Walking in Manchester

By introducing more active travel into your daily life you can get healthier, happier, and help to make Manchester's communities feel safer and more vibrant places to live. Promoting walking is one of the best ways we can tackle some of our society's biggest concerns, like climate change, obesity and congested roads.  

So what are you waiting for?

Get Moving. Get Walking. Keep Walking. Make Manchester a Greener City  

Did you know?

Walking just 1 mile in 20 minutes, can use up as much energy as:

• Running a mile in 10 minutes
• Swimming breaststroke for 10 minutes
• Cycling for 16 minutes
• Doing aerobics for 16 minutes

Nearly a quarter of all journeys made by car are less than two miles!

Walking Information

Visit these great websites to get more information on how we are 'Getting Manchester Moving' and what is happening in your neighbourhood as people 'Get Walking In Manchester'. There are loads of Places to Go. Visit the Living Streets web to find safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk.

Don't forget - if you need journey directions to walk-it to your destination we have made available a super website called Walkit.com. Not only can you plan a journey and get directions and maps, it will give you lots of other useful information such as time/distance/number of steps/calorie burn/CO2 savings. Take a step in the right direction and Walkit.com.

The City Council assists residents, workers, and visitors to Manchester in a number of ways when they are walking in and around the city, including:

• The Travel Change Team can help your employer / organisation develop a Travel Plan to reduce car use. Many of the travel plans can help to increase walking activity.
• Manchester boasts a range of public parks and open spaces along with opportunities for walking and sporting activities and sports development.
• Manchester Road Safety Unit can assist with information on pedestrian training, safer crossing techniques and general road safety skills for all ages and abilities. 
• The Public Rights of Way network includes public footpaths - with many specific to walking activity only.
• The Manchester Visitor Information Centre offers maps and information on guided walks taking place in Manchester. 
• There are many elements to the roads and highway network - maintenance of streets and footpaths being one important factor. Operational Services ensure that important sections of the highway are maintained to acceptable conditions for walking. Please let us know if you come across any problems in the network.

Whatever your interest in walking, the links from this page will provide useful information.