Walks you can reach from Daisy Hill by train
MapA day hike is just a simple train journey away — plan your next day of green.
Hindley Station to Atherton Station (Lancashire)
5m direct from Daisy Hill.
A fairly direct route along a quiet road with fields on one side, then footpaths through woods and across fields, with a cut through Central Park towards the finish. Some sections off-road can be overgrown and one footpath surfaced with broken roof tiles. Finishes at St John's Church, Atherton.
7km.
A blind bend when crossing Coupland Road from the south; one short footpath was so overgrown it was easier to stay on the road.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Littleborough Station to Marsden Station (Lancashire)
1h direct from Daisy Hill.
Tough: steep ascents. 16km.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Todmorden Station to Littleborough Station (Lancashire)
1h direct from Daisy Hill.
The scenery was very pretty. Almost entirely along the Rochdale Canal towpath, crossing the Pennine summit, on pretty Millstone Grit bridges and lock walls. The towpath has puddles and a few cobbled, cambered or planked sections, plus a wooded and muddy final stretch to Todmorden station. Follows the Rochdale Canal (including its summit) and is part of the National Cycle Network. Waterfalls tumble down the hills either side of the canal; an air vent for the railway Summit Tunnel can be spotted.
Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.
One tricky stretch of towpath under the A58 Halifax Road and up the side of Durn Lock is cambered, sloping and cobbled. The wooded final section to Todmorden station can be muddy with planks across it.
Lunch stop: the Summit Inn.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Hindley Station to Westhoughton Station (Lancashire)
5m direct from Daisy Hill.
pleasant open countryside with far-reaching views. A pleasant route making full use of the path through delightful Borsdane Wood, emerging from an industrial estate into open countryside with far-reaching views, on waymarked and well-defined tracks. Very muddy in places; a steep set of steps down into the wood. Goes through Borsdane Wood and forms part of the Community Rail Trail between Wigan and Bolton.
Tough: steep ascents. 5km.
A steep set of steps leads down into Borsdane Wood.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Wigan Wallgate Station to Ince Station (Lancashire)
8m direct from Daisy Hill.
A slightly longer alternative that is almost entirely off-road and maximising use of the canal towpath and taking in the historic Wigan Pier area. Uses the canal towpath and forms part of the Community Rail Trail between Wigan and Bolton, taking in the historic Wigan Pier.
Easy: 2km, moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Kearsley Station to Swinton (Manchester) Station (Lancashire)
15m direct from Daisy Hill.
a magnificent view from meccano bridge at Nob End. A great walk that winds downhill from Swinton into a lush country park created from former mining land, contrasting natural beauty with industrial monoliths and past a lake and marina. There is one short steep climb to a fine viewpoint near the end. Starts near the birthplace of L S Lowry. The route can be extended to Ringley to see the bridge and the River Irwell, and to Nob End for the viewpoint.
Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.
A field on the route often contains horses; an alternative around it is suggested. Part of the published route uses a private road.
Lunch: A cafe at Clifton Country Park, mid-route.
End-of-walk reward: the Horseshoe.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Walkden Station to Kearsley Station (Lancashire)
15m direct from Daisy Hill.
Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Walkden Station to Swinton (Manchester) Station (Lancashire)
15m direct from Daisy Hill.
A pleasant, largely urban route that makes the most of green spaces, starting on a smooth wide woodland cycle track (the Roe Green Loopline), then a footpath parallel to the motorway, more woodland and fields and before crossing a pedestrian bridge over the A580 and finishing through residential streets and Moorside Park. Steps and a cycle barrier on the loopline section. Uses the Roe Green Loopline cycle track. Crosses two major roads (M60 and A580) but has a surprising amount of green space.
5km.
Steps at both ends of the cycle-track section and a cycle barrier; the A580 footbridge has shallow sloping steps.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Walkden Station to Farnworth Station (Lancashire)
15m direct from Daisy Hill.
Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Swinton (Manchester) Station to Salford Crescent Station (Lancashire)
15m direct from Daisy Hill.
A largely green urban route on pavements, paved paths, alleyways and park tracks, all on hard surfaces. Steers away from the busier roads where possible and using safe underpasses to cross the A580. Includes a pleasant stretch through Buile Hill Park.
6km.
Take care crossing Wellington Road, where sight lines along Swinton Hall Road are blocked by a house on the corner.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Swinton (Manchester) Station to Eccles Station (Lancashire)
15m direct from Daisy Hill.
A quick, direct route from one high street to another and mixing estate streets and public footpaths with a large newly-laid path through a park. The rough footpath surfaces are well lit and reasonably safe.
Easy: 3km, moderate ascents.
Where the route reaches the busy A580 East Lancs Road, a well-lit underpass a short distance away is a safer crossing than the route as drawn.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Salford Crescent Station to Manchester Oxford Road Station (Lancashire)
30m direct from Daisy Hill.
A largely off-road, well-paved city walk through Peel Park and a lengthy stretch following the River Irwell, before climbing into central Manchester via ginnels, squares and pedestrianised streets. Surfaces are tarmac or tightly packed throughout and but several flights of steps make it a foot-only route. Heron and cormorant can be seen along the Irwell. Peel Park is claimed to be the world's first public park.
0km.
Multiple flights of steps. Some passages (notably the gated, glass-atrium passage near the Central Library) are closed at night, so it's best done in daylight. Continual city-centre building works can impede progress.