Sport

A scenic trail run event from Manchester to the Peak District is happening this summer

Fancy heading for the hills?

Danny Jones - 14th January 2026

For those who love to run or simply lap up the outdoors, a scenic trail event from Manchester all the way to the Peak District is happening this summer.

Whether you fancy running, walking or hiking it, doing a full marathon or a slightly more leisurely 25 kilometres, Trail Escape Manchester 2026 might just be up your street – well, ‘desired path’, maybe.

Yes, with the North West region at large kicking off the New Year well and truly in its running era, yet another endurance event has popped up.

However, if trotting along tarmac isn’t quite your thing, this one that heads up into the hills is a great alternative; plus, you can do it at your own pace and, as mentioned, choose your distance.

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Taking place right at the start of the warmest and brightest season, meaning you have the chance of the best weather and the most light possible, Trail Escape MCR 2026 is exactly as advertised: a big long route spanning all the way from one of our best green spaces and up into the Peaks.

Setting off from Phillips Park just a couple of miles beyond the city limits, which lays within the valley of the River Medlock, it’s one of the oldest, largest and most beautiful parks anywhere in the 10 boroughs.

As for the Peak District itself, we don’t need to tell you pretty the vistas are up there: all you may require is a little lay of the land, or rather a teaser.

The best part about these kinds of experiences is enjoying the terrain unfurling itself in front on you.

Starting in central Manchester and preferring as many traffic-free turns on the route as possible, they promise “rolling hills, fields, lakes and woodland beyond”, with the high-point looping around Hartshead Pike up in Tameside.

You can see the full interactive map on Strava below or you can even download the route for yourself.

Participants will of course end back here in Manchester city centre, where the celebrations are sure to be jubilant, and there’s plenty of time for spectators to enjoy local pubs, cafes and more in Mossley before catching everyone at the finish line.

Now, it’s worth reiterating that while this is a timed event, it is NOT a race; any and all attempts at doing this particualrly quickly are completely down to you.

The real beauty of this event, besides the stunning panoromic views stretching across the Peaks and eventually the Manchester skyline off in the distance, is the joy of discovering these landscape that you might otherwise have witnessed solo.

Better still, with this being a full supported event, there’ll be plenty of aid stations throughout the duration, whether you’re doing the 25k or a full trail mara. Sound like a bit of you? Find out more information, including where to sign up, right HERE.

Gosh, all this talk of trails has us fancying a jog and a casual little pint afterwards…