Unfortunately I can't talk about the weekend because Manchester has been moved in to Tier 3. So instead I thought I would do a post about where I can still run in Manchester (sorry rest of the world), as while there are limited hills in Greater Manchester, we are blessed with a few wonderful places to run
Marple and the Goyt - with both the Peak Forest Canal and the Goyt way, you can do a lovely lower level route to Torrs and the Millenium walkway and link the two, or head up to the cross on Mellor Moor for a bit more elevation.
Millbrook and Wild Bank- Hills and reservoirs are likely to feature heavily on this list, and this is the first. This area sits adjacent to Stalybridge.
Rivington and Winter Hill - Not entirely in Greater Manchester but you could park in Horwich or Bolton and attack the hill from there. Alongside the ever popular Pike and the masts, there are also routes around Smithills and Burnt Edge, plus if you are more ambivilant about rules, towards Anglezarke.
Turton and Wayoh reservoir/ Warpers trail - further round the Pennines, I hadn't heard of the Warpers trail befor ebut this 9-10 mile route can be followed around some lovely reservoirs and Turton tower. It also incorporates some of the Witton Weavers Way which I have yet to explore.
Greenfield and Chew Reservoir - Saddleworth Moors have a complex history and not all of it is pleasant. But the moors here still offer an accessible and beautiful paths and trails across moor tops. Run from Greenfield or run from the car park. Go low around the reservoirs or high along the edges.
Holcombe Hill and Peel monument - One of the many large towers on hills around Manchester (trust me, there are a few), and also bounded by a tank range, this area offers some quite wet and wild running over the top.
Darwen and Jubilee Tower - Another tower on a hill, but you can go up inside this one. I have run here from Sunnyhurst woods. It afford excellent views over the surrounding moors, towns and reservoirs.
Manchester's many country parks - Daisy Nook, Reddish Vale, Jumbles, Pennington Flash and many other smaller ones make for lovely escapes from the city if only for a short distance.
Irwell Valley - Not one I have done yet, but you can follow the river from Bolton to the city centre through some green areas including the Irwell sculpture trail. The Irwell 20 miler follows this route and is also on my list.
Hollingworth Lake and Watergrove Reservoir - two beautiful areas, set on a background of the moors, and home of the infamous Watergrove Parkrun. The Lake can be busy with tourists, there are a number of routes from Littleborough you can take to escape.
Lyme park - High Lane marks the cut off of Greater Manchester but I doubt that will stop many people using the park for running and walking. If you want to park in the NT car park, you will need to book but you can run from Pott shrigley or Poynton easily. Alternatively, I build it in to a loop from Marple using the Middlewood Way and either Ladywell Valley Interest Trail or the canal to return.
If you need GPX files for routes in any of these areas, let me know and I can send some across. I guess I should remind you to obey the rules etc etc but I have had enough of such things. Other recommendations please coment below! Happy running, even if it is a bit restricted for now.
No comments:
Post a Comment