08/08/25 - Greater Manchester Ringway - Stage 15

All Downhill from Here

Winter Hill was the final big hill on the Greater Manchester Ringway. It's going to be interesting to see what I find with the last five stages. 

After 13 miles yesterday, it's nice to have a gentler walk today - although purists will notice a rather big navigational error that led to a couple of miles being knocked off today's route. To be fair, it is easy to just plod on along canals and the bit I missed, Haigh Hall, I have previously walked.

Little to report in the early stages, passing through Blackrod village, with all the views behind to Winter Hall.

Yesterday's GM Ringway

If there was a theme for today - it would be transportation links. The former Lancashire Union Joint Railway leading to the longest canal in Northern England.

Bridges over track beds

Bridges over canals.

The Worthington Lakes break up the straight line walking - a series of reservoirs on the River Douglas providing water to the townspeople of Wigan.

It's the River Douglas that provides the route back to civilisation.

Wigan - with 8 Good Beer Guide ticks and the complexity of two adjacent train stations to provide post beer confusion on how best to get back to Salford.

That many pubs are always worthy of a separate blog.

Walk Information

Start - Blackrod

Finish - Wigan

Previous Stages - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7, Stage 8, Stage 9, Stage 10, Stage 11, Stage 12, Stage 13, Stage 14

Distance -  9 Miles

Geocaches - 25

Walk Inspiration