Uncover the hidden gems of Greater Manchester’s countryside with this carefully curated collection of 28 outstanding walks. Whether you’re new to the region or a seasoned explorer, you’ll be amazed by the remarkable variety of landscapes waiting to be discovered. 

This guidebook showcases routes that wind through picturesque country parks, tranquil nature reserves, and historic estates. Enjoy scenic journeys along river valleys and canal towpaths, wander through lush mosslands and wetlands, and traverse the dramatic moorlands of the West and South Pennines, as well as the fringes of the Peak District.

Best of all, every walk is easily accessible by train, tram, or bus—making it simple to embark on your next adventure without a car. Let OS Pathfinder Guides lead you to the very best of Greater Manchester’s great outdoors.

What’s Inside the Greater Manchester OS Pathfinder Guide

• 28 Outstanding Walks: Carefully selected routes suitable for all abilities, from beginners to seasoned hikers.
• Diverse Route Options: Choose from family-friendly strolls, half-day rambles, or full-day hikes, with distances ranging from 3 to 11 miles.
• Graded Walks for Easy Selection: Each walk is graded by time and difficulty, helping you quickly find the perfect route for your schedule and experience level.
• Effortless Planning: Every walk includes a handy information panel detailing distance, estimated duration, elevation, parking, terrain, GPS waypoints, and the relevant Ordnance Survey maps.
• Comprehensive Mapping: Benefit from clear OS Explorer mapping for each route, ensuring you have all the details you need for a safe and enjoyable walk.
• Turn-by-Turn Guidance: Follow straightforward, step-by-step instructions and route overlays for confident navigation throughout your adventure.
• Enriching Experiences: Discover fascinating historical and local stories along the way, with highlights to look out for and insights that bring each walk to life.

About the Walks

The guide begins with easy, family-friendly circuits around Moses Gate Country Park and Heaton Park, with routes starting at 3 miles and 1½ hours. Walks gradually increase in length and challenge, culminating in 10- to 11-mile rambles such as the Watergrove Horseshoe, Winter Hill, and Saddleworth Moor. The book is organized by difficulty: ten short ‘green’ walks, ten half-day ‘blue’ walks, and eight longer ‘orange’ outings.

Highlights include the scenic Broadbottom circuit through the Etherow Valley, tranquil paths in Didsbury along the Trans Pennine Trail and River Mersey, and an exciting crossing of Marple Aqueduct on the Peak Forest Canal. Nature lovers can spot wildfowl at Pennington Flash and explore RHS Bridgewater in Salford. Other notable routes feature panoramic views from Tandle Hill, historic deer parkland at Dunham Massey, Greater Manchester’s only surviving windmill from Hindley, a station-to-station walk at Werneth Low, lowland peat bogs at Chat Moss, and stunning vistas from Mellor Moor and the Piethorne and Crompton circuit.

Compiled by local author Andrew Read, whose deep knowledge of the region shines through in every route, uncovering inspiring walks that showcase Greater Manchester’s open green spaces, scenic river valleys, historic canal towpaths, tranquil mosslands and wetlands, and sweeping moorlands.

Some notable points of interest in Greater Manchester include:

• Broad Mills Heritage Site
• Traffic-free Trans Pennine Trail
• Marple Aqueduct
• RHS Bridgewater
• 360-degree views of the Pennine bowl on the summit of Tandle Hill
• Canal towpaths of Greater Manchester
• Historic deer parkland

The walking guidebook of Greater Manchester features walks from 3 to 11 miles. Included are clear large scale Ordnance Survey route maps and GPS way points. Public transport connections and places of interest are noted en route.

What walks are inside the Greater Manchester Walking Guidebook?

1. Moses Gate Country Park
2. Bramhall Park and Happy Valley
3. Heaton Park
4. Didsbury’s Green Spaces and the Mersey
5. Broadbottom Circular
6. Pennington Flash
7. Marple Aqueduct and Chadkirk Chapel
8. Hall i’th Wood and the Kingfisher Trail
9. Peel Tower and the Holcombe Valley
10. Worsley and RHS Bridgewater
11. Wigan Lock Flight and Haigh Plantations
12. Irlam and Chat Moss
13. Hartshead Pike and Quickedge Hill
14. Tandle Hill and the Rochdale Canal
15. Dunham Massey from Altrincham
16. Middlewood Way and Macclesfield Canal
17. Haigh Windmill and Borsdane Wood
18. The Naden Valley and Healey Dell
19. Werneth Low, a station-to-station walk
20. Kirklees Valley and Burrs Country Park
21. Mellor Moor and the Goyt Valley
22. The Piethorne Valley and Crompton Moor
23. Wigan Greenheart
24. Daisy Nook and Park Bridge
25. Watergrove Horseshoe
26. Winter Hill and Smithills Estate
27. Pots & Pans Circular
28. Harrop Edge and Wild Bank Hill