Lovers’ Alley Trail

Overview

The Lovers’ Alley Trail is a leisurely two-mile walk on mainly level surfaced paths that explores a section of the Tame Valley and the Peak Forest Canal. It takes in an area where the canal strongly influenced the past, and an area of open space and farmland along the River Tame. This walk leads you past old warehouses and mills, through woodland and farmland, all within easy reach of Hyde town centre.

The Lovers’ Alley mentioned in the walk’s title is not as romantic as you might think. This cobbled path was used by pack-horses laden with huge baskets of coal, from the coal pits in Dunkirk Wood, slowly walking up to the canal where narrow boats waited to be loaded.

Accessibility and facilities

As the walk includes cobbles, steps and stiles, it is not rated as suitable for wheelchair or pushchair-users.

According to Tameside Council, there are public toilets available (not at weekends) in Hyde Town Hall. There are also pubs, cafes and other services in Hyde town centre.

How to get there

The walk starts across from the Cheshire Ring Hotel, on Manchester Road, Hyde next to Aldi at the canal bridge. This is well-served by buses and is also only a short distance from Hyde Central train station.

To work out how to get to and from the walk start point, simply click the Google Maps link on this page. Then click ‘Directions’ and enter your postcode or location in the relevant field. For public transport options, click on the train icon.

Alternatively, input the postcode(s) shown on this page into the TfGM journey planner at https://my.tfgm.com/#/planner/