Best walks from Swinton (Manchester)

Kearsley Station to Swinton (Manchester) Station

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

Swinton (Manchester) Station to Salford Crescent Station

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

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

Walkden Station to Swinton (Manchester) Station

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