you’re looking for the best places to walk in Manchester, the following are at your doorstep!
1. Heaton Park
As the North West’s biggest park (and the largest municipal park in Europe), Heaton Park deserves our top spot.
From 8am to dusk, you can wander around 600 acres of greenery and explore manicured gardens and secluded woodlands. While you’re there, put your endurance to the test and climb the hill near Heaton Hall.
At the top, you’ll find the grand 18th-century neo-classical building once home to English nobleman Sir Thomas Egerton. The vantage point near the hall offers a stunning view of the city’s skyline, a rewarding end to a challenging walk.
2. Worsley Village
Take your next walk past the mock Tudor homes in Worsley Village.
Nestled in the heart of Salford, this quaint town will make a peaceful walking route for history lovers. Walk alongside all three miles of the Bridgewater Canal; a route historians consider England’s first true canal.
Increase your step count as the boats float by, and once you’re feeling tired, take a seat in one of Worsley Village’s traditional pubs. Grab a bite to eat, refuel, and continue exploring!
3. Macclesfield Forest
Macclesfield Forst is, without a doubt, one of the best places to walk in Manchester.
If you’re itching to move away from the city centre, this beautiful reservoir is just an hour away on the western edge of the Peak District. Here, you have free access to a working forest that provides residents of Macclesfield with drinking water.
The area is home to species of birds, waterfowl and even red deer! See if you can spot one as you walk along several of the forest’s easily accessible public footpaths. If a long day of walking has left you parched, head over to the Leather’s Smithy pub for a cold drink.
4. River Irwell And Peel Park Route
The Peel Park route is one of the best places to walk in Manchester because it starts directly in the heart of the city: in front of the Salford Museum and Art Gallery, to be exact!
However, the best part about this route is that you can start anywhere that’s most convenient. Head off from Blackfriars and trot along the River Irwell course, following on until you reach The Meadow and, later, the University of Salford and David Lewis Sports Grounds.
5. Tegg’s Nose
Return to the Western area of the Peak District, and you’ll find Tegg’s Nose, an impressive country park just outside of Manchester.
Strap on your hiking boots at Tegg’s Nose visitor centre and prepare yourself for expansive views of Cheshire County. If you look closely, you may spot the Welsh hills and Liverpool’s cathedrals!
Learn about the rich history of Tegg’s Nose as you walk its trails. Once home to Bronze Age settlements and a functioning quarry, this landscape offers challenging walking routes and a chance to learn more about the city.
6. Lyme Park
As the backdrop for BBC’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’, you can expect nothing less than grandeur from Lyme Park.
This National Trust-owned estate is surrounded by impressive 1-400 acre grounds, with every kind of walking trail you could imagine.
From rocky moors to age-old woodlands, formal gardens to waterfalls, Lyme Park is one of Manchester’s best places to walk because everything is on offer. You can even treat the family on your next trip and visit Lyme Park’s Timber Yard Cafe.
7. GM Ringway
Manchester’s GM Ringway should be on every walker’s bucket list.
This long-distance walking trail covers an astonishing 186 miles and takes you through all ten boroughs of the city region. First established by the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and the Super League rugby team ‘Salford Red Devil’, the GM Ringway takes walkers through four main areas.
During the ‘Southern Start-Up’, you’ll take the scenic route through Greater Manchester and walk alongside some of the best hidden green spots in the city centre.
Once reaching the edge of the Peak District, you’ll reach “The Exhilarating East’. Be prepared for hills because this section sees walkers explore the hills lining Oldham, Stockport and Tameside.
Then, you’ll have the third area to contend with! “The Noble North” forces you to contend with Bolton, Rochdale and Bury’s rising peaks and valleys. “The Western Wind-down” give your legs a rest and, as the final section of your journey, allows you to enjoy the mosslands of Salford, Trafford and Wigan.
If you’re drawn to discovering these hidden gems in the city and wish to make Manchester your home, reach out to us at New Cross Central today. Let us help you find the perfect property to complement your adventurous spirit and embrace all that Manchester has to offer.