Walking
Manchester provides opportunities suited to all individuals and aspirations. Begin from your current position, progress at your own speed, and explore what you can achieve.
Walking
Walking is an easy way to get more active. You can start by taking short walks at home, going to the store, or walking to school. Joining a group or exploring parks is a great way to enjoy walking.
Walking helps you feel better, reduces stress, improves your mood, and helps you sleep well. It also makes your body stronger, helps your heart and lungs, and may lower your risk of illnesses like diabetes and some cancers. Try walking more and see how it feels for you!
Ways to walk in Manchester
Whether you prefer solitary rambles through nature, the camaraderie of a walking group, or discovering new routes across the city, Manchester offers paths for every walker. Find what calls to you.
Walking inspiration
Whether you’re a wild-weather wanderer, a solitary stroller, a hardcore hiker or a weekend walk-and-talker, there’s no one way to walk.
Walking clubs
Join others and build community through regular group walks.
Walking routes
Discover mapped paths that take you through parks and neighbourhoods.
Walking Routes in Manchester
The Manchester Green Trail is a walking circuit made up of 15 routes which circumnavigate the city of Manchester and connect the city’s many beautiful parks, green spaces, waterways and tree lined streets. The Green Trail is a partnership project between The Ramblers, Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester and Manchester Active.
There are 15 stages of the Manchester Green Trail. All are downloadable as PDFs below.
THE 15 ROUTES
1 Chapel Street Park to Delamere Park
2 Delamere Park to Central Park Metrolink
3 Central Park Metrolink to Boggart Hole Clough
4 Boggart Hole Clough to Heaton Park Metrolink
5 Heaton Park Metrolink to Queens Park
6 Queens Park to Mayfield Park and Ardwick Green
7 Ardwick Green to Whitworth Park
8 Whitworth Park to Alexandra Park Café
9 Alexandra Park Café to Chorlton Bus Station
10 Chorlton Bus Station to Southern Cemetery
11 Barlow Moor Road to Martinscroft Metrolink
12 Martinscroft Metrolink to Peel Hall Metrolink
13 Peel Hall Metrolink to Northenden Riverside Park
14 Northenden Riverside Park to Fletcher Moss Park
15 Fletcher Moss Park to Chapel Street Park
See the walking apps section to find other walking routes in the area.
Join the Manchester Ramblers
Whether you’re a wild-weather wanderer, a solitary stroller, a hardcore hiker or a weekend walk-and-talker, there’s no one way to ramble.
The Ramblers is a charity dedicated to removing barriers so everyone can enjoy walking in green spaces and to preserving and improving hundreds of thousands of miles of well-loved paths, tracks and trails across England, Scotland, and Wales. Local groups include;
- The Ramblers
- Manchester and Salford Ramblers
- ‘MAD’ (Manchester and District) Walkers
- Manchester Weekend Walkers
- Manchester Coach Rambles
- Greater Manchester and High Peak Area Walks
There are also Ramblers groups in the other Greater Manchester districts.
Many of the Ramblers groups offer more than just walking; there’s often food and drinks at the end and other social events. They’re a friendly bunch, so give it a go!
The Ramblers are always looking for volunteers to help assist with walks, help with path maintenance and support campaigns. Contact one of the groups listed above for further information.
Ideas for walking in Manchester
Walking is great way to get out and about. Best of all it can revitalise you; helping you feel brighter! It can connect you to your community and to others and with nature. Try to think of what you can do to build a little more walking into your life.
Move a little more
This could be getting up and moving a little more in your home, or garden, walking to the shops, or round the block, getting off the bus a stop earlier or using the stairs rather than the lift. Everyone has different abilities and fitness level, so find what’s right for you.
New Discoveries
Find walks in your local area New local walks are starting up all the time, so ask in your local community or on local social media to see if there are any new walks you can join.
Make a change
Swap inactive things you do, for walking. Walk and talk with a friend, rather than going to their house. Walk with a family member rather than meeting in a café, walk that short journey instead of driving. It won’t take as long as you think!
Become a champion
You can encourage others to walk too! Encourage family, friends, colleagues and neighbours to join you and walk more.
Something different
Capture your surroundings on a photography walk, tune into what’s around you on a mindfullness walk, learn about your local area on a history walk, or see what you can spot on a nature walk.
For the whole family
Walking with your family is a great way have fun and burn off some of that endless energy that children seem to have! Swap your car for your feet on short journeys e.g. walking to school or to the shops.
Sssh don't mention walking!
Some young people and children may not be interested in ‘going for a walk’. Think of ways to encourage your young people outdoors by exploring and having adventures without mentioning walking!
At the workplace
Take time out of your working day to go for a stroll. Just 10 minutes will help you feel more revitalised and able to focus better on your work.
Manchester parks and green spaces
Manchester has many parks and green spaces for everyone to enjoy. Popular places like Heaton Park, Wythenshawe Park, Alexandra Park and Fletcher Moss Gardens offer open areas to walk, relax and explore. Many parks have historic buildings, gardens, sports areas, wildlife, and community events. Some, like Heaton Park, also host large events and provide chances to learn new skills or volunteer.
More than half of Manchester is made up of parks, woods, river paths and other green spaces.
The city works hard to keep these places clean, safe and welcoming for all.
Manchester aims to make parks active, friendly spaces where people can enjoy nature, take part in events, and improve their physical and mental health. Everyone is encouraged to visit these parks, enjoy the outdoors, and get involved in local activities.
Manchester 'Let's Walk' Workshop
The Manchester: Let’s Walk! workshop is an in-person interactive workshop aimed at supporting individuals and organisations to encourage and facilitate more walking in workplaces; communities and amongst families and friends. The workshop includes:
- The many benefits of walking
- Barriers to walking and how to address them
- How to set up and promote your walks
- Resources to encourage walking in Manchester
- Plus the opportunity to share your ideas and learn from others on the workshop
If you’d like to attend a Walking workshop, or for Manchester Active to run a workshop for your organisation, or in your area, then please get in touch at info@mcractive.com
Walking Mum's Club
Walking Mums Club offers weekly walks in Manchester’s parks for new and expectant mums.
Fresh air, being in nature, walking, talking, learning and hysterical laughing (we blame sleep deprivation!) are all great for you (and your baby). That’s why Walking Mums Club was set up.
We’ve built an inclusive community of parents who walk together across parks in Manchester, building new friendships, supporting each other and sharing stories of their parental journeys. Come join us on a walk in your local Manchester park.
It’s a great way to take those first steps pre and post-partum and link in to a network of mums all experiencing the same highs and lows.
Find an activity today
Find a wide range of activities across Manchester - including swimming, fitness classes, sports and holiday activities - all in one easy place.