Next step for Rochdale sections of GM Ringway walking trail

Two Rochdale sections of the GM Ringway, Greater Manchester’s walking trail, that take walkers through the borough have now been signposted.

The two trails have been waymarked with small white discs – also known as ‘roundels’ – that point walkers in the direction of travel. They also include a QR code that guides users to the GM Ringway website. The GM Ringway is believed to be the first national trail to use QR codes.

The trails, which are considered to be a 'challenging' difficulty level, include Stage 11, Littleborough to Norden, which is a 11.4-mile (20 km) route includes moorland walking interspersed with canals, reservoirs and waterfalls. It includes part of the Rochdale Canal, woodland paths by Watergrove Reservoir and a full circuit of Healey Dell before concluding at Greenbooth Reservoir with views of the Naden Valley.

Then volunteers also tackled Stage 12, Norden to Bury, the longest Rochdale stage at 13 miles (21.1km). It takes in peaceful valleys and pretty villages and counts views of the Naden Valley reservoirs, Knowl Hill, Cheesden Valley, Chesham Woods and Burrs County Park amongst its highlights before reaching Bury town centre with its transport interchange.

In total the team of volunteers have nailed nearly 300 roundels to posts, pillars, gates and stiles with 900 nails on these two sections of the route alone. To date almost half of the 200-mile trail has now been waymarked.

Andrew Read, GM Ringway’s project lead said: “It’s great to see so much of the trail is now signposted. It will make Greater Manchester’s walking route a lot easier to follow. We’re working hard to make sure anyone who wants to get out in nature and explore Greater Manchester’s great outdoors can do so without getting lost, by adding helpful waymarks with a handy QR code along the route.”

 

 

Designed around existing footpaths, parks and open-access land, the walking trail is divided into 20 stages starting and ending in Manchester city centre. Seven of the stages were signposted in January, and the remainder will be completed by the end of June.

Green in every way, the entire 200-mile (323-km) GM Ringway is designed to allow every stage to be accessed by public transport. Covering all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester, the trail explores an astonishing variety of landscapes, including parks, waterways and beautiful countryside. In addition to its natural beauty, the GM Ringway also allows residents and visitors to explore Greater Manchester’s rich cultural heritage.

In addition, Go Jauntly – a free walking and wellness app – guides users along on the 20 stages of the trail, using pictures and route maps. The app also includes ten shorter GM Ringway jaunts, including several step-free routes, enabling everyone to sample the trail.

Download the free-of-charge Go Jauntly app and own a pocket-sized encyclopaedia of urban walks here: https://www.gojauntly.com/download-1

The GM Ringway project is led by two charities – CPRE, the countryside charity and The Ramblers (Greater Manchester & High Peak Area) – and is supported by a £250,000 Heritage Fund grant. In addition, the project has received a £2,000 grant from Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust and £10,000 from TfGM’s Cycle & Stride for Active Lives initiative.