11 STUNNING PUB WALKS BY TRAIN NEAR MANCHESTER
No car? No problem 👇
Manchester has some of the most stunning pub walks on its doorstep, and the good news is you don’t need a car to reach them. From wild swimming at Gaddings Dam to breathtaking moorland views at The Trinnacle, these 10 incredible pub walks are all easily accessible by train.
1. Gaddings Dam Loop (England’s Tallest Beach)
Start Point: Todmorden Centre (OL14 5QA)
Train from Manchester: 20 minutes from Manchester Victoria to Todmorden Station
Nestled above Todmorden, this beautiful Gaddings Dam loop takes you to a hilltop ‘beach’. Perfect for a sunny day, this route offers wild swimming for the brave and scenic views for those who prefer to stay dry. After exploring the dam, you can extend your adventure to nearby Stoodley Pike.
The Walk Details:
Distance: 5.34 miles
Duration: 2–3 hours
Elevation: 660 feet
Route difficulty: Easy-moderate, some steep sections
Navigation: follow step-by-step here.
Post-walk pub: Head back to Todmorden and treat yourself at The Golden Lion for a well-earned meal or pint, or stop off at The Shepherd’s Rest mid-route.
2. New Mills Millennium Walkway (The Torrs Circular)
Start Point: New Mills Central Station
Train from Manchester: 20 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly
Discover the hidden gem of The Torrs, a dramatic river gorge beneath the historic town of New Mills. The highlight of this walk is the Millennium Walkway — a suspended bridge that winds along the River Goyt. With a mix of lush greenery and industrial history, this walk is short but sweet, and one of my favourite local routes.
The Walk Details:
Distance: 4 miles
Duration: 1.5 hours
Elevation: 350 feet
Route difficulty: Easy
Navigation: follow step-by-step here
Post-walk pub: After your walk, explore New Mills’ cafes and shops. Stop at Revive Cafe for a hearty lunch or pick up a treat at High Street Books & Records.
3. Hathersage and Stanage Edge
Start Point: Hathersage Station
Train from Manchester: 50 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly to Hathersage
A Peak District favourite, this circular walk starts in the idyllic village of Hathersage before gently climbing to Stanage Edge and the popular Robin Hood’s Cave.
The Walk Details:
Distance: 7 miles
Duration: 3 hours
Elevation: 1,200 feet
Difficulty: Easy (gentle climbs, mixed terrain)
Navigation: follow step-by-step here
Post-walk pub: After tackling the edge, head back to Hathersage where you’ll find pubs and cafes aplenty.
4. Macclesfield Forest & Shutlingsloe (The Cheshire Matterhorn)
Start Point: Macclesfield Station
Train from Manchester: 25 minutes from Manchester Piccadilly
Shutlingsloe, often called “The Cheshire Matterhorn,” is a sharp peak that rewards hikers with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. The trail starts in the peaceful Macclesfield Forest, winding through tranquil woods before the exhilarating climb to the summit.
The Walk Details:
Distance: 6 miles
Duration: 2–3 hours
Elevation: 1,200 feet
Navigation: follow step-by-step here
Post-walk pub: The route descends past picturesque reservoirs, offering perfect photo opportunities. Wrap up your walk with refreshments at The Leather’s Smithy, a charming pub on the forest's edge.
5. Solomon’s Temple Walk (A Historic Folly Above Buxton)
Start Point: Buxton Pavilion Gardens (SK17 6BE)
Train from Manchester: 1 hour from Manchester Piccadilly to Buxton
This scenic walk to Solomon’s Temple starts and ends in one of the Peak District’s most-loved towns. Solomon’s Temple is a charming Victorian folly sitting atop Grin Low Hill, offering stunning views of Buxton and beyond. Along the way, explore the remnants of historic lime kilns and the surrounding woods.
The Walk Details:
Distance: 5.62 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Elevation: 625 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Navigation: follow step-by-step here
Post-walk pub: Finish your adventure with a visit to Buxton’s famous Georgian architecture or a relaxing tea at one of the town’s many cosy pubs.
6. The Trinnacle Loop (Dove Stone Reservoir)
Start Point: Greenfield Station
Train from Manchester: 35 minutes from Manchester Victoria to Greenfield
Sitting high on Saddleworth Moor, The Trinnacle stands is a unique rock formation overlooking Dove Stone Reservoir. The route offers steep climbs, cascading waterfalls, and a bit of optional scrambling if you’re wanting to add a slight challenge to the route.
The Walk Details:
Distance: 4.13 miles
Duration: Less than 2 hours
Elevation: 950 feet
Difficulty: Moderate (scrambling sections up the Clough)
Navigation: follow step-by-step here
Post-walk pub: After your walk, unwind at The Clarence Inn or explore the nearby pubs in Greenfield.
7. Prestbury Village Circular
Start Point: Prestbury Station
Train from Manchester: 30 minutes from Manchester to Prestbury
The Cheshire countryside at its best. A relaxed mix of fields, quiet lanes, and leafy woodlands with a beautiful pub finish.
The Walk Details:
Distance: 6 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Elevation: 375 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Navigation: follow step-by-step here
Post-walk pub: After your walk, unwind at The Bridge Inn or cosy up in one of the village’s many coffee shops.
8. Ramsden & Riding Wood (Via Holmfirth)
Start Point: Huddersfield Station
Train from Manchester: Train to Huddersfield or Sowerby Bridge, then 314 Holme Valley Bus Connection towards Holme
The Walk Details:
Distance: 5 miles
Duration: 2 hours
Elevation: 800 feet
Difficulty: Easy (gentle incline)
Navigation: follow step-by-step here
Post-walk pub: After your walk, unwind at The Fleece Inn.
9. Hardcastle Crags, Hebden Bridge (Heptonstall)
Start: Hebden Bridge Station
Train from Manchester: ~45 minutes
A mix of woodland trails and moorland ridge with a riverside mill café halfway round.
The Walk Details:
Distance: 8 miles
Duration: 3 hours
Elevation: 950 feet
Difficulty: Easy (gentle incline)
Navigation: follow step-by-step here
Post-walk pub: After your walk, refuel at The White Lion Inn in Heptonstall.
10. Etherow to Werneth Low
Start Point: Marple Railway Station
Train from Manchester: Train to Marple (26 mins)
This nine mile pub walk truly has it all: a cracking pub, unreal views across Manchester, and my favourite place in Stockport to sit and watch the world go by (the Keg Pool at Etherow Country Park), before winding up at The Hare and Hounds.
The Walk Details:
Distance: 9.7 miles
Duration: 4 hours
Elevation: 950 feet
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Navigation: follow step-by-step here
Post-walk pub: Mid-walk, refuel at The Hare and Hounds - or time with sunset for impeccable views over Manchester.
11. B29 Crash Site (Glossop)
Start Point: Glossop Station
Train from Manchester: 30 minutes from Manchester to Glossop
Remote and atmospheric – a moorland walk to a haunting WW2 crash memorial site.
The Walk Details:
Distance: 9.4 miles
Duration: 4 hours
Elevation: 1,700 feet
Difficulty: Moderate (navigation + map essential)
Navigation: follow step-by-step here
Post-walk pub: After your walk, unwind at The Queens Arms in Old Glossop, or head back to Glossop Town Centre for your pick of restaurants, cafes and pubs.
