Best walks to or from Hyde Central

Hyde Central Station to Glossop Station

A hilly route through pretty woods, up and down steps and over stiles, with sections of pasture. Heavily used paths mean stretches of deep, sucking mud, there is a steep and slippery stream crossing with a scramble down and up each bank. Partly along the Trans Pennine Trail. Partly follows the Trans Pennine Trail, with stiles, steps and rough surfaces.

Tough: steep ascents. 11km.

A difficult stream crossing with a steep scramble down one muddy bank and up the other, plus an electric-fence crossing point. Deep mud on heavily used paths; stout footwear needed. Horses may be in the fields near Hargate Hill.

Lunch stop: Lymefield tea room.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Romiley Station to Hyde Central Station

Lovely views. After an initial urban section, an almost entirely rural canal towpath walk forming the majority of the route, with a wooded slope down to the River Tame. The surface is crushed limestone and packed earth and a good width but worn to muddy puddles in places. There are two canal tunnels and several cobbled bridges. Mostly accessible for pushchairs and cycles with care, though there are steps at the Hyde access points.

Easy: 5km, moderate ascents.

Woodley Tunnel runs for several hundred metres with uneven, often wet paving underfoot; a torch is recommended. Access to the towpath from Hyde involves steps and a cobbled slope, and the busy A57 here is difficult to cross.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hyde Central Station to Stalybridge Station

A largely suburban route with a lot of pavement, lifted by city parks and a section past Hough Hill with broad views in winter. The middle includes a muddy slope through woods and a stoned dirt track that can flood; surfaces are tarmac pavement, park pathways and muddy woods and reinforced dirt track. The suburban sections and parks are suitable for wheels.

Tough: steep ascents. 6km.

The middle section can be very muddy, with fallen trees in the woods south of Cheetham Park and a dirt track that floods after wet weather.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route