Walks you can reach from Hyde Central by train

Romiley Station to Glossop Station (Cheshire)

6m direct from Hyde Central.

Great countryside with stretches along the GM Ringway, a country park and farmland. Some sections are overgrown and difficult underfoot with roots and a felled tree, there are a lot of stiles and particularly leading into Higher Chisworth. Follows part of the GM Ringway and passes through Etherow Country Park, whose café provides good respite. Expect cows and horses in fields.

Tough: steep ascents. 14km.

An angry free-roaming Alsatian at Ernocroft Farm means it is best to skirt around the farm rather than go through it. The GM Ringway section from Romiley to Etherow Country Park is overgrown in parts and difficult underfoot with roots and a felled tree blocking the path; there are also many stiles.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Romiley Station to Marple Station (Cheshire)

6m direct from Hyde Central.

one of my favourite walks; the locks along the way are in an especially lovely setting. A short, mainly canal-towpath route along the Peak Forest Canal, with a short detour over Hyde Bank tunnel, taking in two centuries of transport history. Quiet residential roads and lanes at the start (stones, earth, can be muddy), a long set of steps up to the towpath and a stony unsealed section past Hyde Bank Farm. The Peak Forest Canal fell into disuse and was restored for leisure use, reopening in 1974.

Tough: steep ascents. 4km.

A long set of steps up to the canal from Vale Road (narrow, with a handrail). The towpath can become very muddy in wet weather and is slow to dry. The detour over the tunnel is not accessible.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Stockport Station to Romiley Station (Cheshire)

6m direct from Hyde Central.

A green, fairly direct route over undulating ground between Stockport and Romiley, using quiet back streets to reach the parks, then mostly park pathways and the broad, gravel-surfaced Alan Newton Way. Almost entirely on smooth and compacted or paved surfaces; rougher with small boulders and potholes near Middle Farm. Avoids the flights of steps on the other Stockport-Romiley routes, making it largely step-free; follows National Cycle Route 55. Passes through a working farm, so keep dogs leashed and follow signage.

Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.

Lunch: A cafe in Vernon Park is a short walk off the path.

End-of-walk reward: the Duke of York.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hazel Grove Station to Romiley Station (Cheshire)

6m direct from Hyde Central.

A mixed-surface route on the fringe of Greater Manchester with a country feel: definitive paths, roadside pavements and unrecorded paths, descending under the canal into the Goyt valley and through Chadkirk country park. Steep and cambered woodland paths with exposed tree roots; some wet and boggy field sections after rain. Passes Chadkirk Chapel, which has seats and a well-tended garden, and an aqueduct carrying the canal. The woods are full of wild garlic in spring.

6km.

Crossing Dooley Lane is a challenge with no pelican crossing; cross onto the grass verge and use the old road behind the closed pub. A couple of steep, scrambly woodland paths, slippery when wet.

Lunch: A few shops in Hazel Grove near the end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Levenshulme Station to Gorton Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Hyde Central.

An excellent, almost entirely off-road and accessible route on smooth paved surfaces, mostly traffic-free and following the path of a former canal and then the Fallowfield Loop disused railway cycle track. Easy walking; a final footpath to Gorton Station is grotty. Follows the former Stockport branch canal and the Fallowfield Loop cycle path, passing Highfield Country Park, small reservoirs, and the curious remains of the Gorton Aqueduct over the railway. Train stations at both ends.

Easy: 5km, moderate ascents.

Lunch: Plenty of amenities in Levenshulme, including the Levenshulme Antiques Village; less in Gorton.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Manchester Oxford Road Station to Gorton Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Hyde Central.

An urban canal-side walk following the Rochdale and Ashton canals out of the city centre, then a green cycleway. Towpath is largely flat and paved and but some sections are cobbled and there are steps at the canal access. Passes the Etihad Campus and Co-op Live Arena; the later cycleway follows the course of the former Stockport Branch Canal.

Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.

There are steps from Oxford Street down to the canal. The path where the route leaves Lees Street by Gorton station can be very overgrown; a minor diversion via Beeth Street and Barrass Street is better.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route