Leaving the Altrincham transport hub, a couple of residential streets brought me to a pleasant walk alongside Timperley Brook, and then across the golf course (complete with the usual victim-blaming signs). Most of this suburban route followed residential streets and alleyways, plus one short but sweet bit of former railway line....

Mary Oz

This is a (hopefully) temporary review to flag the fact that on 1st January 2025 there was a serious breach of the canal, on the towpath side, flooding the surrounding countryside....

Mary Oz

We walked this from Altrincham (after a very nice lunch in The Market House) to Lymm. Mostly follows the Trans Pennine Trail, so it’s straight and therefore straightforward to navigate, if a little monotonous. There were quite a few cyclists out and a couple of horse riders, so keep an ear open for bells and shouts along here....

Gismay

We started from the Hale end and upon arriving in Altrincham stopped for a tasty lunch in the “Market House” which has a variety of small independent food outlets to choose from....

Gismay

The bulk of the route is along the Trans-Pennine Trail which for this stretch is a shared-use path which makes use of a former railway line. This route is probably better suited to cyclists than walkers as the very long, straight section makes it a little monotonous for walking....

RGW

I certainly wouldn’t describe the route as unsafe, as another reviewer has! There is another access point directly north of the Lymm meeting point, but there is no access at OS Grid Ref: SJ 68568 87833, because the former railway line is on an overbridge here....

Mary Oz

Not much to said about this route - very short stroll through suburban streets between two of the smarter bits of south Manchester....

RGW

This extremely short route passed pleasant suburban housing and a multitude of shops and restaurants, as it went between railway stations. I did wonder beforehand whether to reroute it to a negligibly shorter route closer to the railway, but I think it was quite nice to pass the various shops and restaurants, and older grand buildings....

Mary Oz

Walk this route regularly, this is a flat canal-side path that is paved/stoned the entire way....

Neil Parton

At the Altrincham end there was a towpath diversion at the time, so I was forced to take the suggested re-route along Viaduct Road, and it was fine....

Mary Oz

At the Altrincham end there was a towpath diversion at the time, so I was forced to take the suggested re-route along Viaduct Road, and it was fine....

Mary Oz

Nice accessible very nice and flat a good day out for all I would definitely go again with my family...

anthony daniel

Loved this route! The strip along the canal was great and very accessible. There are cafes at the start and finish and even a boat cafe halfway down! I would definitely recommend to others, singles, couples, kids and even dogs....

Scott

Step free access to canal path via viaduct road as metnioned before if you prefer to avoid steps. With this adjustment ideal for buggy or bike. Significant amount of walk along pavements at Altrincham end of walk...

LisaKauffmann

Easy to avoid the only flight of steps from the canal to the A56 by exiting the canal at Viaduct Road if approaching from Sale (look out for Kickback Coffee). Smooth surfaces the whole way, very direct and easily negotiable by buggy - hard to imagine a better route....

DaveHilton

Thus route involves walking along busy roads to reach the Bridgewater canal. The route is then direct along the canal towpath to Lymm. I would not walk this route to join the canal towards Lymm....

Jenny Allen

This route is good for cycling, however there are better ways to travel to Lymm than following this route. It involves walking on fairly busy roads to get to the start of the TPT in Altrincham and exits the TPT too early in Lymm. The TPT is not (as a previous reviewer stated) primarily for cycling- its for mixed use - walkers/cyclists/families with pushchairs etc....

Jenny Allen

The Transpennine Trail is a long distance cycle route developed by Sustrans, and is primarily intended for cyclists (disregard the previous comment above), however walkers are also encouraged to use it, providing they are conscientious of and respectful to cyclists. The path can get very muddy in places, especially in winter and it is crossed by several (non-major) roads. All in all its a pretty safe, direct and easy route to use....

steeve80

A simple route, but there is a flight of steps from the retail park down to the canal side. A better route would be along Viaduct Road, around 40 metres north of the turn to get on to the canal. The connection from the A56 through the retail park to the canal path is a little bit tricky and narrow....

mattrichardson

Unfortunately, the canal doesn't go into Altrincham and there are a couple of options for walking the final section after Timperley. These sections are not off road. It is a busy, well used route, which is shared with cyclists....

janeyfl1