A few weeks ago, I hopped off a tram at St. Peter’s Square on a typically grey morning: a common occurrence for many Mancunians. However, my day took an unusual turn when I then walked from there to the Mersey Valley. I bet you weren’t expecting that...
Believe it or not, it is entirely possible and rather easy to walk an almost totally traffic-free 11km route from the city centre out to the green and pleasant land around Sale Water Park in just under 4 hours.
The walk began opposite St. Peter's Square tram stop in the city centre
How did I do it? By walking the first stage of the GM Ringway.
The GM Ringway is a 300km walking trail that traces a circular path (if your definition of a circle is rather loose) around the city-region through each of the 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester.
Designed around existing footpaths, parks and waterways, the GM Ringway is split into 20 stages and connects walkers with the city-region’s diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. You can tackle the whole thing if you’re feeling adventurous, or complete smaller sections if you fancy shorter walks.
The walk was led Dr Andrew Read, creator of the GM Ringway
Stage 1 begins by strolling along the Rochdale and Bridgewater canals, meandering through Castlefield, and passing Old Trafford. Later, you can stop in Longford Park to visit their petting zoo, cafe and play areas, making it a lovely option for families.
You then follow sections of the Trans Pennine Trail, venture through the lovely grassland of Turn Moss, and finally access the tree-lined paths and lanes of the Mersey Valley greenbelt. Conveniently, Stage 1 ends right next to the Sale Water Park tram stop, so it’s easy to head back into the city at this point.
From canal paths...
We all know that access to nature is important for a whole host of reasons. A recent report by Greater Manchester Combined Authority showed that 93 per cent of residents consider it important to live close to green space, but an estimated third of Greater Manchester’s population don’t live within 15 minutes of one.
Statistics like these go to show why things like the GM Ringway are so important. It was specifically designed around existing routes and the tram, train and bus network, making it easier for people to access all stages and get out of the city.
... to grassy parkland and tree-lined paths
I thoroughly enjoyed it; as someone who can sometimes find the busy rush of Manchester quite overwhelming, it was a breath of fresh air to explore this peaceful and varied route. I saw Canada geese and pigeons aplenty along the towpaths, and there was no shortage of cute dogs once we made it to the greener parts of the trail.
Speaking of dogs, the Ringway is ideal for adventure-loving pups, but be sure to keep them on a lead in sensitive areas like moorland, wetlands, farmland and parkland. Keeping dogs on leads helps protect both livestock and wildlife, especially ground-nesting birds.
The route takes you from the city centre out to the Mersey Valley
So, whether you’re a seasoned explorer or just looking for an easy-going stroll, the GM Ringway can take you off the beaten track and help you find some of the hidden green spaces in the city-region we call home.
For more information, visit: https://www.gmringway.org
