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, 29 April  (Long)  DAVID GOSLING  07841 647275   davidgosling@pnfs.org.uk

Bluebells and Ringley Bridge walk via Moses Gate Country Park, Nob End Nature Reserve, Prestolee Locks (the Meccano Bridge), and the Bluebell Woods of Giants Seat, finishing at the Horseshoe Pub by the historic Ringley Bridge. This walk starts at Kearsley Railway Station (SD 75254 05340) 10.09 am from Manchester Victoria arrives Kearsley 10.23 am. 8 miles WALK STARTS AT 10.30 am BL4 8DU

Wednesday, 6 May  (Short)  DAVID MORTON  07858 915321‬   signposts@pnfs.org.uk

WHALEY BRIDGE CIRCULAR WALK, of 6.3 miles with 820 feet of ascent. Take the 9.51 Buxton train from Manchester Piccadilly arriving at Whaley Bridge at 10.33 then starting from the railway station and visiting Overton Hall Farm, Fernilee Dam and Shallcross Wood finishing at The Shepherds Arms for refreshment options, returning by train to Manchester. SK23 7AA

Wednesday, 27 May  (Long)  KEN SMITH  07918 154959   kensmith4rj@icloud.com

PNFS MARTIN RILEY MEMORIAL WALK - GREENFIELD TO SHAW. 8.4 miles. Details to follow... OL3 7JZ

Wednesday, 10 June  (Short)  KEN BROCKWAY & JOHN KIDD  07895 983857   great.english.walk@gmail.com

TUTBURY & HATTON CIRCULAR WALK of 9 miles with about 400 feet of ascent visiting Tutbury, Rolleston and Anslow finishing at Black Country Inn for refreshments before return to the station for 16:39 return train. Either take 10:03 train from Manchester Piccadilly change Stoke on Trent or use buses from Derby or Burton on Trent to arrive at Tutbury & Hatton station at 11:23 when walk will start. DLE3 9LY

Wednesday, 8 July  (Short)  BRIAN LOMAS  0161 688 5237   rossmyd@gmail.com

FAILSWORTH TO MOSSLEY Meet Brian at 10 o’clock outside Manchester Piccadilly Travelodge ( former Woolworths building ) Piccadilly Gardens for onward bus travel (No 76 Stand D) to Failsworth. A walk to discover the recently replaced Ash Bridge on footpath 50 and onward up to Hartshead Pike then descending to Mossley OL5 0AB. Distance 8 miles Return by train from MOSSLEY M60 1HX

Wednesday, 29 July  (Long)  UDO POPE  07717 802468   udo.pope@ntlworld.com

SILVERDALE details to follow

Wednesday, 26 August  (Long)  ANN HADEN  07766 194 900   ann.vernon-haden@virginmedia.com

Edale to Hope linear walk via the south edge of Kinder (320m), Win Hill (130m) and New Inn at Hope. 9:47 am train from Manchester Piccadilly arrives at 10:32 am. 10 miles. WALK STARTS AT 10.35 am S33 7ZN

Wednesday, 9 September  (Short)  MIKE GUNN  07724 155847   michaelgunn65@gmail.com

PLUMLEY CIRCULAR WALK 7 MILES, details to follow Train from Manchester Piccadilly at 9:39 arriving PLUMLEY at 10:30 WA16 9RU

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.