5 otherworldly locations you won’t believe are less than an hour from Manchester

“Manchester? Isn't that miles away from any countryside? Don’t you feel claustrophobic?"

"Nah, not really," I told my uni housemate at the time. "We've lots on our doorstep."

“I don't mean parks. I mean real countryside.”

Growing up in a city, this is something I’ve come up against a lot. The age old ‘but… don’t you crave the peace and quiet?’

Manchester may be most famed for its industrial heritage, its football and vibrant urban life, but we’re also lucky enough to have a plethora (and I really do mean plethora) of incredible hiking trails right on our doorstep. Not just your inner-city parks – the kind of places where you half-expect to see a dragon fly over a craggy peak or stumble upon an ancient ruin in a misty forest. Truly, some of the best walks I’ve been on in the UK have been right here on our very own doorstep.

Check out just a few of my favourite hikes, all but a short drive from Manchester.

Lud’s Church, Gradbach (1 hour from Manchester)

Lud’s Church is a deep, moss-covered chasm seeping in myth, history and dark green whichever way you turn. To walk down Lud’s stone steps and into its cleft is to escape into another world entirely.

The so-called ‘church’ is located in a portion of England’s Black Forest and is reported to have got its name from a Christian splinter group who used the secluded gully as a secret meeting place in the 15th century. 

In fact, Robin Hood and his Merry Men themselves are said to have taken refuge in the hidden depths of the Church. Most famously, the cleft is thought to have inspired the ‘Green Chapel’ of the Arthurian legend, Sir Gawain and The Green Knight. In the legend, Sir Gawain must travel to the Green Chapel to be executed, but is simply put to a test of wills.

Today, Lud’s Church still remains somewhat of a secret, making it the perfect base for an otherworldly day out all to yourself.

Full walking route details: getlostmcr.co.uk/trails/luds-church

Seven Falls, Tintwistle (20 mins from Manchester)

The Peak District has a number of famous waterfalls within its boundaries that have become famous to walkers and visitors to the area. Pretty Padley Gorge has a gentle cascading run of waterfalls along the course of Burbage Brook, Kinder Downfall, with a 30-metre drop is the tallest waterfall in the Peak District, and Three Shires Head, the meeting point of Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire is busy all year round.

But for me, this hidden gem on the border of Tameside and Derbyshire steals the waterfall top spot, and is usually much less crowded.

It’s the perfect spot for a countryside wander, with the falls making the ideal spot for a wild dip. Plus, if salt and pepper chips sound like you’re ideal mid-walk snack, you’re in luck. Close to the start of the walk, you’ll find Arnfield Fly Café – one of the best hidden eateries in Greater Manchester.

Public transport options: Manchester Picaddily > Hadfield – 23 mins

Full route details: getlostmcr.co.uk/trails/seven-falls

Snake Woodlands (30 mins from Manchester)

This stunning pine forest landscape will have you feeling like you’re in the depths of a Canadian national park, much less on the outskirts of Glossop… Surrounded by rolling hills, pine trees and babbling streams, you won’t be short on fairytale-like scenery on this short circular walk. In fact, this route has a mix of everything: magical woodlands, eerie moorland and even some spooky ruins to boot.

Full route details: getlostmcr.co.uk/trails/snake-woodlands

Dragon’s Back, Buxton (1 hour from Manchester)

Want to spend the day feeling like you’ve travelled to Middle Earth? Then this popular walk in the Peak District is a must. Starting and finishing in the pretty hamlet of Hollinsclough, this walk has it all: magnificent views across the Staffordshire and Peak District wilds, paths criss-crossed with ancient stone walls, and summits galore.

The views of the surrounding landscape are enough to take your breath away, but for me, the real highlight came in the form of a wonderfully idyllic pitstop, The Honesty Shop. This perfectly stocked café-come-hut-come-shop has all your refuel needs covered, with hot drinks, sweet treats and fresh local produce aplenty. The Honesty Shop has no staff and relies solely on the good nature of passers-by to do the right thing - a comforting reminder that we were far away from the hustle of the city.

Full route details: getlostmcr.co.uk/trails/dragons-back-loop

The Trinnacle, Greenfield (40 mins from Manchester)

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 Dove Stone 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.

Or if short walks sound like your ideal way to spend a Sunday, Dove Stone reservoir has plenty just waiting to be explored.

Public transport options: Manchester Piccadilly to Greenfield (24 mins).

Full route details: getlostmcr.co.uk/trails/the-trinnacle-dovestones