The Best Dog Walks In Manchester

Living in Manchester is wonderful as we get the vibrant city life but just a short drive away you can be in some wonderful countryside. As a result of this, I am constantly taking my own dog and the lovely dogs I walk to different locations across Manchester for exciting country walks. Dogs love to explore new places and smells and I feel you will fulfil both your life and your doggies by trying some new walking spots. Here is a guide to the best dog walks in Manchester. I’ve added a guide distance and time along with extra information to make your walk as relaxing and as safe as possible. Have a look at the pictures from some of our lovely walks at the end! Please let me know any wonderful walks I’ve missed off.

Sale Water Park (approx. 2 miles/1 hour)
Overview
The water park is an artificial lake which was dug to provide material for the motorway. You can walk from the car park through the woodland and then along the path besides the lake. If you wish to extend your walk, it is beside The River Mersey so you can climb over a small hill and then walk beside the Mersey. This really is one of the best dog walks in the area!
Getting there
Come off the M60 at J6 and follow signs for Trafford Water Sports Centre. Drive past the tram stop car park and park free in the park beside the café. Postcode – M33 2LX.
Extra information
This walk is very close to the motorway so it can be quite noisy (especially on one side of the lake) so certain dogs, for instance if you have a sensitive dog, may need to be put on a lead in certain parts.

The River Mersey (as short/long as you wish!)
Overview
The river runs a total of 68 miles with a fantastic stretch of it flowing through South Manchester. Google where the river runs through and you can find plenty of places to hop on the path beside it and go for a lovely walk. One of the best dog walks where you can walk for as long as you wish!
Getting there
There are plenty of amazing stretches of the Mersey and I’m yet to explore them all but my favourite part so far is from Sale Water Park towards Chorlton (possibly because there’s a pub on route on this stretch!). You can park your car for free beside the water park (see above) and just follow the wooden arrow sign across from the car park to the river.
Extra information
If your dog is anything like mine and loves to plunge in to any water just be careful as some parts of the river have a very strong current, especially after lots of rain. If the river looks fast-flowing it’s best to put your dog on a lead.

Fletcher Moss Gardens and Stenner Woods
Overview
This is another one of Manchester’s best dog walks. There is a path to follow around the park which showcases the beautiful well-kept gardens (dogs must be kept on a lead through these parts) and passes through lovely woodland. On either side of the gardens are huge playing fields for the dogs to have a good run too! At the back of the gardens you’ll find Stenner Woods which has a good path through. Therefore this is a great place to have an explore!
Getting there
Head to Didsbury Village and follow the main road towards Parrs Wood. Turn right at The Didsbury and Ye Olde Cock and follow the road around till you reach a place to park your car. This is besides the main gates for the gardens. Postcode – M20 2RN.
Extra information
If you want a longer walk you can walk around the gardens, through the playing fields and you are straight on the river Mersey track, which follows on for miles.

Wythenshaw Park (approx. 2 miles/1 hour)
Overview
A large park set in 109 hectares of greenery and woodland but also so close to the suburbs of South Manchester. There is a mostly surfaced circular walk around the park or you can follow the unsurfaced narrow pathways in the woodland.
Getting there
Take junction 3A off the M60 (signposted Sale Moor and Northenden). Turn on to Wythenshawe Road (B5167) and follow signs to the park. Make sure you go in to the second entrance signposted Wythenshawe Park/The Courtyard. Car parking is free except on bank holiday weekends. Postcode – M23 0AB.
Extra information
There is a dog friendly café if you fancy a coffee mid-walk.

Worsley Woods (2 miles/1.5hours)
Overview
A lovely scenic walk through the woodland with a small stream running through the centre for the dogs to paddle in. There is also a lake in the middle which some dogs may enjoy a swim in! For a longer walk you can join the trial at the back of the woods whereby you can walk to Walkden along the old railway line.
Getting there
From the city centre head on the M602, head north on the M60 for one junction and exit at junction 13 towards Worsley. Take a right at the first roundabout and left at the second roundabout. Park on the roads nearby and follow the signs to the woods. Postcode – M28 2WL.
Extra information
This walk is very close to the motorway so it can be quite noisy in parts of it so if you have a sensitive dog you may need to put them on a lead in some areas. Avoid visiting on a Saturday morning as Park Run will be taking place so the walking places are limited.

Chorlton Water Park (1.5 miles/1 hour)
Overview
Situated besides the river Mersey the water park forms part of the local nature reserve. There is a good path which goes around the perimeter of the lake and takes you through plenty of woodland for the dogs to explore.
Getting there
Heading towards Manchester City Centre on the A5103 you come to a main set of traffic lights. Turn left where you see the sign ‘Chorlton Water Park’ and follow the signs to the park. Car parking is free.
Extra information
There is a small park for children to play on and an ice-cream van is there regularly. It can get very busy in school holidays and at the weekend.

Heaton Park (2.5 miles/1.5 hours)
Overview
The obvious one but definitely one of the best dog walks! The largest park in Manchester (and one of the largest in Europe!) covering 600 acres of grassland. There are plenty of paths, grassland and woodland to exercise your dog plus children’s playgrounds, animal farms and plenty more attractions to entertain the whole family.
Getting there
Coming from Manchester, take exit 19 off the M60 and turn right at the roundabout following signs for Heaton Park. Ignore the first entrance and follow signs for the car park. Car parking charges apply. Postcode – M25 0DL.
Extra information
Make sure you keep your dogs on the lead around the livestock pasture. There is a lovely café to grab your lunch from.

Peel Park (1 mile/>1 hour)
Overview
A very simple park beside Salford University but a perfect place for city centre residents to take their dogs for a good run around. This is one of the best dog walks very local to the city centre. You can walk around the surfaced pathways in the park or can opt to walk beside the River Irwell and on to the playing fields.
Getting there
From the city centre head around Trinity way anti-clockwise and turn left on to Chapel Street. Follow it to the end and veer left on to University Road West. Follow this around and follow signs for Peel Park. There isn’t any parking but there are plenty of roads nearby which are free to park on.
Extra information
There is a small children’s play area. If the park is a little busy you can cross over the bridge at the centre of the park and follow the path on your right to another large field which is usually quiet.

Clifton Country Park (1 mile/1 hour)
Overview
A local nature reserve with a lake, plenty of woodland, meadows and ponds. Follow the path around the site which runs beside the river Irwell.
Getting there
On the M61 take the A666 towards Salford and follow the signs for the park. Follow a road through houses and under a railway bridge and you will reach the car park. Postcode – M27 6NG.
Extra information
There is also a visitor centre which gives more information about the country park being one of the earliest coal mines.

To sum up, I hope you have found this list of the best dog walks useful. If you want your dog to visit these locations when you’re busy at work, visit our dog walking page.