Best walks to or from Wilmslow
Cheshire · North of England | Walks by train
MapBeautiful walks starting or ending at Wilmslow Station.
Wilmslow Station to Macclesfield Station
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
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
Gatley Station to Wilmslow Station
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
Wilmslow Station to Cheadle Hulme Station
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
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
11km. Moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Wilmslow Station to Poynton Station
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.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Wilmslow Station to Bramhall Station
A relatively flat route through a mixture of wooded areas (including Hall Wood), fields and urban streets and with short minor inclines. Has a number of stiles and a couple of gates; fields can be waterlogged and muddy. Rural sections aren't well lit.
Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.
Several stiles; fields can be waterlogged and muddy. Rural sections aren't well lit. Note part of the route may be closed due to bankside erosion on the River Bollin.