Five Acres

GM Ringway Stage 17

Follows canal towpaths and quiet paths through Worsley and Monton, mostly flat with gentle gradients perfect for families and buggies on surfaced sections. Dogs welcome throughout. Showcases the historic Bridgewater Canal with its distinctive orange-hued water, Victorian aqueducts, and Worsley's mock-Tudor village. At 16.6km it's a long day out but easily split into shorter sections using frequent road access points along the waterway.

GM Ringway Stage 16

Follows canal towpaths and urban greenways through Wigan's industrial heritage, largely flat with occasional gentle slopes near bridges. Suitable for families and buggies on most sections, though some towpath stretches can be muddy after rain. Dogs welcome on leads near livestock. Offers a surprisingly green corridor through former mill towns, with interesting Victorian canal architecture, swing bridges, and wildlife spotting along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal—rewarding for those interested in indu

New Cut Trail

Trans-Pennine Trail (Warrington to Ashton-upon-Mersey)

Follows a flat, traffic-free former railway line alongside the Manchester Ship Canal and through gentle countryside, making it ideal for families with buggies and young children. Dogs welcome on leads. The smooth tarmac surface suits cyclists too, and you'll enjoy industrial heritage views plus peaceful canal-side stretches. Perfect for an easy linear walk between two towns, with good transport links at both ends for a one-way trip without navigating back.

GM Ringway Stage 18

Follows the Greater Manchester Ringway for 17.4km through varied terrain with moderate inclines, tracing paths around the city's outer edges. This lengthy stage demands good fitness and isn't suitable for buggies or young children given the distance and uneven surfaces. Dogs welcome on leads where routes pass farmland or near roads. Offers a fascinating mix of urban fringe landscapes, green corridors and surprising pockets of countryside that reveal Manchester's transition zones between city and