Hard to think of a route from Fallowfield to Stretford that is more traffic-free yet also direct. Passing through part of the Fallowfield Loop, the route then soon reaches Beech Road, where you’ll find lots of choice for refreshments and quirky shops. Once through Chorlton Green, you reach Turn Moss playing fields....

DaveHilton

Walked from Stretford to Eccles. Leaving Stretford you come onto the Stretford Arndale/Mall and it is mostly road and then through Salford Quays, plenty of places to eat and rest. Through the lovely and hidden Victoria Park. Across the Bridge at Salford. Through Trafford Industrial Park. Past the War Museum. Onto Europa Way,then onto John Gilbert Way. Eventually ending up at the train station in Eccles. You could easily access this via wheelchair or Pram but the industrial estate is a bit boring with many heavy goods vehicles zooming within feet of you. For me it is a 3 mainly due to the lack of off road walking....

Andrew B

The lazy plotting of the towpath access at Sale irritates me, especially as it was so well plotted at Stretford....

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

This route was super easy to follow and a safer alternative than the main roads. It’s not too long and passes a few shops and cafes in the way. I would definitely do this route again....

Scott

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

Crossing Park Road into Stretford is not straight forward; no crossings, and no ramps (fencing also hampers progress in places)....

Hiking Historian

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)

Easy towpath route, mostly very even, shared with cycles. Close to tram stops at Sale and Stretford....

sallyD

Some access issues due to occasional lack of dropped kerbs, but overall the route is direct, safe and easy to follow. Slight detour takes you to the lovely Victoria Park if you follow School Road instead of Jackson Street....

DaveHilton

Walked this route from Stretford to Eccles and whilst it is flat, fairly direct and takes in Salford Quays with all of the attractions there, some inaccuracies on the route and the dull slog through industrial parks and big roads make this three stars in my view. Once you rejoin the route on John Gilbert Way, almost immediately there is another error as you cannot take a left where indicated on the route....

DaveHilton

An alternative would be to access the Fallowfield loop at St Werburgh’s Road and then exiting on Athol Road (or the other way around)....

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

Pedestrians, cyclists, kids, dogs and geese all share the space, and there's a pub about 1/3 of the way out of Sale, by Dane Road, if you need a break....

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

Dogs generally need to go on a lead because of all this, unless you're confident they're well behaved (mine has a habit of getting under the feet of joggers!)...

Adam Oliver

Nice route, generally along the canal towpath but with crossing of the busy Edge Lane at Stretford. Shallow ramps down to and up from the canal towpath at each end....

Philip Chandler

The canal path is a busy, well used route between Sale and Stretford, shared with cyclists. There is plenty of interest along the way....

janeyfl1

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

Short easy route, all apart from the first 300 m are along the Bridgewater Canal towpath. No steps, ramps to and from the canal. Pedestrian crossing across busy road near Stretford Tram Stop....

scutog

The whole route is in an urban area, shops or quiet residential, along pavements. Several busy roads to be crossed, not all at pedestrian crossing points....

scutog