This 30km route has busy roads and unpaved paths, so this route is better suited for intermediate and advanced riders. Start off at Chorlton Park, to Highfield Country Park, through Reddish Vale, Mersey Vale Nature Park and end at the Chorlton Water Park. You can hire a bike from Bee Active, Beryl, or Manchester Bikes. If you have your own bike and need parking, you can use Parkopedia or JustPark to help you out. If you need parking, booking at least 2-3 days in advance is advised.
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Route overview
Chorlton Park was opened in 1928 and sees over 30 000 visitors a year. Recently, some additions are in the process of being constructed, including a multi-function area for tennis clubs. There is a bowling pavilion, bowling green, basketball court, and junior pitches.
Chorlton Park. Credit: Dog Walking Manchester
Make your way through Chorlton Park towards Nell Lane, then turn left over the bridge and right onto the pathway along Chorlton Brook. Cross over the path of the railway, then turn sharply left and right over another old railway track. Then, turn left to ride along the old railway. At the end of the pathway, curve right onto the Fallowfield Loop, and continue for roughly 2.5km.
Part 1 of the 30km Chorlton Park Reddish Vale Manchester Cycle Loop
The loop eventually curves left onto Sherwood Street (walk your bicycle along here), then turn right. At the intersection, walk your bicycle to cross over when and where it is safe to do so over Ladybarn Road onto the cycle pathway (you can climb back onto your bike here) back onto Fallowfield loop for 3km to ride along the edge of Highfield Country Park.
Part 2 of the 30km Chorlton Park Reddish Vale Manchester Cycle Loop
Highfield Country Park prides itself on being less manicured than most parks, allowing nature some free rein. This way, you feel you are almost teleported out of Manchester, as some parts of the park have no view of roads or buildings. The park is a designated Local Nature Reserve, ensuring habitat protection. Originally, the land was used to extract clay used in brick manufacturing, specifically Jackson’s brickwork. An old clay pit was once used as a play area by local children, which they called “The Brickie.”
Highfield Country Park. Credit: Chris Mach
Feel free to explore the park as you wish and then find your way back to the Fallowfield Loop pathway. After exiting under the Longford Road West bridge, turn sharply right, then left onto Longford Road West. Continue over onto Mill Lane, passing the fishing pond on your left, to turn right onto Reddish Vale Road, which will lead you to Reddish Vale Farm. Leaving the farm, continue along Reddish Vale Road, then over Reddish Road onto Greg Street for 1.5km.
Part 3 of the 30km Chorlton Park Reddish Vale Manchester Cycle Loop
Reddish Vale Farm is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10am – 4pm. The farm was established in 1998 and is family-run. They have a horse-riding school and numerous events throughout the year. You can see more here. Aside from this, you or your children can pet some animals, such as goats, pigs, meerkats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and donkeys.
Reddish Vale Farm. Credit: HolidayFox
Reddish Vale Country Park was once an industrial site and is now a beloved part of local life. Ongoing improvements to the park include reclaiming the pond, creating pathways, viewing areas and seats, new wetlands, artificial sand martin wall, and removing invasive non-native species.
Reddish Vale Country Park. Credit: Manchester Evening News
Turn right onto Sandy Lane, then at the roundabout, take the third exit onto Belmont Way.
Part 4 of the 30km Chorlton Park Reddish Vale Manchester Cycle Loop
At the end of Belmont Way, turn left, then right onto Bowerfold Lane. Right after the lane curves right, turn left on the path along the green pitch onto Higher Bury Street, then Lower Bury Street. Right before the intersection, at the end of the wall, turn right onto the pathway. When you reach Green Lane to your right, dismount, cross over, and then turn right onto Didsbury Road. Turn left onto Branksome Road, which becomes Craig Road.
Part 5 of the 30km Chorlton Park Reddish Vale Manchester Cycle Loop
As the road curves right, look to your left for a narrow path leading into Mersey Vale Nature Park.
Leaving the park, continue along Craig Road to reach Vale Road, and turn right onto National Cycle Route 55, Station Road. At the curve of the road, turn sharply left, then immediately right back onto the pathway for National Cycle Route 55, then National Cycle Route 62. A few meters after exiting under the bridge, turn right and go up the stairs, then turn right again onto the main road and turn left onto Burnage Lane. At the intersection, turn left onto Queensway, which becomes School Lane.
Part 6 of the 30km Chorlton Park Reddish Vale Manchester Cycle Loop
Mersey Vale Nature Park houses various wildlife and habitats, an orchard, ponds, and a wildflower meadow. This is a great treat, considering the land was once the bleachworks and railway lines.
Mersey Vale Nature Park. Credit: Manchester’s Finest
After Kingsfield Drive on your left, turn left, and you’ll see the sign for a No Through Road for cars. Once over the short bridge, turn immediately right, then sharp left to ride along and around the football pitch. Turn left to pass the cafe and community centre towards Wilmslow Road, then turn right, immediately left onto Dene Road, and left again onto Ford Lane, which becomes National Cycle Route 62. Follow the curves of the pathway that eventually take you to the River Mersey. Cross over the green bridge, Simon’s Bridge, and continue straight on Ford Lane. Follow the path as it leads you to the River Mersey
Part 7 of the 30km Chorlton Park Reddish Vale Manchester Cycle Loop
Follow the bow of the river, under the bridge, then turn slightly right at the end of Ford Lane onto Church Road. Turn slightly right again onto Kenworthy Lane. After about 450 meters, turn left onto Yewtree Lane. take the pathway off to the right before the road curves left, then turn left to ride over the bridge over the main road. At the end, turn right to ride along the designated pathway along the main road, and follow its curve to the left. At the end of the path, turn right onto Willenhall Road under four bridges.
Part 8 of the 30km Chorlton Park Reddish Vale Manchester Cycle Loop
After the fourth bridge, turn right to ride along the main road on your right. After the bridge, turn sharply left twice towards the river. Then, turn right to follow the river towards Chorlton Water Park. From here, to return to start, follow Maitland Avenue, then turn left onto Darley Avenue and right onto Hardy Lane.
Part 9 of the 30km Chorlton Park Reddish Vale Manchester Cycle Loop
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Resources:
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