Altrincham TransPennine Trail Walk
Walk CategoriesWalk Regions
The TransPennine Trail from The Rope & Anchor is a lovely, easy-going countryside walk that’s perfect for prams, little legs and families with older children.
Starting from The Rope & Anchor in Dunham Massey, we join the TransPennine Trail and follow the wide, flat path through the countryside towards Altrincham. It’s an out-and-back route, so the directions couldn’t be simpler, making it a great choice if you just want to relax, chat and enjoy the walk.
There’s plenty for children to spot along the way, from tractors and horses to cows, wildlife and, depending on the season, blackberries growing beside the trail. The wide paths are also brilliant for little ones who want to bring their bike or trike or simply have some space to run.
Much of the route benefits from shade, making this a particularly lovely choice on warmer days.
And when the walk is finished, you’re straight back at The Rope & Anchor, with its huge outdoor space, children’s play area and fantastic food – perfect for turning the walk into a proper family day out.
Why We Love This Walk
“I love the TransPennine Trail because it’s such an easy walk to do with children. The trail is flat, wide and really pram friendly, but it’s also brilliant if you’ve got older little ones who want to bring their bike or trike or just have some space to run. There’s always something for them to spot too. We’ve seen tractors, cows, horses and plenty of wildlife along the way – and we’ve even stopped to pick blackberries! Apparently, finding an excellent stick is also a highlight! The Rope & Anchor is the perfect place to start and finish. It’s really child friendly, has a brilliant play area, loads of outdoor space and great food. It’s definitely one of those walks where you can stay afterwards and make a proper day of it“
Walking Mum – Charlotte
Location
TransPennine Trail, starting from The Rope & Anchor, Paddock Lane, Dunham Massey, Altrincham, WA14 5RP.
Parking
Parking is available at The Rope & Anchor. They have kindly allowed Walking Mums attendees to use their car park when joining our organised walks.
Please park considerately and check any current parking arrangements when attending.
Toilets
Toilets are available at The Rope & Anchor for customers.
There aren’t toilets along the main trail, so it’s worth using the facilities before setting off.
Café Nearby
The Rope & Anchor is right at the start and finish of the walk and is a brilliant place to stay afterwards.
There’s a great choice of food and drinks, plenty of outdoor space and a really family-friendly atmosphere.
Walking Mums Supporter Members receive 10% off at the 
The Rope & Anchor
Pram Friendliness
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This is one of our most pram-friendly routes.
The TransPennine Trail is wide, predominantly flat and easy to navigate with most pushchairs, including larger prams.
The wide trail also gives families plenty of room when walking together.
Accessibility
The wide, relatively flat trail makes this one of our more accessible walks.
Conditions can vary following particularly wet weather, so please take recent weather into consideration.
Scenery
A peaceful countryside route with lots for little ones to spot along the way.
Look out for horses, cows, tractors, birds and other wildlife. Depending on the season, you may even find blackberries growing alongside the trail.
Much of the route is surrounded by trees and greenery, providing plenty of shade.
Play Area
There’s a brilliant children’s play area at The Rope & Anchor, making this an especially good walk for toddlers and older children.
Having the playground waiting at the end is also a great incentive for little legs!
Picnic Spot
The Rope & Anchor has a fantastic large outdoor space that’s perfect for spending some extra time after the walk.
Distance
Approximately 3 miles / 5 km in total.
The turnaround point is approximately 2.5 km from the start before retracing the same route back.
Allow around 1–1½ hours at Walking Mums’ relaxed social pace.
Terrain
Predominantly wide, flat trail with a firm surface.
This is one of our easier routes in terms of terrain and is particularly good for pushchairs, bikes and trikes.
Best Age Group
Suitable for all ages.
It’s particularly good for families with toddlers and older children because the wide, flat trail gives them space to walk, run, cycle or ride their trikes.
The playground and outdoor space at The Rope & Anchor also make it a brilliant weekend family walk.
Route Description
Leave The Rope & Anchor car park and turn left. Follow the path along the edge of the road.
After a very short distance, you’ll reach the gates marking the entrance to the TransPennine Trail.
Take the path on the right-hand side and begin following the trail.
Continue straight along the TransPennine Trail for approximately 2.5 km.
When you reach the TransPennine Trail car park, this is your turnaround point.
Turn around and simply retrace your steps along the same trail.
Leave the TransPennine Trail at the same entrance and follow the roadside path back towards The Rope & Anchor.
Finish back at The Rope & Anchor for food, drinks and the play area.
Potential Risks
- Traffic: There is a short roadside section between The Rope & Anchor and the entrance to the TransPennine Trail. Please keep children close and take care around passing traffic.
- Bikes: The TransPennine Trail is a shared route and cyclists may be travelling along the path. Keep children aware of other trail users.
- Children on bikes and trikes: The wide trail is great for children riding, but they should remain supervised and be mindful of cyclists, walkers and other users.
- Horses: Horse riders may use sections of the trail. Give horses plenty of space and follow any instructions given by riders.
- Livestock: Cows, horses and other animals may be visible close to the route. Children should not approach or feed livestock.
- Some sections may become wet, muddy or slippery following prolonged rain.
- Fallen leaves, sticks and natural debris may occasionally be present on the trail.
- Blackberries and other vegetation may have thorns. Supervise children if picking fruit along the route.
- The route is shaded in many places, but please still bring appropriate sun protection and water during warmer weather.
- Please wear suitable footwear and clothing for the conditions.
Please note: These are new walks, so if you spot any errors or inaccuracies, please email hello@walkingmums.com; the potential risks listed are not comprehensive, so please also consider any specific risks for your family and the conditions on the day.
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