Cycle Trails, Tracks & Paths Around Greater Manchester

Bike Week
A website dedicated to all things on cycling and bicycle-related websites at
www.bikeweek.org.uk

Cycling Around Manchester, Lancashire, Cheshire & the North-West

There are over 400 kilometres of identified cycle routes within Greater Manchester, of which about one-third are car free. They include canal towpath and abandoned railway routes as well as public parks, open countryside and river valley trails.

In compiling this web page we have relied heavily on Neil Simpson's fabulous book, "Manchester Cycle Rides" (details following) and heartily recommend it to all would-be cyclists, whether hardened veterans or novice beginners.

"Manchester Cycle Rides"
By Neil Simpson. ISBN 1 84425 026 1. Spiral bound, Limp Cover. Publisher: Haynes Publishing.
20 great rides around Greater Manchester including offroad tracks, cycle trails and the Sustrans National Cycle Network - a must for all local leisure cyclists.

Greater Manchester Cycle Trails

City Centre & Salford

A 7 mile easy and largely flat route running from Piccadilly Rail Station to Victoria Station and taking in Salford Quays with the Imperial War Museum North and the Lowry as well as historic Castlefield and Manchester United's Old Trafford Football Ground.

Mersey Valley River Trails

Two possible routes: First, an easy 9 mile route beginning at Chorlton-cum-Hardy and taking in Sale Water Park, Simon's Bridge and the Mersey Valley. Mountain bike is recommended as 85% is off road and therefore car-free.
Second, a longer 19 mile route to Dunham Park taking in the River Mersey, Dunham Massey Park and its historic house. Only about one-third is car-free, but this is identified as an easy ride with no hills

Heaton Park

A ride through and around Manchester's largest public park, with its historic house and picturesque lake. 14 miles in total and of medium difficulty with some on road riding called for.

Irwell Valley Trail

A round trip of 16 miles - virtually all off-road and car-free - just dog awlkers and horse riders, and an easy fairly flat ride with just a few short gradients. Follows the substantially landscaped Irwell Valley, crosses the M60 and then continues along the defunct East Lancs Railway line, (which can be muddy after rain) past Philips Park and on to Radcliffe. This section is also a popular bridleway with walkers and equestrians. Part of the National Cycle Network Route 6.

Tandle Hill & Hollins

Starting from Tandle Hill Country Park in Royton, an 11 mile route, largely on roads and little of it car-free. An easy to medium difficulty ride with plenty of tarmac surfaced roads and no major hills to climb. Takes in part of the Rochdale Canal towpath and through the woods at Hopwood Hall.

Lever Park

Virtually all off-road and traffic-free this is a short 4 mile easy ride trail around Lever Park for which a mountain bike is recommended. Fantastic woodland trails, the Great House barn (with refreshments), Rivington Village, Reservoir and Castle

Bury Circular

Starting and finishing in Radcliffe, at the northern end of the Irwell Valley Trail (Route 10) and up to Tottington. A medium grade 17 mile route with about one-quarter traffic-free. Follows the route of the partially restored Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal, with excellent surfaced towpaths.

East Manchester Towpaths

Takes in the Manchester Velodrome and Sports City as well as Ashton and Rochdale Canal towpaths. About half of this nine mile route is car-free and fairly easy going.

Bromley Cross & the West Pennine Moors

A 12 mile road-based route, none of it traffic-free, rated as medium grade with a few steep climbs. Takes in Entwistle, Delph Reservoir, Turton, Bromley Cross, Edgworth and Egerton. Not recommended for absolute beginners or children.

Adlington Road Ride

All of it on roads, none of which is car-free, but mostly along quiet lanes, this 10 mile route is rated as difficult with several hills to negotiate. Takes in Anglezarke and Yarrow Reservoirs, moors, and the Great House barn at Rivington

Wigan Pier

A medium grade fairly long 16 mile ride, about half car-free which begins and ends at Wigan's famous pier, taking in part of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and Haigh Country Park.

Hollingworth Lake to Watergrove Reservoir

A 14 mile difficult route for Mountain Bikes only. Long climbs and rocky trails from Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre, through Wardle, Shore, Littleborough, The Pennine Bridleway and part of the Rochdale Canal.

Daisy Nook to Hartshead Pike

A 9 mile long, short, difficult and hilly route for mountain bikes. Through the Medlock Valley to Hartshead Pike.

Altrincham to Lymm

13 miles of easy-ish riding, about one-third of which is car-free, which starts and ends in Altrincham town centre. Takes in Lymm, Dunham Woodhouses and part of the Bridgewater Canal, before returning back to Altrincham.

Dunham Massey to Tatton Park

A 14 mile medium grade route, none of which is car-free and suitable for any type of bicycle.

Middlewood Way and Lyme Park

A 16 mile long medium grade route taking in the Macclesfield Canal towpath, Poynton, Disley and Lyme Park. A study bike or mountain bike is recommended. Somewhat hilly for children and beginners.

Reddish Vale

Two possible routes: first, a long 13 mile clockwise route, three-quarters of which is car-free. Largely flat and easy riding, with some short climbs and off road rough surfaces for which a mountain bike is recommended. Reddish Vale, Portland Basin, Ashton and High Peak Canals included.
Second, beginning and ending at the Reddish Vale Visitor Centre, a 7 mile easy route, part of which joins the Trans-Pennine Trail (see below), touches the outskirts of Stockport town centre before turning back north towards Reddish.

Wilmslow to Tatton Park

A long 20 mile route, virtually hill-free but all on roads so no car-free riding. Takes in Wilmslow, Ashley, Knutsford, bypasses Mobberley and ends at Tatton Hall

Other NorthWest Cycle Routes

The Cheshire Cycleway

A well signposted easy-to-follow 135 mile (216 km) route along quiet byways, forming a circuit which covers most of Cheshire's undulating countryside, with opportunities to discover its quiet pubs, old cottages and sleepy villages, as well as castles, craft workshops and beautiful gardens.

The North Lancashire Cycleway

Launched in 1982, this cycleway runs through beautiful Lancashire hill country from its start at Inglewhite near the famous Longridge Fell and runs towards the coast through Lancaster, the Bowland Fells and the Ribble Valley, passing through Waddington, Ribchester, Slaidburn and Clitheroe.

The Pennine Bridleway

A long distance off-road trail for cyclists and equestrians, an alternative to the Pennine Way, and stretches from Peak District northwards into Northumberland. See www.nationaltrails.co.uk.

The Delamere Forest

In the heart of rural Cheshire, there are many miles of clearly marked cycle-paths through the forest. For more information: Tel: 01606-882167.

The Trans-Penine Trail

The so-called "TPT" is part of the National Cycle Network and is a coast-to-coast route from Liverpool in the west to Hull in the east, a journey of some 215 miles (344km). Shared by cyclists and walkers alike, it is largely car-free and further information can be found on their website at www.transpenninetrail.org.uk.

The National Cycle Network & Sustrans

Sustrans is a national charity that works with local authorities to create the National Cycle Network, which is currently around 10,000 miles in length. Around one-third of the network is traffic-free, dedicated specifically to pedal-power, and the remainder are predominantly quiet lanes and byways.

Manchester's most important part of this network is Route Six, a north-south trail beginning in Salford and travelling north along the Irwell Valley Trail and on up to the Lake District. For more information see their website at www.sustrans.org.uk.