GM Ringway launches new website with 80% of route now waymarked

GM Ringway, Greater Manchester’s walking trail, has launched a new website that makes it easier than ever to explore the area’s green spaces and heritage.

The brand-new website has all the information needed to use the trail including interactive maps, details of the terrain on each stage, and facilities such as cafes, pubs, and toilets. 

Designed around existing footpaths, parks and open-access land, the 200-mile walking trail (322km), which starts and ends in Manchester city centre, is divided into 20 stages covering all ten boroughs. 

With all 20 stages designed to be accessible by public transport, the website gives train, tram, and bus information, including ticketing options, as well as parking advice for drivers.  

The GM Ringway team commissioned Salford-based Carbon Creative to create the website thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.  

Walkers can also access the website through handy QR code on hundreds of wayfinding ‘roundels’ nailed to stiles and posts along the 20 stages of the trail. 

Volunteers have added waymarkers to 15 stages, stretching all the way from Stockport (Stage 6) through Tameside, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury, Bolton, Wigan and Salford to Trafford (Stage 19). 

It means over 160 miles of the 200-mile trail has small white wayfinding discs to point walkers in the direction of travel with the trail expected to be fully waymarked by the end of June. 

Additionally, free app Go Jauntly can guide users along the trail through pictures and route maps, including ten shorter GM Ringway jaunts and several step-free routes. 

GM Ringway is led by two charities, CPRE and The Ramblers, and is supported by a £250,000 Heritage Fund grant, a £2,000 grant from Ramble Worldwide Outdoor Trust and £10,000 from TfGM’s Cycle & Stride for Active Lives initiative. 

Andrew Read, GM Ringway’s project lead said: 

“This is a really a dynamic and innovative website. We’ve undertaken careful research and listened to trail users’ requirements to create what we think is one of the best walking websites in the UK.

“By learning from other trails, we’ve aimed to make our website as user-friendly and informative as possible. We believe our site is unique in providing all the information people need to follow the 20 trail stages or our shorter or step-free walks.

“The trail is just a brilliant way to help many more people to explore and enjoy our wonderful green spaces right here in Greater Manchester.”

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For further press information contact Roz Hughes on 07967 800395 or email roz@rozhughes.com.