Are you searching for the best forest walks near Manchester? Well, you’re in the right place.
Sometimes it’s good to get out of the city and connect with nature. Luckily for those living in or visiting Manchester, some of the best most charming forests surround the city.
Whether you discover the bluebell-filled forests in spring, escape the summer heat, crunch through autumnal leaves or prance through a small smattering of snow during winter you’ll find an enjoyable walk.
From designated forests to country parks, there are a variety of spots for all fitness levels to enjoy country walks near Manchester.
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Alderley Edge Woodland Walk
- Time / Distance: 2hr 18min / 8.2 km
The charming village of Alderley Edge is 6 miles northwest of Macclesfield and home to a beautiful forest near Manchester.
This 8.2 km loop trail takes just under 2 ½ hours and is an easy-going route that caters to most abilities.
Starting at Chorley Hall Lane opposite Windermere Drive, this route heads along Green Lane.
This loop walk offers beautiful views of open fields, woodland, and country lanes. Parts of the trail can become muddy in places so it’s best to come prepared with walking boots especially if it’s been raining.
This trail is ideal for dog walkers, families with kids and those looking for a simple slightly forested walk.
HOW TO GET THERE:
You can drive from Manchester to Alderley Edge via the A5103.
You can park at the National Trust Alderley Edge Car Park that’s just off the B5087, close to The Wizard Tearoom or find street parking in the village close to Chorley Hall Lane.
Alternatively, you can get a 44 minute train from Manchester Piccadilly to Alderley Edge station which is just an 11 minute walk from the start of this trail.
Philips Park Loop
- Time / Distance: 30 min / 2.1km
If you are looking for countryside walks near Manchester, look no further than Philips Park loop.
Not only is this an excellent place to enjoy nature but there’s a lot of history as well.
Philips Park dates back to 1846 and is one of the oldest municipal parks in the entire country.
This is a great loop walk for kids as there is a rewarding play area in the park. It is also a suitable trail for runners and dog walkers.
This walk starts just off Stuart Street. Along this walk, you’ll be treated to rich woodland, grassland, and wildlife.
HOW TO GET THERE:
This park is 11km northwest of Philips Park and takes around 45 minutes to get there by car.
Outwood Country Park
- Time / Distance: 57 min / 4.2 km
This route starts outside the Urban Cycle Centre just off Ringley Road West in Radcliffe.
So, if you fancy renting bikes instead of walking you know where to go.
It’s a circular route so it will take you right back where you started.
This walk follows the trails of Outwood Country Park, which is made up of 60 hectares of woodland and paths.
The 4km Outwood Trail winds around the park, past the Outwood viaduct and via a small lake.
Outwood Country Park is one of the quietest countryside walks near Manchester. It’s definitely a place to escape the city and breathe in the fresh air.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Outwood Country Park is a 26 minute drive northwest of Manchester. First head along the A665 and then the A56.
Daisy Nook
- Time / Distance: 1 hr 29 min / 6.4km
Daisy Nook is a 40-hectare country park near Ashton-under-Lyne.
This cutely named area is really popular among walkers and bird and fishing enthusiasts.
Beginning at the car park the walk heads right through Daisy Nook Country Park.
This is considered an easy route and takes around an hour and a half to complete.
This is a lovely walk because of the varied landscape.
There’s a lake, waterways, forest and floral meadows in spring and summer.
This is also one of the excellent wood walks near Manchester for spotting wildlife.
Search for foxes, squirrels and owls and see if you can hear the occasional woodpecker.
HOW TO GET THERE:
It is possible to get a train from Manchester to Ashton-under-Lyne.
From Ashton-under-Lyne you will have to take a taxi near Crime Lake where the walk starts.
It is easiest, however, to drive to the start of this walk.
From Manchester, it takes around 25 minutes to drive to the car park that’s situated near Crime Lake.
Lantern Wood
- Time / Distance: 2 hr 3 min / 6.1km
This 6.1km loop trail at Lantern Wood is close to the village of Disley.
This is considered to be a moderately challenging route.
Because of the attraction of Lyme Park (the stately home used in TV’s Pride & Prejudice) nearby, this is a popular walk among visitors to the area.
This route starts at the car park off Old W Park Drive close to Lyme Hall. The trail heads around Reflection Lake and then to Lantern Wood.
This route is considered moderate in difficulty because there is a short climb to the top of Higher Moor.
This walk then heads back to the starting location via Park Moor, Knightslow Wood, and Drinkwater Meadow.
HOW TO GET THERE:
To reach the starting point of this walk it’s best to follow directions to Lyme Hall from Manchester. Via the A34 it takes just under an hour to reach Lyme Hall.
Highfield Country Park Loop
- Time / Distance: 31m / 2.3km
Another of the best woodland walks near Manchester is the Highfield Country Park Loop.
This is a really quick and easy route but perfect if you are in the area and want to access some of England’s beautiful nature.
You’ll find other walkers and runners on the trail as well as dog walkers.
The Highfield Country Park Loop starts on Bowler Street.
This route follows Fallowfield Brook for a stretch before passing deeper into the woodland.
It should be noted that this trail can become very muddy in places so it’s best to bring some sturdy shoes.
The good thing about this walk is you can choose to shorten or extend your walk by opting for some of the park’s other paths.
HOW TO GET THERE:
You can take the train to Levenshulme from Manchester Piccadilly, which is super cheap and takes around 6 minutes. Alternatively, you can drive which takes around 20 minutes via Stockport Road/A6.
Chorlton Ees
- Time / Distance: 1hr 30min / 3km
Another of the best woodland walks near Manchester is Chorlton Ees Nature Reserve.
This walk starts at the carpark on Brookburn Road opposite the Bowling Green Pub.
You’ll see a noticeboard on the right side of the car park, next to it is the path you need to take. You then need to follow the path heading through the woods.
Soon you’ll pass Ivy Green allotments on your right.
Next, you’ll come across a bridge and head into the woods for some much-needed shade in summer.
Later you’ll pass by the Old Cow Field which is frequented by sparrowhawks.
HOW TO GET THERE:
From Manchester, it’s just a 20 minute drive southwest of the city. To find the exact location for the car park use the postcode M21 9ES.
Abney Hall Park
- Time / Distance: / 2.7km
Abney Hall Park is near Cheadle around 12 km outside of Manchester.
Grade II listed Abney Hall was built in 1847. The surrounding grounds provide visitors with beautiful woodlands to explore.
The Abney Hall Park walk is very simple as you can just follow the pathways that lead through the park.
These paths lead around two small lakes, across dry marshland and a field of Jersey cattle.
After your walk, you can round off the day with a bite to eat at the Abney Café.
If you are visiting with children, they will love the play area that has a number of toys to play with.
On a hot summer’s day, you can also grab yourself a 99 ice-cream (though it certainly won’t be 99p).
HOW TO GET THERE:
It’s most convenient to drive to Abney Hall Park. You can follow the postcode SK8 2PD which will take you right there.
It is possible to reach Abney Hall by train. From Piccadilly you take the northern service to East Didsbury then from East Didsbury Station (Stop J) you can take the 42C bus to Handforth Dean and stop off at Alexandra Hospital where you will need to walk for 5 minutes to Abney Hall Park.
Macclesfield Forest
- Time / Distance: 2hr 15min / 7.1km
If you are searching for forests near Manchester, check out this Macclesfield Forest circular route.
This is the perfect walk if you are wanting a longer, more challenging hike. At 7.1km this route will take between 2 and 2 ½ hours.
The walk is made interesting because of the varied terrain.
There are pathways, rocky sections as well as the forest. Walkers enjoy the beautiful views and spotting local birdlife.
HOW TO GET THERE:
It is best to drive to Macclesfield Forest where you can park at the Trentabank car park just off Standing Stone Road. This is one of the furthest walks from Manchester but still just a one hour drive.
Quarry Bank
- Time / Distance: 1hr / 2.4 km
This Quarry Bank circular walk is in Wilmslow around 30 minutes drive south of Manchester.
This moderately challenging trail starts at Quarry Bank Mill Yard.
You will first head uphill towards Apprentice House and then turn left following the signposts for Styal village.
Soon you will see a steel bridge but do not cross it, instead after 100 metres head down some stone steps to cross over Chapel Bridge.
Next up on the walk, you will discover the overgrown Folly Bridge as well as a giant redwood tree.
Then your walk will start meandering alongside the River Bollin, which adds all the ambiance for a lovely walk.
In the Mill Yard, there are toilets, a café, and even an electric vehicle charging point.
HOW TO GET THERE:
If you are driving to this walk then you’ll want to use the postcode SK9 4LA or grid reference SL835830. Styal train station is also 0.5 miles away and takes between 30 and 40 minutes from Manchester.
Bluebell Wood (Piethorne Valley)
- Time / Distance: 2 – 2 ½ hrs / 12.9 km
Who doesn’t love a good bluebell-lined forest? This is one of the best woodland walks near Manchester, especially between late March and early May when the bluebells flower.
This walk starts at the Hollingworth Lake Country Park Visitor Centre in Littleborough.
The walk begins by hugging the water’s edge past Peanock Farm, then past the Tunshill Golf Club. After the golf club, you will cross over the M62 at Tunshill Farm Bridge.
Heading along Tunshill Lane you will start to walk through a woodland section across Turf Hill and finally to Bluebell Woods.
Depending on the time of year and when the bluebells are blooming you will be treated to a spectacular violet-blue lined forest floor.
This is one of the woodland walks near Manchester that offers tremendous views of the South Pennines and Hollingworth Lake.
At the visitor centre, there are toilet facilities as well as a café.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Driving to Littleborough is the quickest and easiest option. You can use the postcode OL15 0AQ to find parking at the Hollingworth Lake Country Park Visitor Centre.
It should be noted that the car park is pay and display.
Blackley Forest Nature Reserve
Blackley Forest is a beautiful nature reserve where you can escape the bustle of Manchester.
A lot of Blackley Forest was actually planted by the local community in the 1950s.
This nature reserve is brimming with flora and fauna and the charming River Irk, flowing along both sides of the forest, adding a peaceful element.
To walk around Blackley Forest Nature Reserve doesn’t require a specific route. It’s just best to explore at your own pace.
There are several different trails at the park including easy, intermediate, and difficult pathways. You should check Top Billy Fishing Pond as well as Lower Billy Fishing Pond.
There’s also a beautiful beech wood area.
Dotted around the nature reserve are picnic benches and tables where you can eat lunch.
You should also keep your eyes peeled for the abundance of wildlife that can be seen at the reserve.
Animals that can be seen include hares, weasels, bats (three different species), rabbits and more. There are a ton of bird species to spot including wagtails, chaffinch, and woodpeckers.
HOW TO GET THERE:
You can follow Google Maps directions to Blackley Forest using the postcode M9 0PL. Blackley Forest is super close to Manchester, just 20 minutes drive via the A576.
Worsley Woods
- Time / Distance: 1 hr / 3.2km
If you are looking for autumn walks near Manchester, head to the beautiful Worsley Woods. Worsley Woods are around 16 km outside of Manchester.
This walk starts on Greenleach Lane at the northern end of the woods then heads past Kempnough Brook and the Old Warke Dam and back to the starting point.
Worsley Woods offers a public footpath trail that goes past streams, a dam, sculptures, wildflowers and of course through woodland.
If you are looking to extend your walk you can take the Bridgewater Canal towpath at the southern and western part of Worsley Woods.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Worsley is just 30 minutes drive northwest of Manchester via the M602. Once you arrive in Worsley You can use the car park off Greenleach Lane.
Reddish Vale Country Park
- Time / Distance: 1hr 25min / 5.8km
Both locals and visitors enjoy the scenery and nature at Reddish Vale Country Park.
This is a popular perimeter loop walk but if you visit during quieter times, you will be able to experience some solitude.
This 5.8 km walk starts at the Reddish Vale Country Park Visitor Centre.
Walkers will then proceed north past two bodies of water, one on each side of the path.
You will pass by the Reddish Viaduct, which is well worth a stop for photographs and then onto Ross Lave Lane.
This route does then pass over the M60 and along the A6017 but don’t be deterred; the views you get in between are well worth it.
If you are walking with bored children, then they (and you) will be pleased to know there is a playground on the way around.
HOW TO GET THERE:
From Manchester’s city centre it’s just over 30 minutes to Reddish Vale Country Park. You can follow Hyde Road/A57 and the B6167.
Dunham Massey Ancient Tree Trail
- Time / Distance: 1hr 30 min/2 hrs / 4km
This is one of the best forest walks near Manchester to feel enchanted by nature.
Dunham Massey is home to one of the finest collections of veteran trees in the whole of England.
What’s more, Dunham Massey Park is also home to more than 150 fallow deer.
The walk starts at the local Clock Tower (grid reference SJ735874) and loops back around where it started.
You will walk down a grassy path towards a service road and then turn left at the road. Here you will begin to notice the veteran trees.
These trees are highly important to biodiversity as they attract rare animal, insect, and fungi species.
For example, the trees in Dunham have attracted the rare cobweb beetle and the noctule (a beetle-eating bat).
Next, you’ll head past a 16th century watermill and in a matter of no time you’ll reach a 250-year-old oak tree. You will follow the path along Charcoal Drive and past pollarded lime trees.
This walk provides the perfect combination of culture and nature that is centuries old.
HOW TO GET THERE:
You can use the postcode WA14 4SJ to reach Altrincham and the start of this walk. Altrincham is 45 minutes drive from Manchester via the A56.
Now that you know everything about the best forest walks Manchester has to offer, it’s time to go out and explore! Have fun!
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