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Family-Friendly Hikes near Manchester

There are 47 hikes near Manchester in our database that fit. They average 2.8 km and 61 m (200 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 6.2 km.

That is 27 percent of the 174 routes we map near Manchester. They are shorter than the local average, 2.8 km against 25.5 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 61 m (200 ft) against 562 m (1,844 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Family routes here are short, gently graded and interesting enough to keep younger legs moving. Every one is under seven kilometres with limited climbing. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area.

Trails

Easy

Peak Pilgrimage

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
37 m
Typical duration
25 min
  • Mountain
  • Pilgrimage route
Easy

Peak Forest Tramway Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
3.5 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
77 m
Typical duration
51 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Easy

Lime Avenue Ponds Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
3.1 km
/ 1.9 mi
Elevation gain
68 m
Typical duration
45 min
  • Lake
  • Forest
Easy

Paddock Cottage Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
2.8 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
62 m
Typical duration
41 min
  • Forest
  • Alpine meadow
Easy

A walk to The Cage, Lyme

England · United Kingdom

Distance
2.2 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
48 m
Typical duration
31 min
  • Mountain
Easy

Buxton Heritage Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
3.5 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
77 m
Typical duration
51 min
  • Mountain
Easy

Derwent Dam Black Route

England · United Kingdom

Distance
3.9 km
/ 2.4 mi
Elevation gain
86 m
Typical duration
56 min
  • Mountain
Easy

Derwent Dam Green Route

England · United Kingdom

Distance
6.2 km
/ 3.9 mi
Elevation gain
137 m
Typical duration
1 hr 30 min
  • Mountain
Easy

Derwent Dam Red Route

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
35 m
Typical duration
23 min
  • Mountain
Easy

Chevin Geology Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
4.7 km
/ 2.9 mi
Elevation gain
103 m
Typical duration
1 hr 8 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

St Andrew's Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.0 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
22 m
Typical duration
14 min
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Riverside Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
5.3 km
/ 3.3 mi
Elevation gain
117 m
Typical duration
1 hr 17 min
  • River
Easy

Booth's Wood Loop

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
37 m
Typical duration
24 min
  • Forest
Easy

Heritage Time Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
3.1 km
/ 1.9 mi
Elevation gain
68 m
Typical duration
45 min
  • Forest
Easy

Valley Woodland Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
41 m
Typical duration
27 min
  • Forest
Easy

Young Woodland Loop

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.0 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
23 m
Typical duration
15 min
  • Forest
Easy

Circular Park Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
2.1 km
/ 1.3 mi
Elevation gain
46 m
Typical duration
30 min
Easy

Kirklake Trail, Formby

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
24 m
Typical duration
16 min
Easy

Legions and Sand

England · United Kingdom

Distance
5.0 km
/ 3.1 mi
Elevation gain
110 m
Typical duration
1 hr 12 min
Easy

Parkgate Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
5.3 km
/ 3.3 mi
Elevation gain
116 m
Typical duration
1 hr 16 min
Easy

Squirrel Walk, Formby

England · United Kingdom

Distance
0.4 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
9 m
Typical duration
6 min
Easy

Tame Valley Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
3.3 km
/ 2.1 mi
Elevation gain
73 m
Typical duration
48 min
Easy

Wizard Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
1.6 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
35 m
Typical duration
23 min

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Padley Gorge and Burbage Brook Walk, Longshaw EstateEngland3.4 km74 m49 minEasyApril to October
Peak PilgrimageEngland1.7 km37 m25 minEasyApril to October
E2 connector hiking trailEngland1.4 km31 m21 minEasyApril to October
Gritstone Trail (River Dane - Rushton Spencer)England2.2 km48 m32 minEasyApril to October
Crags Constitutional Walk, Hardcastle CragsEngland2.7 km60 m39 minEasyApril to October
Hinkley Wood Route, Ilam ParkEngland0.7 km16 m10 minEasyApril to October
Longshaw Woodland Explorer Walk, Longshaw EstateEngland4.7 km104 m1 hr 8 minEasyApril to October
Peak Forest Canal towpath - part Marple to DisleyEngland3.2 km70 m46 minEasyApril to October
Peak Forest Tramway TrailEngland3.5 km77 m51 minEasyApril to October
Lime Avenue Ponds WalkEngland3.1 km68 m45 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Padley Gorge and Burbage Brook Walk, Longshaw Estate, Peak Pilgrimage, E2 connector hiking trail. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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