Thursday 20 November 2025 - GM Ringway Trail Stage 1 (repeated) - St Peter's Square to Dane Road Metrolink via Sale Water Park

When we started walking this trail on 13 February this year, Sue was otherwise occupied, so in order to complete her attendance register she needed to go back to Stage 1. It was a lovely sunny day, so we set off in good spirits on the morning's walk.

St Peter's Square seemed to be preparing for Christmas, but the numerous policemen who were milling around were  being coy about the reason for their laid back presence.

The trail appears to lack a sign indicating its start and finish, and trail markers appear either well concealed or sparse at the start of the walk. However, for those familiar with their surroundings it's a simple stroll along Lower Mosley Street to the Bridgewater Hall and the 'pebble' next to which steps lead down to a fountain near the canal.

This section of the canal through the centre of Manchester links the Bridgewater Canal with the Rochdale Canal, via the Castlefield Basin.

We are now on part of the 98 mile Cheshire Ring, this section being prone to closure for one reason or another, but today it was clearly navigable.

After a few ups and downs, and narrow paths under bridges, the towpath arrives at Throstle Nest Bridge, where it switches to the north side of the canal for the rest of its journey to Runcorn.

Manchester United's stadium is passed. Full of orchids in spring - that seems a long way off. But there's a curious plaque of a frog, with a GM Ringway marker...

By the time we reached Stretford Marina, we'd spent 6 km, nearly half of today's walk, on the towpath.

Time to leave the canal and pass over a distinctive metal bridge on the way to Longford Park.

We spent a while in the excellent café, where the chocolate croissants are first rate.

Our route then passed the Walled Garden and the tennis courts before crossing Edge Lane and heading for Chorlton Ees.

Soon we were beside the River Mersey, with Jackson's Boat Bridge visible in the background.

Jackson' Boat pub is pretty ancient - I remember my father saying that when he inspected the brickwork and found fingerprints in the bricks.

The bridge is much newer, having been refurbished fairly recently.

A path from the bridge leads gently to nearby Sale Water Park Metrolink station - the end of stage 1. Last time we finished there and got the tram home via Trafford Bar.

In today's fine weather, we chose to head to Sale Water Park and a footbridge over the ten lanes of the M60 motorway.

This took us through Sale Ees in lovely light, and on to the conclusion of our walk at Dane Road Metrolink station.

Here's our route - 13½ km with about 60 metres ascent, mainly over bridges. It had taken us a little over 3 hours.

That was a very pleasant return to Stage 1. Next, Stage 17, from Leigh to Irlam. Tomorrow.