RailTrails

From Manchester

Best Hikes from Manchester by Train

Manchester sits on the doorstep of the Peak District. Trains from Piccadilly run into the Hope Valley and up the Tame and Colne valleys, so moorland, reservoirs and gritstone edges make an easy day out, with the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales in reach for a longer one.

144 destination stations are within two hours of Manchester by train, and 4 National Parks: the nearest is Peak District National Park, 20min away.

144

destination stations within two hours

Search from Manchester Piccadilly

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Walks from Manchester

Stations within 90 minutes with the most listed hills close by, and a long-distance trail on the doorstep.

  1. 1

    Edale45min

    Up Mam Tor (1696ft, an Ethel), 1.1 miles as the crow flies; 8 listed hills within 3 miles; on the Pennine Way.

  2. 2

    Bamford55min

    Up Shatton Edge (1368ft, an Ethel), 1.4 miles as the crow flies; 7 listed hills within 3 miles.

  3. 3

    Buxton1hr 3min

    Up Corbar Hill (1433ft, an Ethel), 0.6 miles as the crow flies; 6 listed hills within 3 miles.

  4. 4

    Greenfield25min

    Up Alphin Pike (1541ft, an Ethel), 1.4 miles as the crow flies; 2 listed hills within 3 miles; on the Pennine Bridleway.

  5. 5

    Chinley37min

    Up Eccles Pike (1214ft, an Ethel), 0.9 miles as the crow flies; 4 listed hills within 3 miles.

Under an hour

Photo of Pennine BridlewayNational TrailPennine BridlewayFrom 11min · 53 stationsPhoto of Peak DistrictNational ParkPeak DistrictFrom 20min · 34 stationsPhoto of Pennine WayNational TrailPennine WayFrom 23min · 20 stations
57 stations in this band

1 to 1½ hours

Photo of Arnside & Silverdale National LandscapeNational LandscapeArnside & Silverdale National LandscapeFrom 1hr 14min · 3 stationsPhoto of Lake DistrictNational ParkLake DistrictFrom 1hr 14min · 12 stationsPhoto of Yorkshire DalesNational ParkYorkshire DalesFrom 1hr 14min · 6 stationsPhoto of Cannock Chase National LandscapeNational LandscapeCannock Chase National LandscapeFrom 1hr 25min · 2 stationsPhoto of Shropshire Hills National LandscapeNational LandscapeShropshire Hills National LandscapeFrom 1hr 29min · 4 stations
33 stations in this band

1½ to 2 hours

Photo of Bryniau Clwyd a Dyffryn Dyfrdwy/Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National LandscapeNational LandscapeBryniau Clwyd a Dyffryn Dyfrdwy/Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National LandscapeFrom 1hr 37min · 3 stationsPhoto of Offa's Dyke PathNational TrailOffa's Dyke PathFrom 1hr 37min · 4 stationsPhoto of Nidderdale National LandscapeNational LandscapeNidderdale National LandscapeFrom 1hr 47min · 3 stationsPhoto of Forest Of Bowland National LandscapeNational LandscapeForest Of Bowland National LandscapeFrom 1hr 48min · 2 stationsPhoto of Hadrian's Wall PathNational TrailHadrian's Wall PathFrom 1hr 56min · 1 stationPhoto of Eryri / SnowdoniaNational ParkEryri / SnowdoniaFrom 1hr 57min · 1 stationPhoto of Great OrmeHeritage CoastGreat OrmeFrom 1hr 57min · 1 station
54 stations in this band

National Parks

National Parks by train from Manchester

The quickest train into each park, with every station that serves it on the park's own page.

Getting there

  • Times are from Manchester Piccadilly, whichever is quicker, for morning departures, from our journey-time data. Check the live timetable for the day you travel.
  • Railcards such as the 16-25, 26-30, Two Together and Senior take a third off most fares, subject to each card's time restrictions.
  • Trains back from rural stations can be hours apart, so check the last one before you set off.