Walks you can reach from Hale by train

Pedestrianised Altrincham, the Devisdale, woodland, a golf course and the Bridgewater Canal towpath, near the Dunham Massey estate.

The Bridgewater Canal: England's first major industrial-era canal, completed in 1761, whose tree-lined towpath threads continuously from rural Cheshire into central Manchester.

Dunham Massey: A National Trust Georgian mansion set in a 300-acre deer park, lying just west of the Altrincham circular route.

Time: 2h30

Lunch: Various pubs, cafes and takeaways in Altrincham, plus the Axe and Cleaver and Bay Malton pubs on the route.

Warnings: Take care crossing the golf course; towpath can be very muddy.

Walk details: Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership.

Flat Cheshire field paths through Tatton Park, its meres and mansion, the moated Holford Hall and the town of Knutsford.

Tatton Park: A historic estate with a Georgian mansion, deer park and two meres (Tatton Mere and Melchett Mere) on the edge of Knutsford.

Time: 3h30

Lunch: Tatton Park Mansion courtyard has cafe facilities roughly halfway round.

Warnings: Field sections have several stiles and can be muddy.

Walk details: Northern Railway (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Walk details: Rail Rambles.

Recommended: A flat, mostly straightforward walk through lovely Cheshire countryside, with quiet field and farmland paths past pubs and over Paddock Hill. Some narrower paths have overgrowth, particularly nettles and there are multiple paths to choose from at the Knutsford end requiring care. A frequent bus (number 88) links the two towns; planes can be seen landing at Manchester Airport, and there are alpacas on Paddock Hill.

Time: 3h30–7h

1 lunch spot: the Bulls Head

Warnings: Some narrow paths are overgrown with nettles; the Longridge to Pavement Lane section near Knutsford has multiple paths and needs a map to stay on route.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: Fabulous houses to admire en-route. A lovely, very flat and straightforward walk on obvious footpaths through varied fields, woods and countryside, peaceful and well-marked. A few sections can be overgrown, there are about three stiles and but the ground is easy and the ways are clear. Good transport links: buses to Knutsford and trains from Chelford allow a circular trip. Plenty of places to sit and rest with views of the Cheshire Plain.

Time: 3h–5h30

End-of-walk reward: A local grocer's and, with a short diversion, a pub at Chelford.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A varied walk over fields, woodland and streams, clearly marked throughout, but a little boggy in places and so good boots are needed especially in winter. The public footpath through Toft Woods / Windmill Wood may be closed for tree-felling.

Time: 4h30–9h

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 4h30–9h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 3h30–7h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.