Best public transport walks near Manchester: Upper Goyt Valley walk
A Peak District escape with woods, pubs, boardwalks and three peaceful reservoirs – no car required
Start: Whaley Bridge Station
Distance: 9 miles
Duration: 3-4 hours
Elevation: 950 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Navigation: Follow step-by-step on komoot, or download GPX file
About the route
Looking for a cracking day walk without a car near Manchester? This scenic loop from Whaley Bridge station weaves through woodland, past not one but three reservoirs, with sweeping valley views and a boardwalk thrown in for good measure. It’s wild in parts, peaceful in others — and it starts and ends right by a trainline, a cafe, and lots of pubs.
Route difficulty
This is a manageable day walk for regular walkers. There are some steady ups and downs, especially through the valley section, and paths can get muddy in wet spells—but there’s nothing technical.
Walk type: Moderate
Terrain: Forest tracks, reservoir paths, gravel and grass trails
Accessibility: Not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs
Dog-friendly: Yes, on leads near water and livestock
Why you’ll love this walk
You can hop on the train and be hiking in under an hour
Three reservoirs, a woodland start, and moorland magic
Less trodden than tourist-heavy Peak routes
Peaceful paths and plenty of space to think
Lovely looped route with café options at the end
Route highlights
Hillbridge Wood
A peaceful green canopy to kick things off — look out for bluebells in spring.
Toddbrook Reservoir & dam
Cross the dam for big views and easy boardwalk strolling.
Fernilee Reservoir
More water, fewer people. A lovely stretch for snacks and a breather.
Goyt Valley
Big skies, open views, and winding tracks through heathered hills.
Errwood Reservoir
A scenic high point of the walk, often mirror-like on calm days.
Things to do nearby
Whaley Bridge cafés & pubs
Pop into Café 16 or The Bridge Bakehouse for excellent cake and coffee.
Explore Goyt Valley ruins
Add a mini detour to the old Errwood Hall ruins if you’ve got time.
Bookshop browse in Whaley Bridge
Whaley has a couple of secondhand gems for post-walk mooching.
Getting to the starting point
By train: Take a direct train from Manchester Piccadilly to Whaley Bridge (~50 minutes). Trains run regularly, even on weekends.
By car: Not needed. But if you must, there’s free parking at the station.
Following the route
I use komoot and OS Maps for offline navigation. To follow the full route step-by-step on komoot, click this link here or download the GPX file and upload it to your preferred app.
How to extend your adventure
Continue beyond Bowderdale Head for a full Howgill traverse
Detour east to Aygill Force waterfall
Explore more of the Rawthey Valley on a return loop
Is this walk suitable for beginners?
Yes, with some stamina. It’s not overly steep, but the 9-mile length makes it better suited to walkers with a few rambles under their belt. Pace it out, bring snacks, and enjoy the varied route.
When’s the best time to do this walk?
April to October offers the best conditions - lush trees, dry trails and mellow weather. The boardwalk gets slippery in winter, and the Goyt section can be boggy after heavy rain.
Good to knows
No toilets en route — use Whaley Bridge facilities before you start
Limited mobile signal in the valley—download maps beforehand
Sturdy boots essential after rain
Finish with a café stop — The Bridge Bakehouse is just across from the station
