SALE WATER PARK
STAGE 1 – MANCHESTER TO SALE WATER PARK
Are you an unpaid carer in Manchester, Bury, Salford or Wigan? Manchester and Salford Ramblers along with carers groups lead regular walks especially for unpaid carers. It is essential to book onto this walk as places are limited.
Head out for a beginners’ walk with the MileShyClub at Sale Water Park this May for the GM Walking Festival.
Grab the full route information and Plotaroute map here
Join us for a walk along the GM Ringway
Hello there!
Finally, the sun is settling into a groove these past few weeks, so we can all feel hopeful for lovely Greater Manchester walks without raincoats and brollies.
This month’s newsletter might have you glued to your screen for a while, so grab a brew and settle comfortably into your chair to plan some walks for the coming weeks.
May is National Walking Month and Greater Manchester Walking Festival, and we are pleased to have a lot of walks happening on the GM Ringway led by some inspiring and friendly groups across the region. The walk creator, Andrew Read, is even leading some! You will be able to join a beginners’ walk (under 1-mile) with the MileShyClub team at Sale Water Park; lace up your boots for some hilly hiking from Bromley Cross to Blackrod with the South Pennines Park team, or take in the fantastic route from Irlam to Altrincham with the Manchester Weekend Walkers. There are 14 walks along the GM Ringway for you to pick from. Or, plan your own with your family, friends or for a solo dog walk by checking out our routes. Please share your pictures; we would love to see what you’re doing! (email them to me!)
We look forward to celebrating walking in all its styles and forms this National Walking Month and welcoming you onto the GM Ringway.
Happy walking!
Sarah and the GM Ringway Team
PS: Please feel free to share this newsletter with your friends, family and social media contacts! The more the merrier. Thanks.
FLETCH MOSS GARDENS
STAGE 2 – SALE WATER PARK TO DIDSBURY VILLAGE
Are you an unpaid carer in Manchester, Bury, Salford or Wigan? Manchester and Salford Ramblers along with carers groups lead regular walks especially for unpaid carers. It is essential to book onto this walk as places are limited.
Find out more about the festival walk here
Grab the full route information and Plotaroute map here
CHEADLE
STAGE 3 – DIDSBURY TO BRAMHALL
Join Ian from Come Walk With Me to walk the stage 3 of the GM Ringway from Didsbury Village to Bramhall, taking in some of the lovely suburbs along the way.
Find out more about the festival walk here
Grab the full route information and Plotaroute map here
Things to remember when you’re heading on a walk
- Wear appropriate seasonal clothing including a wind/rainproof jacket, sensible walking footwear and hat or head covering for sun protection
- Take plenty of water with you
- If you need medication e.g. for asthma or allergies, be sure to bring them along
- Pack nutritious snacks in case you get hungry along the way
- Carry a suitable rucksack or bag that can hold your items comfortably for the duration of the walk
MARPLE CANAL
STAGE 6 – STRINES TO MARPLE
Stockport Ramblers are leading the Strines to Marple stage of the GM Ringway. Highlights include Mellor village, with its Iron Age archeological site and church with the oldest wooden pulpit in England and Marple’s famous flight of locks.
Find out about the festival walk here
Grab the full route information and Plotaroute map here
ETHEROW COUNTRY PARK
STAGE 7 – MARPLE TO BROADBOTTOM
Mandem Meetup – the men’s mental health community, are meeting up for a walk at Etherow Nature Reserve, one of England’s first parks.
Find the festival walk here
Grab the full route information and Plotaroute map here
WERNETH LOW
STAGE 7 – MARPLE TO BROADBOTTOM
Experience the spectacular views from Werneth Low with this walk led by Manchester and Salford Ramblers
Find the festival walk here
Grab the full route information and Plotaroute map here
CHEW VALLEY
STAGE 8 – BROADBOTTOM TO GREENFIELD
Join Stockport Ramblers for this linear walk is 11.5 miles long with 1750 ft of ascent from Broadbottom to Greenfield to take in some of the most beautiful views over the Chew Valley
Find the festival walk here
Grab the full route information and Plotaroute map here
SADDLEWORTH
STAGE 9 – GREENFIELD TO NEWHEY
Andrew Read (the route creator) will be leading stage 9 from Greenfield to Newhey exploring the varied landscapes of Saddleworth
Find the festival walk here
Grab the full route information and Plotaroute map here
HOLLINGWORTH LAKE
STAGE 10 – NEWHEY TO LITTLE
STEP-FREE & BEGINNERS
Sample a part of the GM Ringway with this nature-filled walk around Hollingworth Lake with the route creator Andrew Read
Find the festival walk here
Grab the full route information and Plotaroute map here
HOLCOMBE HILL
STAGE 13 – BURY TO BROMLEY CROSS
Andrew Read (the route creator) has created this special walk especially for the 2023 GM Walking Festival, connects Bury town centre with Ramsbottom to the north. It includes part of the GM Ringway – Greater Manchester’s walking trail – and the opportunity to view of travel on, the East Lancashire Railway.
Find the festival walk here
BARROW BRIDGE
STAGE 14 – BROMLEY CROSS TO BLACKROD
Join the South Pennines Park team to explore some of the incredible landscape from Bromley Cross to Blackrod. With the help of the Woodland Trust, you will explore how and why this landscape has changed and how it supports such a diverse range of habitats and wildlife (hopefully some will make an appearance)
Find the festival walk here
Grab the full route information and Plotaroute map here
Fancy leading some walks yourself in the future?
We will be looking for qualifies walk leaders and volunteers keen to train up to lead walks soon! Sign up for the volunteer newsletter to keep in the loop and find out how and when you can get involved.
LEEDES-LIVERPOOL CANAL
STAGE 15 – BLACKROD TO WIGAN
DUNHAM MASSEY
STAGE 18 – IRLAM TO ALTRINCHAM
Manchester Weekend Walkers will be leading walk from Irlam to Altrincham on the day of the Coronation for those of us who love a quieter walking route!
Find the festival walk here
Grab the full route information and Plotaroute map here
MEDIA CITY
STAGE 20 – STRETFORD TO MANCHESTER
Manchester Weekend Walkers will be leading walk from Irlam to Altrincham on the day of the Coronation for those of us who love a quieter walking route!
Find the festival walk here
Grab the full route information and Plotaroute map here
STEP-FREE, BEGINNERS & FAMILY FRIENDLY
Beyond Empower and Salford Community Leisure are running this relatively flat and step-free wellbeing walk around Salford Quays starting from the Media City tram stop. If you’re new to walking, then this is a great starting place!
Find the festival walk here
Find the full route information and Plotaroute map here
I hope you have enjoyed getting inspired by the walks that you can join at the GM Walking Festival for 2023.
Whether you are joining a GM Ringway walk, another local one, or just stepping out your door for a local wander, we hope you have an excellent walking month!