Walks you can reach from Pemberton by train

Hindley Station to Atherton Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Pemberton.

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

Wigan Wallgate Station to Ince Station (Lancashire)

4m direct from Pemberton.

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

Hindley Station to Westhoughton Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Pemberton.

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

Kearsley Station to Swinton (Manchester) Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Pemberton.

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)

30m direct from Pemberton.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Walkden Station to Swinton (Manchester) Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Pemberton.

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)

30m direct from Pemberton.

Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Swinton (Manchester) Station to Salford Crescent Station (Lancashire)

30m direct from Pemberton.

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)

30m direct from Pemberton.

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)

45m direct from Pemberton.

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.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Ince Station to Hindley Station (Lancashire)

15m direct from Pemberton.

Uses former railway lines through now-wooded areas with reed-filled ponds, plus narrower and muddy paths through Amberswood Common and an unclear footpath around playing fields. Good paths on the railway sections; heavy metal kissing gates restrict wheel users. Uses former railway lines from the Wigan coalfields; good for birdsong and wildlife, with deer seen.

4km.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Eccles Station to Salford Crescent Station (Lancashire)

45m direct from Pemberton.

A decent urban route, mostly on pavement past shops, with a gradual uphill section and a stretch through Buile Hill Park on wide tarmac paths. Generally accessible and though pavement parking and informal crossings can hamper passage.

Easy: 5km, moderate ascents.

Lunch: Many shops along the way.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route