Mid Cheshire Rail Walks – Altrincham Circular

Overview

The Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership and the Mid Cheshire Rail Users’ Association (MCRUA) have created a booklet of walks from stations along the Greater Manchester part of the Mid Cheshire Line.

The walks in the booklet – which can be downloaded from the Mid Cheshire Rail website – consist of a series of fairly short walks, over generally easy terrain. What’s more, they are either circular walks from stations or between stations so that walkers can return to their starting point by tram or train.

This varied circular walk visits Altrincham’s vibrant town centre, woodland and open country around Dunham, and an attractive stretch of the Bridgewater Canal. It is described on pages 10-13 of the downloadable booklet.

Each of the Mid Cheshire rail walks can also be linked together to create longer routes. This walk can be linked with the section from Ashley to Hale via the link route between Hale and Altrincham stations. It can also be continued towards Timperley and Sale if you remain on the canal after it passes underneath Manchester Road. The instructions for the next section can be found in the walk from Altrincham to Sale.

Accessibility and facilities

The canal sections of these walks these often feature steps and uneven, narrow towpaths. Furthermore, any rural sections include mixed terrain and stiles. These walks are therefore not rated as accessible for wheelchair users or families with pushchairs.

Toilet facilities are available in Altrincham town centre. The route also gives access to local cafes, restaurants and pubs.

How to get there

The walk starts and finishes at Altrincham Interchange, making it ideal for access by public transport.

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 the train icon.

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