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Altrincham Canal and Country Walk

13.05 miles (21 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This circular walk from Altrincham takes you along the Bridgewater Canal to the nearby town of Lymm where you can visit the lovely Lymm Dam. The route then follows a section of the Trans Pennine Trail back into the town. All the footpaths are well waymarked with the return section taking placed on a shared cycling and walking path.
The route starts on the canal just to the north west of Navigation Road train and tram station. You can then pick up the towpath and follow it west through Oldfield Brow, Dunham Town and Little Bollington to Lymm. Pass through the attractive town and you can visit Lymm Dam where there are nice waterside paths around the water. On the northern side of the town you can pick up the Trans Pennine Trail and follow it east along a dismantled railway line. You'll pass through Heatley before coming back into Altrincham.
To extend your walking in the area head to expansive parkland in Dunham Massey. Located just over a mile to the west of the town the site includes lovely gardens and a deer park.

Altrincham OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Altrincham Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Altrincham

  • Bridgewater Way - A walk along the Bridgewater canal, through Cheshire, Greater Manchester and on into Lancashire
  • Lymm Dam - Enjoy an easy waterside walk around this pretty lake in the Cheshire village of Lymm
  • Trans Pennine Trail - This terrific walking and cycling trail runs from coast to coast across northern England entirely on surfaced paths
  • Dunham Massey - This is a splendid circular walk around the impressive grounds of Dunham Massey Hall, in Altrincham, Greater Manchester

Pubs/Cafes

In Altrincham head to the Old Packet House for some refreshments. There's been a pub on the site since the late 1800s, when it was the second stop for the packet boats journeying down the The Bridgewater Canal from Manchester. They do good food and were named Trafford and Hulme CAMRA's "Pub of the Year" in 2018 and 2019. It's located near the start/end point of the walk at at 1 Navigation Road, Altrincham WA14 1LW.
On the walk you could stop off at the Swan with two Nicks pub in Little Bollington. The noteworthy pub does good food and has an outdoor area for warmer days. You can find it in the village at postcode WA14 4TJ.

Dog Walking

The canal is a nice place for a dog walk and you can take dogs on leads into the Dunham Massey deer park. They're allowed off lead in the North Park area though. The Swan with two Nicks pub mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

For a peaceful stroll around the town head to Stamford Park in Altrincham.  The 16 acre public park is one of the most heavily used parks in Trafford. It was originally opened in 1880 and is Grade II listed. There's nice footpaths taking you to gardens, woodland and ponds with interesting flora and fauna to look out for. You can find the park at 42 Stamford Park Rd with a postcode of WA15 9EP for your sat navs.

Photos

Dunham Town, Bridgewater Canal - geograph.org.uk - 1311997

Dunham Town, Bridgewater Canal. As seen looking towards Altrincham

Dunham Massey Hall 20080803-11

Dunham Massey Hall. Located just to the south of the canal the hall makes for a nice detour

Little Bollington - Swan With Two Nicks

Little Bollington - the Swan with two Nicks Pub. The pub is a nice place to stop at for a drink on the route

Narrow Boat crossing the Bollin Aqueduct. - geograph.org.uk - 503663

Narrow Boat crossing the Bollin Aqueduct at Little Bollington.

Lymm, Bridgewater Canal - geograph.org.uk - 493415

Lymm, Bridgewater Canal

Lymm Dam - geograph.org.uk - 49103

Lymm Dam

Altrincham Old Market Place

Altrincham Old Market Place

Stamford Park, Altrincham (1)

Stamford Park

GPS Files

GPX File

Altrincham.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Altrincham.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)