Walks you can reach from East Didsbury by train

Recommended: 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.

Time: 3h–6h

1 lunch spot: Nixon's Farm tea room

Warnings: The section from Nixon's Farm to Wilmslow has numerous stiles, kissing gates and field terrain; Scholes Park is tricky to navigate when muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: 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.

Waterway: four fifths along the River Bollin.

Time: 3h–6h30

Lunch: Prestbury has a pizzeria and pub.

End-of-walk reward: Macclesfield has shops and pubs.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: 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.

Time: 3h30–7h

1 lunch spot: the Bulls Head

Warnings: 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.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

An alternative that stays on the Bridgewater Canal all the way to Stockton Heath before entering Warrington and making a very nice canal walk between the urban areas.

Time: 4h30–9h

Lunch: A pub at Moore on the canal.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 3h30–7h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

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.

Time: 2h30–5h

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A superb, mostly off-road walk along the historic St Helens/Sankey Canal towpath (tarmac or metalled earth) through peaceful countryside and with the canal a string of pools and reedbeds. Largely accessible to wheels and cycles with some width restrictions and sometimes stony or muddy surfaces; one steep tarmac climb and a stepped footbridge at Earlestown. Follows the St Helens/Sankey Canal, passing the Sankey Viaduct (George Stephenson's monument, the first major railway bridge in the world), old locks, and the 'Mucky Mountains' spoil heaps of the former vitriol works, now reclaimed by nature. Stations at both ends with working lifts.

Waterway: three fifths along the Sankey Canal.

Time: 2h30–5h30

Lunch: Shops, pubs and eateries at both ends.

Warnings: Crossing the railway at Earlestown uses a stepped footbridge, making the route foot-only.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A foot-only rural route: a well-paved towpath along the Shropshire Union Canal as far as Stoak, then a lengthy section of open country walking across marshes grazed by sheep and cattle, paved roads through Thornton-le-Moors, a track out across Frodsham Marsh into Frodsham. A good open rural route and only somewhat marred by heavy industry at the edge.

Time: 5h–9h30

End-of-walk reward: Frodsham is full of good pubs and historic buildings; shops at both town ends.

Warnings: Marsh terrain and livestock make it foot-only.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A route with urban ends and a pleasant rural middle, following the Sankey Canal through good countryside. Surfaces range from tarmac cycle track to unmade, muddy and grassy paths; access gates and steps make it mostly foot-only and parts are liable to flood after heavy rain. Follows the Sankey (St Helens) Canal, considered England's first industrial canal, with remnants of locks along the way; much of the route is a designated cycle route. Free car park at Newton-le-Willows station.

Time: 2h30–5h30

Warnings: Parts can flood after severe rain; several muddy sections, access gates, steps and kissing gates. A couple of road crossings at each end.

Walk details: Slow Ways.