Walks you can reach from Manchester Airport by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Gatley Station to Wilmslow Station (Cheshire)
5m direct from Manchester Airport.
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.
11km. Moderate ascents.
The section from Nixon's Farm to Wilmslow has numerous stiles, kissing gates and field terrain; Scholes Park is tricky to navigate when muddy.
Lunch stop: Nixon's Farm tea room.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Altrincham Station to Gatley Station (Cheshire)
5m direct from Manchester Airport.
Easy: 10km, gentle ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Hale Station to Gatley Station (Cheshire)
5m direct from Manchester Airport.
Easy: 9km, gentle ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Gatley Station to East Didsbury Station (Cheshire)
5m direct from Manchester Airport.
A pleasant suburban route with no serious elevation change and a good variety of landscapes: woodland, wetland, river, a nature reserve, towpath and housing. Some paths can be muddy and with a few gates and narrow lanes shared with cars; there are steps without a handrail emerging from Gatley Carr. Passes the Gatley Carr nature reserve and part of the Manchester Green Trail; navigation needs care through the housing estate.
Easy: 5km, gentle ascents.
A footpath off Longley Lane is blocked by overgrown holly; a short detour through the housing estate avoids it. The steps up onto the embankment from Gatley Carr have no handrail and may be difficult for those with restricted mobility. Keep dogs under control on narrow lanes shared with cars.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
East Didsbury Station to Stockport Station (Lancashire)
6m direct from Manchester Airport.
A pleasant, largely off-road route following Sustrans Route 62 / the Trans Pennine Trail for about 80 percent of the way, mostly along the north bank of the River Mersey. No steps; surface is solid throughout — tarmac, pavement and compacted aggregate. A few short and fairly steep sections and several access-control barriers. Follows part of Sustrans National Cycle Route 62 and the Trans Pennine Trail.
5km.
A short 15m section measured steeper than 1:5 (over 10 degrees), exceeding most mobility-scooter limits; two A-frame access barriers near Riverview. Care needed in winter at times of flood risk.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
East Didsbury Station to Levenshulme Station (Lancashire)
6m direct from Manchester Airport.
An accessible, level and direct suburban walk on paved footpaths throughout, passing through Fog Lane Park and by several others and with dropped kerbs at crossings. Crosses the Fallowfield Loop, a former railway line now a popular cycle path. Levenshulme station has steps and no lift.
4km.
Lunch: A couple of parades of shops on the way, with a short detour to a large supermarket in Burnage.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Wilmslow Station to Macclesfield Station (Cheshire)
8m direct from Manchester Airport.
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.
12km.
Lunch: Prestbury has a pizzeria and pub.
Macclesfield has shops and pubs.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Knutsford Station to Wilmslow Station (Cheshire)
8m direct from Manchester Airport.
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.
13km. Moderate ascents.
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.
Lunch stop: the Bulls Head.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Wilmslow Station to Cheadle Hulme Station (Cheshire)
8m direct from Manchester Airport.
A direct mix of suburban roads, tracks and field paths, with some wide footpaths. Has steps, a kissing gate and a stile, so foot-traffic only in places. The section through Stanley Green is very marshy and boggy and prone to flooding.
Easy: 7km, moderate ascents.
The 300-400m of footpath between Stanley Road and the playing field can be very muddy and is often flooded in wet weather; waterproof boots recommended. A flight of around 100 steps.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Chelford Station to Wilmslow Station (Cheshire)
8m direct from Manchester Airport.
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.
Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Hale Station to Wilmslow Station (Cheshire)
8m direct from Manchester Airport.
11km. Moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Wilmslow Station to Poynton Station (Cheshire)
8m direct from Manchester Airport.
A good walk with plenty of easily navigated footpath, not much road, some good views, including a long stretch along the river. Unless conditions are exceptionally dry there is a lot of mud and so waterproof boots are essential.
Easy: 10km, gentle ascents.
Construction of the Poynton Relief Road has closed and altered footpaths on the original route; the road crossing as drawn is no longer viable, so a nearby new bridge or a road diversion is needed. Much of the riverside route is very muddy, so waterproof boots are essential.
Lunch: There is an expensive corner store (Budgens) on the A5102 along the way.