Although less direct than the other versions of this Slow Way, this has the benefit of being almost entirely off-road by maximising use of the canal tow path. It also has added interest as it includes the historic Wigan Pier area. This route forms part of the 'Rail Trail' between Wigan and Bolton....

RGW

The section between Ince and the canal is only included because there is no option for a direct Slow Way between Wigan and Hindley....

RGW

At OS Grid Ref: SD 59710 04279, passing a linear lake, the path became poorer quality and quite muddy. Surprisingly, this linear lake is a former railway line, and is part of a triple-decker railway crossing, presumably the lowest part....

Mary Oz

This route uses some of the many former railway lines from the Wigan coalfields, and walking this now wooded area, with reed-filled ponds, was delightful. After the straight section of former railway, there was a pelican crossing, then a side road under the former railway....

Mary Oz

The route is a good journey from Wigan to Ince along the canal....

Andrew Dowd

After negotiating the residential roads, the route becomes an earthern footpath between two fences. Under what remains of the railway viaduct, we meet the end: a handful of bus stops with nearby shops....

Hiking Historian

After negotiating the residential roads, the route becomes an earthern footpath through woods, following the triangular shape of the railway and a former junction. Past s small industrial estate, we enter the woods of Ince Moss, which is muddy in places, but with the odd boardwalk....

Hiking Historian

There was a section of paved canal towpath, past a couple of locks, then out onto the road as per WigInc One....

Mary Oz

There was a reasonably wide pedestrian footbridge over the canal with a kissing-gate/cycle-barrier combo at the end of it: maybe okay for smaller wheelchairs but mobility scooters would struggle, I think....

Mary Oz

A short route linking Wigan and Ince....

Dannywith

Access to wheelchairs is restricted due to access barriers and thin passageways (see attached images), however many alternative paths in the area have been upgraded to unofficial bridalways, with easy wheelchair access and cycling actively encouraged....

Dannywith

A short and straightforward route between the centre of Wigan and the suburb of Ince. The kissing gate is wide and good for all users, and the towpath beyond is paved....

Hiking Historian

Beyond that, the given route through the woods of Ince Moss to do not follow what is on the ground, nor do the 'footpaths' across the moss itself do not exist, an error also not corrected on OS maps. I have submitted two route: one that follows the original as close as possible, and an alternative that follows an old railway....

Hiking Historian

It travels through an urban area for the most part and improved when it followed the canal....

Stearsb

This is a walk of 2 halves, a rather depressing walk through residential area, or countryside bordering residential areas (containing disappointing levels of detritus), and pleasing open aspects and woodland walks (from Top lock). Apart from a few narrow gaps and low steps there weren’t any obstructions and the path was good and reasonably dry (even after a wet spell). On parts of the first section I felt a little closed in by the surrounding vegetation....

Stearsb