Walk with us

Peak & Northern Footpaths Society members regularly get together for sociable walks in the countryside. All members are welcome. Prospective members are especially welcome because a walk is a great way to find out more about us.

There's usually a short walk (5-9miles on the second Wednesday of each month, and a longer, usually hilly walk (9-12 miles) on the last Wednesday of each month. Typically midweek walks are accessible by public transport and weekend walks by car. We always advocate car sharing where possible.

If you're coming on a walk, please wear appropriate clothing for the conditions, bring any essentials and lunch. If you're travelling on public transport, please check rail/bus times before setting out. You're responsible for your own safety during the walk and PNFS walk leaders reserve the right to exclude anybody from the walk.

The description of each walk includes the leader's contact details, who if you are a member will be pleased to answer any questions. If you're not yet a member, please email Ken Smith, or call him on 07918 154959. Walk leaders are Society members, which also means they're volunteers.

We're always looking for new walk leaders, if you think you could be one, please see more information near the bottom of this page.

Wednesday, 12 November  (Short)  PAUL EASTHOPE  07759 653 354   pepnfs@gmail.com

GLOSSOP CIRCULAR WALK. 8.5 miles A low level circular walk into the Longdendale valley via Padfield walking around Valehouse Reservoir. Returning on the Trans Pennine Trail to Hadfield, then walking via Bankswood, Higher Dinting and back to Glossop. Train from Manchester Piccadilly at 09.33 am to Glossop. WALK STARTS AT 10.10 am. SK13 8BS

Wednesday, 26 November  (Long)  KEN SMITH  07918 154 959   kensmith4rj@icloud.com

GREENFIELD TO MARSDEN WALK. 10 miles. This walk starts at Greenfield Railway Station and finishes at Marsden Railway Station via Uppermill, Diggle, Brun Clough, Millstone Edge, Little Moss, Close Gate and Tunnel End. Train from Piccadilly 9.58 am arriving at Greenfield 10.19 am. WALK STARTS AT 10.25 am OL3 7JZ

Wednesday, 10 December  (Combined)  UDO POPE  07717 802468   udo.pope@ntlworld.com

MIDDLEWOOD TO DISLEY for a combined walk of 7 to 8 miles via Lyme Park. Take 10:51 train from Manchester Piccadilly arriving Middlewood station at 11:20 where walk starts. Return by train from Disley. SK12 1UA

Wednesday, 7 January  (Short)  STEVE GREENBANK  07801 715186   steven.greenbank@gmail.com

PRESTON RIVERS & BRIDGES A circular walk of six miles in and around the many bridges over the River Ribble. Catch the 9:50 train from Manchester Piccadilly arrives Preston at 10:32 when walk starts. PR1 8AP

Wednesday, 11 February  (Short)  ROSS MYDDELTON  07941547378   r.myddelton1@ntlworld.com

WILMSLOW TO MOBBERLEY linear walk of between six and seven miles via Lindow Common to Mobberley. Catch the 10:06 train from Manchester Piccadilly arriving at Wilmslow at 10:30 when walk starts. Return is by train from Mobberley. SK9 1BU

Wednesday, 11 March  (Short)  JOHN ALEXANDER  07598 835431   john@alexanders62.plus.com

FRODSHAM CIRCULAR WALK 8.5 Miles taking in Frodsham Hill and Helsby Hill, along the mostly wooded edge overlooking the Mersey valley, with views which include the Clwydian Hills in Wales. Total ascent 1,250 feet, with a few short steep ascents. 9.44 train from Piccadilly, arriving Frodsham 10.29 walk starts from the station at 10:30 WA6 7DN

Lead a walk

We're always looking to welcome new leaders who'd like to help run our walks programme. Walk leaders are PNFS members, who volunteer for the role. Perhaps you already lead rambling groups or guided walks and you'd like to make your walks more widely available. Or perhaps you don’t yet have any experience of leading but are keen to share your favourite routes with other people. Please contact us to let us know.

About the walks

Your walk should fit into one of three categories:

  1. Short walks are usually 5-9 miles long, not particularly hilly, and are on the second Wednesday of the month
  2. Longer walks are usually 9-12 miles long, can be quite hilly, and on the last Wednesday of the month.
In December there's usually a combined walk on the second or third Wednesday. It is essential that Wednesday walks are accessible by public transport.

Walks programme

The following details are needed for the walks programme, which is published in the Society's newsletter and on this site.

  • Date of walk
  • Leader's name and contact details
  • Walk description, including start location and finish location if different from start
  • Length of walk in miles
  • Details of ascent in metres, or a brief description, e.g., 9 miles, 1000m ascent or 9 miles, hilly or 5 miles, negligible ascent, so that walkers know what to expect if they choose to join the walk
  • Times of trains/buses to/from the walk.

Leading the walk

The walk leader should:

  • Be familiar with the planned route, either through detailed local knowledge or by trying out the route beforehand
  • Be aware of any escape routes that would allow the walk to be cut short
  • Carry basic safety gear, e.g., map, compass, whistle, etc.
  • Know how to deal with emergencies and know how to contact the appropriate emergency service
  • Check the weather forecast on the day of the walk and be prepared to alter the route in case of adverse conditions
  • Have a system for ensuring that no member of the group is left behind.