Leigh to Irlam -GM17

This is stage 17 of 20 on the Greater Manchester Ringway, a 200 mile (322km) walking trail exploring all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester. You can find out more about it here.

This section of the trail explores the Wigan and Salford Mosslands. This peaceful area, formerly used for peat extraction, has benefited from extensive regeneration and is home to more than 150 bird species, rare mammals, amphibians, dragonflies, butterflies and plants.

Highlights include:

• Hope Carr Nature Reserve, which boasts a complex array of wetland habitats
• Footpaths along the valley of the tranquil River Glaze (or Glazebrook)
• Views of three historic country homes (Light Oaks Hall, Little Woolden Hall and Great Woolden Hall)
• The 115-hectare Little Woolden Moss nature reserve, restored by Lancashire Wildlife Trust and now home to plant species such as sphagnum moss and cottongrass, birds of prey and ground-nesting birds, and animals such as the common lizard and bog bush cricket
• Irlam Station, with its delightful linear park, restored signal box and friendly cafe.

Note that parts of the trail may be damp, muddy and slippery at any time of year and especially after periods of wet weather.

This is a linear walk. See the options in the location details below.

Well-behaved, socialised and under-control dogs are welcome on this event.

Dogs must be kept on a lead whenever this is signposted and whenever we are in the vicinity of livestock, and at the event leader's request. It's a good idea to check what the route may be like with the event leader before booking to find out more about the potential suitability of the walk for dogs.

New Members

Please feel free to sign up as your first OutdoorLads event. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to message me, or go to the My First Event page.

Photos by kvnmnc.