Walks you can reach from Handforth by train

Walk details: Rail Rambles.

Recommended: A majorly off-road, easy-to-follow walk following the Bollin Valley Way nearly all the way, with steep steps at the Macclesfield end and increasingly marshy ground nearer Wilmslow. Well-marked with gates and steps and infrastructure in good condition. Follows the Bollin Valley Way.

Lunch: Prestbury has a pizzeria and pub.

End-of-walk reward: Macclesfield has shops and pubs.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: Fantastic country side walk. A fantastic countryside walk with very few roads, across open fields and farmland, past Peover Hall and through woodland with rivers. Flat and clear underfoot and but can be very boggy in places after wet weather; Wellington boots recommended then. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: Can be very boggy after wet weather; Wellington boots recommended. A field gate between Peover and Goostrey warns of horses. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

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: An excellent route. A route with plenty of amenities, passing through parkland on the banks of the Bollin. The first half between Gatley and Nixon's Farm is fine for prams and wheelchairs apart from muddy patches in Scholes Park, but the section from the farm to Wilmslow crosses fields with numerous stiles and kissing gates and rougher terrain. Trains and buses are available at either end and at Heald Green near the middle. The Carrs is a park on the banks of the Bollin in Wilmslow.

1 lunch spot: Nixon's Farm tea room

Warnings: The section from Nixon's Farm to Wilmslow has numerous stiles, kissing gates and field terrain; Scholes Park is tricky to navigate when muddy.

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. Extensive woodland.

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

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A lovely hilly stroll across fields, down some lanes and with a couple of main roads. The ground is decent underfoot in dry conditions.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A mix of residential streets, woodland, narrow paths between houses and open fields, crossing pasture and golf courses. Mostly gentle going and though one field can get boggy and a few sections are unsigned and need care navigating. Extensive woodland.

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. Extensive woodland.

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.