If accessibility is important, skip the first section of canal (there are steps from Oxford Street to the canal) and instead head up Portland Street and down Sackville Street to get to the canal....

DaveHilton

The path where the route leaves Lees Street by Gorton station is very over-grown (see photos)....

RGW

I left Droylsden past the marina, then crossed the canal on a cobbled, fairly steep footbridge to reach the towpath, which I then followed for most of the rest of the route. Just before going under the busy A6010 Alan Turing Way dual carriageway, the towpath crossed the canal via a steep wiggled bridge and cobbled path. I left the canal onto Ducie Street and, as if by magic, I was right in the heart of Manchester, just a short walk to Piccadilly Station!...

Mary Oz

I can’t believe how badly this has been plotted. Did some sort of error happen somehow? Don’t even attempt to follow it!...

Mary Oz

Heading off from the University, across the lovely Peel Park before crossing the River Irwell twice then a really pleasant stretch following the river east before turning back south into the outskirts of Manchester towards the cathedral and past a statue of Ghandi. There are some great buildings to look at, even as you pass the big department stores through the town centre and the routes cuts through narrow passages between buildings before heading through the Civic Quarter, around the the beautiful library building on to the finish at the station in St Peters Square. A great route that I really enjoyed....

Gismay

You go from the quiet green of Peel Park, over the River Irwell on nice footbridges, along the river, then up into the lively exciting bustle of Manchester, and some of its best landmarks. Excellent route!...

Mary Oz

I crossed the River Medlock (half of which is underground in Manchester) just after Deansgate station, invisibly, past loads of new housing skyscrapers. I found it interesting walking past the tram depot and the cricket ground, but then the route ended with a long, boring walk along King’s Road to reach Stretford Station....

Mary Oz

I passed Salford University, the former Fire Station, the former hospital, Salford Cathedral (shrouded in scaffolding) and several other grand old buildings. I walked under the viaduct at Salford Central station, then crossed the River Irwell on a footbridge. A pedestrianised section and a quiet back street brought me to Peter Street, and I passed Great Northern Square, the former Free Trade Hall (on the site of the Peterloo Massacre), and the Midland Hotel, to arrive at St Peter’s Square....

Mary Oz

The main road from Salford Crescent station to Salford Central Station was fairly busy with noise and fumes from traffic, but at least it was well controlled with several crossings and it was spacious. I passed Salford University, the former Fire Station, the former hospital, Salford Cathedral (shrouded in scaffolding) and several other grand old buildings. There is slight inaccuracy in the plotting just south of Salford Crescent Station, and after crossing the river....

Mary Oz

Surface is paved along its length and reasonably good quality tarmac along the canal, with some short sections of set-stones under road bridges by locks. The canal section passes by derelict industrial sites now reclaimed by nature which are slowly being turned into housing. Astonishingly saw a kingfisher on this route....

DDB

I did enjoy the slow ways. The route was very direct and got me from A to B. The route was very uphill I found so was exhausting by the end! The path is accessible but is on a rather busy road the whole way, however there are traffic light crossing the whole way along. I would recommend this route and is a good alternative to driving....

Scott

I enjoyed this walk from Manchester City centre to failsworth, the route was easy to follow and perfect for the sunshine. if it was to be rainy I can imagine the terrain becoming muddy therefore less accessible. I would recommend this route and would personally walk again....

Scott

the beginning of this route was enjoyable, along the canal. However, the ending was very confusing. part of the road on the route was closed today so a detour had to be made as well as the route being of course for the last quarter of the walk. I think Manfal two is for sure better and would recommend that one instead. Failsworth tram stop does have a lift so it is fully accessible....

Scott

This route is an easy and quick way into town from Salford. The route is accessible to all and would be safe to do alone. I would recommend this route however I would opt for a more scenic path. There are shops and a nice little coffee shop on the way which is a bonus....

Scott

There are two sets of steps where this route briefly leaves the canal to utilise the pedestrian route to the Etihad campus....

RGW

First section of this route (through Manchester city centre and then the Medlock valley) is not well plotted and a better alternative is to simply use the Ashton canal tow path - see alternative route Mandro Two...

RGW

Loved this walk, it was easy to follow and nice along the water. A nicer route into town than the generic walk along the big roads. I would for sure recommend this route especially for a nice commute...

Scott

It includes a pleasant section following the River Irwell where a variety of wildlife can normally be seen (keep an eye out for herons and cormorants). It also features the delightful Peel Park in Salford....

RGW

The route is generally fine following the Rochdale Canal. However, the GPX plot is not very accurate and the route out of Manchester city centre could be more direct. This issues are corrected for in Manfai two....

RGW

There are short steep sections at the many locks along this section of canal including three flights of steps (including one where the route leaves the tow path at Failsworth). Sections of the canal can seem surprisingly isolated for such an urban location....

RGW

Given the location (some of the most deprived areas of north Manchester) it was surprisingly pleasant passing through a number of wooded areas and quiet residential streets....

RGW

It starts well by using the quiet Dantzic Street and Collyhurst Road along the Irk Valley. Unfortunately it then joins the busy A664 Rochdale Road and follows that for at least two thirds of the distance. An alternative route has been uploaded which makes use of a combination of residential streets and footpaths to give a surprisingly pleasant walk....

RGW

The route start and end points are very accessible by public transport and the route is incredibly direct and easy to follow....

DaveHilton

Past a school and onto another main road, the way over the next green space is via desire lines and then a rough path through trees. Past a barrier, we then access a path past houses and a tarmac path through St George's Park....

Hiking Historian

A long flight of steps brings us into Peel Park, and, once past its monuments, up more steps and onto the first bridge over the river Irwell (there are ramps nearby, but we'll later see this route is not wheel-friendly). A road crossing brings us to some steps (no ramps), and, once we hit Manchester, more steps up into an area full of new towers and lots of development....

Hiking Historian

Not much to add, an easy urban route well documented in previous reviews. I'm reserving 5 stars for special routes, though I'd give certainly give my day walking with everyone 5 stars :)...

Dan Barron

I walked this as part of the group so I don't need to duplicate what has been said. A Slow Way that achieves being direct and a wonderful tour with many points of interest along the way. Well done Mary and thanks for the commentary along the way....

Ken

(There were some bollards at Park Grove in Levenshulme which would restrict the width of the route.)....

Mary Oz

A direct, safe, interest rich and enjoyable walk....

David Sanderson

We go left then right onto Central Avenue, then take the path half right and left to reach Slade Lane, where we turn right, cross and turn half left along Hamilton Road, which we follow to Dickenson Road. We turn right onto Carmoor Road then right along the near edge of Swinton Grove Park, then left through the park to reach Swinton Grove and Elizabeth Gaskell's house, where we go right a short distance then left onto Plymouth Grove....

Hugh Hudson

I combined this route with the Eccles-Salford route to reach the centre of Manchester to catch a train. Look for the plaque in the centre of Peel Park, which tells us about the history of this "people's park", a place fought for by the working classes who raised money to give ordinary people fresh air and freedom in the early industrial revolution....

dancarter

Walking from Fallowfield, you soon get to Platt Fields Park, a pleasant park on the border of Fallowfield and Rusholme....

DaveHilton

The route map could be better (the route tries to take you through car parks including a closed one, and the route just implies you take the canal after Ancoats rather than accurately showing it)....

DaveHilton

Ashton Canal has a pleasant tow path for easy walking, till Droylsden, but the walk can be easily continued till Ashton-under-Lyne (15 km altogether). For the first part, between Piccadilly station and the Sportcentre, the Slow Ways map suggests to follow the River Medlock, but this route is hard to find, interrupted and unpleasant. I followed the Ashton Canal from NW of Piccadilly Station and that worked well and deserves more stars....

pmostert

Pleasant walk, following the tow path along Rochdale canal all the way to Failsworth, but preferably continue till Chadderton (Mills Hill station; 14 km altogether). I walked on a Sunday morning, passed innumerable locks and enjoyed the mixture of industrial history and modern life....

pmostert

The route through Manchester passes by historic and modern Manchester, taking in St Anne’s Square, Manchester town hall and Exchange Square....

DaveHilton

Minor quibbles including crossing Stretford Road (need to walk 100 yards to crossing) and alleyway near the Quadrant (steps and route saves no time, so better to just go round the Quadrant and straight onto King’s Road). Not the prettiest route in places but does the job well....

DaveHilton

This is my second review if this route, as in the sunshine and in the reverse direction one year later it took on a new dimension. Without the rain the main roads were less of a nuisance as there was no spray from the cars and buses. Also, thanks to the local knowledge of the group I walked with I realised it went past the site of the Haçienda night club....

Slow Ways Darren

Continual building works in Manchester City Centre often impede progress, but once you're in the city you can make your own route to your destination....

acorntea

It's even worse in the rain, although it's not muddy, there's a real risk of getting sprayed from puddles by speeding cars. It's a real challenge of how we can make our cities less hostile for humans....

Slow Ways Darren

Gathered in Manchester for a ‘Slow Ways staff summit’, the Three Manc-keteers of Dan, Darren and Rob were duty-bound to check out a local route. It’s Manchester. It’s safe, accurately mapped and has no access issues, but its lack of directness at the Manchester end compromises the methodology just a bit too much (point 4)....

RobBushby