Route description
The walk begins by travelling from Salford Crescent railway station down though the grounds of Salford University. Observe the intriguing climbing-wall sculpture Engels' Beard, named after Friedrich Engels, the political philosopher whose radical ideas were inspired by his time in Salford. After passing the Clifford Whitworth Library turn right and head down towards some steep steps which will take you into Peel Park, claimed to be the world's first public park, having no entrance fees or dress codes unlike some others at the time. Continue forward though the park, following in the footsteps of renowned Salford artist LS Lowry who depicted the Peel Park in many of his quirky but wonderful paintings. When you reach the other side of the park, use the footbridge to cross the Irwell and continue on to end of the road, turn left and then right to get to another bridge. Alternatively if you have time to make this a slower Slow Way, you can reach the second bridge by turning immediately right after the crossing, then meander around the Meadow, following the crescent shape of the river which gives this area its name. Having crossed the Irwell for a second time it's time to follow the river for a while. Turn left at the end of the bridge and go along the river path until you reach Blackfriars road, cross this road then continue along the path. After several minutes you will reach a sub-way under the Manchester inner ring road. Hold your breath until you reach the other side and then head right until you reach a street (Greengate). Turning left, go along Greengate, under the railway arches and then cross Chapel St to reach a footpath going once again over the river Irwell. Cross the bridge saying goodbye to Salford and hello to Manchester. Once across the bridge you will see Manchester Cathedral, if you have time, pop in to see the magnificent £2.6m Stoller organ, otherwise continue along the Cathedral Yard turning right onto Cathedral Gate. Here you can take to opportunity to sample a drink at one of the historic pubs of Shambles Square situated here. Next carry on up the steps and along the pedestrian street New Cathedral St, past the Royal Exchange with its theatre and into St Ann's Square. If you now go around St Ann's church you get one of the many ginnels that can take you through Manchester avoiding much of the crowds and traffic. After passing through the first ginnel, St Ann's Passage, you will see a second directly across King St East. This takes you to South King Street. Turn left here then next right on to St James's Square. On reaching the end, cross John Dalton St and continue down another couple of ginnels. Congratulations you have now found Manchester's 'Hidden Gem' or to give it its proper name St Mary's Catholic Church. Keep going forward along Mulberry St and turn left onto Brazennose St, this takes you to centre of Manchester, Albert Square. Finally, walk diagonally to the right across the square, admiring the marvellous neo-gothic Manchester town hall. Continue across Lloyd St and past the Town Hall Extension (also listed) and head left down Library Walk between it and the Central Library. At the end of this path you will reach St Peter's Square and the journey between Salford and Manchester will be complete.
About the surveyor
Coming soon.
Survey Contents
- Grading
- Photos
- Facilities
- Challenges
- Obstacles
- Accessibility
- Measurements
- Successfully completed
- Expert recommendations
- Terrain
Grading
Path surface grading
Accessibility grading
Photos
Photos from surveys are coming soon.
Facilities
- Public toilet
- Wheelchair accessible toilet
- Supermarket
- Restaurant
- Vegan restaurant
- Accommodation
- Accommodation < £50
- Campsite
- Bothy
- Free wifi
- Public phone
- Mobile Phone Coverage
- Train station
- Bench
- Picnic table
- Bus stop
- Ferry
Challenges
- Scrambling
- Wading
- Swimming
- Climbing
- Stepping stones
- Very slippery
- Very muddy
- Very icy
- Likely to flood
- Long grass sections
- Crops encroaching on path
- Diverted path
Obstacles
- Stiles
- Step and kerbs
- Possible to avoid steps, if applicable
- Flights of steps
- Gates
- Kissing gates
- Locked gates
- Disables access gates
- Cycle barriers
- Ladders
- Cattle grids
- Fords
- Narrow bridges
- Ferry required
- Acceptable road walking
- Unacceptable road walking
- Dangerous road crossings
- Walking on paths beside roads
- Walking on verges beside roads
- Railway crossings
- River crossings
- Cattle possible
- Horses possible
- Tidal area
- Potential falls
- Exposed to elements
- Remote area
- Mountainous area
- Military training area
- No visible path
- Seasonal nesting birds
- Other hazards
Accessibility
- Free of stiles
- Free of single steps/kerbs
- Free of flights of steps
- Free of other obstacles
Measurements
The narrowest part of the path is 80.00cm
The steepest uphill gradient East: no data
The steepest uphill gradient West: no data
The steepest camber: no data
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Very clear
Successfully completed
- Small Pug-sized dog
- Small Labrador-sized dog
- Large St. Bernard-sized dog
- Standard pram
- Off-road rugged pram
- Standard wheelchair
- Off-road rugged wheelchair
- Standard mobility scooter
- Off-road rugged mobility scooter
Expert recommendations
- Small Pug-sized dog
- Small Labrador-sized dog
- Large St. Bernard-sized dog
- Standard pram
- Off-road rugged pram
- Standard wheelchair
- Off-road rugged wheelchair
- Standard mobility scooter
- Off-road rugged mobility scooter
Terrain
40.00% of the route is on roads
95.00% of the route is paved
80.00% of the route is lit at night
5.00% of the route is muddy
There is no data on rough ground
There is no data on long grass
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