Walks near Manchester by train

Some of the most spectacular views in the Peak District. Footpaths, farm trails, gritstone ridge, hill trails and country lanes. Detailed route map, photographs and route preview video available.

Hilly: a third on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Time: 3h30–7h30

Warnings: Challenging in places.

Walk details: Let's Go Peak District (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

The most magnificent views of the Hope Valley, the Edale Valley and even into the Derwent Valley. Hill trails over moorland and an old Roman road. Detailed route map, photographs and route preview video available.

Time: 3h–6h

Walk details: Let's Go Peak District (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Green valley, gritstone escarpment edge, open moorland plateaus, ancient hill fort, narrow wooded gorge with tumbling waterfalls and quiet river pastures.

Time: 5h30

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Mostly field tracks with a steep descent and several stiles. Passes the regally-sounding village of King Sterndale.

Time: 3h30

Warnings: Steep downhill section to the railway line and several stiles.

Walk details: Buxton Town Team (PDF).

Impressive vistas. Old railway trackbed (Longdendale Trail/Trans Pennine Trail), moorland paths and country roads. Trans Pennine Trail follows the course of the old Woodhead Railway Line between Manchester and Sheffield. Electrified with new tunnel in 1950s, closed 1981 after 30 years.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 7h–14h

Warnings: Steep tarmac section; busy A628 crossed three times; steep climb.

Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).

Flat urban canal towpaths and riverside paths along the Sheffield & Tinsley Canal and Five Weirs Walk, past Victoria Quays and the Tinsley locks. An easy waterside start to the trail.

Victoria Quays: A large canal basin in Sheffield constructed 1816-1819 as the terminus of the Sheffield Canal.

The Sheffield & Tinsley Canal: A canal opened in 1819 to link the city with the navigable River Don, famous for featuring in the opening scenes of the film The Full Monty.

Walk details: Penistone Line Trail / Penistone Line Partnership (PDF).

Urban streets, landscaped Victorian cemetery, municipal parkland, narrow wooded valley, open moorland, rugged gritstone edges and a scenic descent into lush valley.

Time: 6h30

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Commanding views from the top. Rough stone steps. The Great Ridge forms the divide between the limestone White Peak and the peaty gritstone Dark Peak. An ancient culture built a hillfort on Mam Tor.

Hilly: half on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Time: 4h30–8h30

Warnings: Rough stone steps; busy road at the pass; cattle grid.

Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).

Limestone and gritstone uplands, pastures with panoramic views, landslip area, dry limestone gorge, collapsed cave dale, upland moor and scenic river descent.

Time: 7h

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Spectacular gritstone Stanage Edge. Gritstone edges including Stanage Edge and Burbage Edge, moorland, woodland and riverside paths. Gritstone edges carved by ice age glaciers; historically used for millstone quarrying. Pride and Prejudice film location.

Hilly: three fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Time: 5h–9h30

Warnings: Hard terrain; rocky gritstone boulders to traverse.

Walk details: Walk Midlands (tips, photos and local insights).

Steep ascent to heathery ridge, exposed moorland, gritstone escarpments, upland peat bog and scenic ridgeline with panoramic valley views.

Time: 6h30

Warnings: Steep ascents and descents.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Gritstone edges, open moorland, pastures with views, ancient oak woods, plantation woods, reservoir shore and Hope Valley.

Time: 6h30

Warnings: Steep descents.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).