Very nice walk, however, I did it on a really heavy rainy day and in areas access was difficult or restricted for wheelchairs or prams due to broken gates or heavy muddy patches. Leaving Didsbury station theres a walk uo Wilmslow road turning onto the river mersey across the large and busy Withington golf club, continue along teh river Mersey past Fletchers Moss FC, across princess, parkway onto Chorlton Water Park, lovely spot. Keep going to Trafford Watersports Park, tricky access then to cross the M60 via teh footbridge. Along Dane road then onto Sale Station. 3 stars because of access problems in spots....

Andrew B

Excellent transport links at either end thanks to Levenshulme train station, Didsbury tram stop and numerous bus routes....

DaveHilton

Start in Levy with good train station and very regular bus service (and find watering holes such as Station Hop) passing over the an old railway line which is now a popular cycle path ('The followfield loop') passing Burnage Station ('Reasons to be Cheerful' is a great watering hole close to Fog Lane Park) and ending in Didsbury (plenty of refreshment points) which has a station and good tram and bus service. Certainly recommend both Didsbury and Levy as interesting places to visit? - Yes, as Levy has some interesting social points?...

Martin B

A lovely route to walk especially after leaving stockport along the river Mersey. Onto the Tranpennine route 62 good access, wheelchairs and prams would be fine, some steps but large enough and not too steep to get access. You now enter Mersey Vale Nature Park. Nice quiet easy walk lots of joggers and dog walkers. Mostly firm ground, gravel and tarmac, through Didsbury along Parrs Wood Lane crossing the road past Tesco onto an off road path. Plenty of green space and places to rest. I would definitely do this walk again for recreation....

Andrew B

The footpath off Longley Lane close to the Siltint building was impassable and we had to retrace our steps through the nearby housing estate to pick up the end of the footpath....

Teresa Regan

It was pleasant to discover this route and walk it again. The signposting is excellent: the route follows part of the Sustrans Route 62 and the Trans-Pennine Trail, so the signposting for these trails can be used....

Ian V

You can navigate the whole route with a pram, and it is a great cycle route....

Eleanor

To avoid having to walk on the pavement on Barlow Moor Road at the end, I would recommend continuing following the Mersey around Northenden Golf Course, then using the footpath through Withington Golf Course to join the Mersey again, and walk through Fletcher Moss then through Didsbury Park....

Virginie Assal (she/they)

Alternatives I might use: On School Lane, for a more accessible pathway, don’t turn right onto Parrs Wood Road - continue straight across and continue with School Lane until you get to the A34, then turn right along wider paths and the Parrs Wood crossroads to cross over to the complex. Less accessible and away from cars for a bit: From the start at Didsbury Village tram stop, it is possible to walk down William St, then Olive Shapley Ave to its end, cross over the tram tracks, and follow the footpath that runs alongside the tracks, and once you reach the East Didsbury station, exit at the crossroads by the Parrs Wood complex and continue with the walk from there....

Sam Spencer

A pleasant largely off-road route following the path of the River Mersey following a shared use path along (signposted) national cycle route (NCN) 62/Trans Pennine Trail. Cross the A560 at the pedestrian crossing & head right to cross the River Mersey on the King Street West Bridge & still on NCN62; take a left up Chestergate, right up Viaduct Street, left up Daw Bank, right up Exchange Street past the Garrick Theatre to turn right at the traffic lights opposite Stockport Central Library; along Wellington Street South (A6) & then right at the next lights along Station Road to reach the train station....

Martin B

Large parts of this follow the Transpennine Trail - the route is about half paved, half wide well-maintained dirt track (but would be bumpy if you were e.g. pushing a pram)....

Lauren G

Overall this walk is very pleasant, along the River Mersey and Sale Water Park....

Bryony

The path's a little rougher for the section from the water park to Darley Avenue, with short stony, sandy or rutted sections up to 100m in length....

Bryony

A great route mainly following an old railway line and the river Mersey between Didsbury and Stockport. Option to take in more of the river if you head south at green pastures. Mostly firm ground, gravel and tarmac, all well drained but often some puddles when wet on the first section next to the tram line....

Guesty

Only doesn't get five stars as this wouldn't be a good route for those who need a smooth path, and no amenities outside of the pub....

DaveHilton

I liked Fogg Lane Park, and the broad, tree lined Errwood Road....

Ian V

Very wheelchair/scooter friendly with dropped kerbs for all crossings possible. Princess Parkway very busy road, but wide, smooth pavements....

DaveHilton

Steps lead up to the road: turn right here (King Street West) and then left at the first traffic lights. The long flight of steps up to Station Road was also closed off (March 2022) so it was necessary to continue up Exchange Street, turn right onto the main road, Wellington Road South (the A6), and then right onto Station Road, which leads to Stockport Railway Station on the right....

Ian V

An interesting route that includes some high quality sections of woodland, wetland, rivers and interesting gardens. It is through built up areas so expect some pavement and section through housing...

DaveFernley

Easy walking, flat, firm and level underfoot Nearly all off-road, lots of birds Good bus service Stockport bus station back to Didsbury...

David