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GM Ringway

Ever wanted to walk round the whole of Greater Manchester? I admit it may be a bit of a niche proposal. But then so is walking round the whole of London, and people do that.

At 186 miles long, the GM Ringway does just that (and indeed is longer than the London Loop despite Greater London being a tad bigger.) It all starts and ends in Manchester City Centre for no particularly obvious reason given it's a circular walking route.

GM Ringway: Introduction

Published 16 May 2021

Welcome to Greater Manchester’s quite new but very own orbital walking trail.

GM Ringway Stage 1: Manchester to Sale Water Park

Published 23 May 2021

An orbital walking trail it may be, but the GM Ringway starts in the heart of Manchester City Centre.

GM Ringway Stage 2: Sale Water Park to East Didsbury

Published 30 May 2021

Setting off from Sale Water Park station, the GM Ringway now gets into its orbital route properly.

GM Ringway Stage 3: East Didsbury to Bramhall

Published 27 June 2021

The GM Ringway joins Micker Brook – a waterway that would the focus of many miles of walking.

GM Ringway Stage 4: Bramhall to Middlewood

Published 4 July 2021

From Bramhall, the GM Ringway continues its journey along the Lady Brook, along the Greater Manchester boundary to Middlewood.

GM Ringway Stage 5: Middlewood to Strines

Published 11 July 2021

An old chimney, a lovely clock, an unexplained Dovecot and a National Trust park as seen on TV

GM Ringway Stage 6: Strines to Marple

Published 22 May 2022

One of the least direct sections of the GM Ringway provides a giant cross, a stunning view at a bus terminus, archaeology, the recording of a podcast, and somewhere the Romans never went.

GM Ringway Stage 7: Marple to Broadbottom

Published 29 May 2022

Industrial history, yet another corker of a viewpoint, and a secret nuclear bunker.

GM Ringway Stage 8: Broadbottom to Greenfield

Published 26 June 2022

Out of quaint villages, and up onto the moorland, as the GM Ringway carries on its journey round Greater Manchester.

GM Ringway Stage 9: Greenfield to Newhey

Published 17 July 2022

It’s off to a section of Pennine moorland, and lots of lots and lots of snow.

GM Ringway Stage 9 Revisited: A Denshaw Circular

Published 4 December 2022

Revisiting part of stage 9 to make up what I had missed after getting lost the last time.

GM Ringway Stage 10: Newhey to Littleborough

Published 2 July 2023

From one village to another, via reservoirs, a motorway, and a big lake.

GM Ringway Stage 11: Littleborough to Norden

Published 24 September 2023

Moorland, reservoirs, a viaduct and an enchanted dell. Just another day on the GM Ringway.

GM Ringway Stage 12: Norden to Bury

Published 8 October 2023

Wind turbines, ruined mills, and enchanting valleys, all feature in what must be one of the best sections of the trail.

GM Ringway - the trail highlights

Video: The Closest Bit of the Peak District National Park To My House

Published 10 October 2021

Whilst out on walking the GM Ringway, I took a slight detour about half a mile off the route. Why? Because if I did I could cross into the Peak District National Park at a point that is the closest bit of the National Park to my house.