10 WALKS BY TRAIN NEAR MANCHESTER
Need a nature fix? Here’s how to escape the city when you haven’t got a car
If you've found yourself wandering through the local cemetery just to catch a glimpse of nature's greenery, you're likely familiar with the frustration of city life without wheels. And while Manchester has lots of incredible greenspaces (and burial places), there are days when you want to be somewhere wilder with bigger skies and wider views.
Manchester may be known as a flat city, but look to the horizon and you'll see higher ground just waiting to be explored. Roaming these moorlands and hills is in our blood, so let’s roam.
New Mills Millenium Walkway, New Mills (4 miles, 20 mins by train)
Lyme Park, Disley (30 mins by train)
Start: Disley Station
Distance: Various
Lyme Park is one of the National Trust’s most treasured estates. But perhaps lesser-known is the many trails surrounding its grounds just waiting to be explored…
Plus, with over 1,400 acres of rugged moorland, ancient woodlands and formal gardens to explore, Lyme is a great day out if you want to explore with your pooch. In fact, Lyme has always been a place where dogs can enjoy themselves. Dogs lived alongside the Legh family who left Lyme to the National Trust. Discover fantastic walks with your four-legged friend at Lyme.
As one of our favourite places to escape the city, we’ve done our fair share of walks around Lyme and its endlessly stretching countryside. Check out just a few of our favourites below.
NB: Each route listed below does require a walk from Disley station to the starting point.
The Trinnacle, Dovestone Reservoir, Greenfield (24 mins by train)
Start: Greenfield Station
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation: 950 feet
Duration: 2-3 hours
Navigation: follow along here
Located high on the hills of Saddleworth Moor, there stands a peculiar rock formation which has well and truly gripped the attention of ramblers from far and wide. Best known as ‘The Trinnacle’, this fork-shaped gritstone pillar juts out from the moorlands above Dovestone Reservoir and has exploded in popularity as of late. The by-product of glacial activity dating back some 14,000 years, the deep valleys and splintered crags characterising the landscape all serve as a reminder of what once was.
Broken away from the main cliffs which loom over the reservoirs after years of weathering, the Trinnacle stands alone – like a trio of high-rise buildings – and is best found along a circular walk known as the ‘The Trinnacle Trail’.
Seven Falls, Tintwistle (38 mins by train)
Start: Hadfield Station
Distance: 5.31 miles
Elevation: 575 feet
Duration: Approx. 2 hours
Navigation: Follow the route here
Looking for a (not so) secret place to take a dip after a day of exploring? Then a trip to Seven Falls in Tintwistle is a must.
Fairy Wood Walk, Hathersage (57 mins by train)
Start: Hathersage Station
Distance: 4.63 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Elevation: 800 feet
Navigation: Follow our route here
Starting and ending in quaint Peak District village, Hathersage, this is a perfect route if you prefer your walks to start and end in a country pub or cosy cafe.
The route follows well-made paths up and out of the village, past the church, through beech woodlands, and up over the tops towards Stanage Edge, before meadnering back down into the village on coutnry lanes.
Winter Hill, Bolton (17 mins by train)
Start: Rivington Hall Car Park*
Distance: 6.15 miles
Duration: 2-3 hours
Elevation: 1,300 feet
Navigation: Follow our route here
This Lancashire walk takes you to two incredible viewpoints in one route. You begin your ascent up to Winter Hill via Rivington Country Park, taking you 1,496 feet high up to the summit.
While there are a variety of routes to choose from, our favourite is this 6 mile walk which takes in arguable the best views and scenery across Bolton, Wigan and the West Pennines Moors.
NB: To access the start of the walk by public transport, take the train from Manchester to Bolton, then board the 192 bus to Rivington.
Harpur Hill, Buxton (1 hour by train)
Start: Buxton Rail Station
Distance: 10 miles
Duration: 3-4 hours
Navigation: Follow the route here
Looking to escape the crowds? Topley Pike Nature Reserve is home to rolling hills, all-to-yourself valleys and stunning surrounds every way you turn, making it the perfect base to escape the hustle and bustle and recharge among some of the best scenery we have on our doorstep.
Winnats Pass, Hope (49 mins by train)
Start: Castleton Visitor Centre, S33 8WN
Distance: 9 miles
Elevation: 900 feet
Duration: 3-4 hours
Navigation: Follow the route here
This walk takes you high above Winnats Pass and around Castleton, meaning you can take in this amazing Peak District village from all angles. The start of the route leans towards the challenging side, taking you up a steep and rocky path straight up to Winnats Pass where you’ll be instantly rewarded with incredible views right across The Peak District National Park.
Bamford Edge, Bamford (53 mins by train)
Start: Bamford Station
Distance: 7.53 miles
Elevation: 650 feet
Duration: 2-3 hours
Navigation: follow the route here
This walk offers some of the best views in the Peak District. With just a short climb at the start, you walk towards Bamford Edge and are rewarded with incredible views of Ladybower and Derwent Reservoirs. Want to catch an unreal sunrise with the chance of a cloud inversion? Set off early and you’ll have the ridge almost to yourself — with incredible views right across Hope Valley.
Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge (27 mins by train)
Start: Hebden Bridge Station
Distance: 5 miles
Duration: 2.5 hours
Elevation: 650 feet
Navigation: Follow our route here
Whether you want to mooch around Heptonstall and pay a visit to Sylvia Plath’s resting place, or head on over to Lumb Falls for a wild dip, this walk is perfect for escaping the city for the day.
Want to make it a wild swim walk? Follow our Lumb Falls walk here.
