Travel & Tourism

The most dog-friendly waterfall walks have been named – and loads are near Manchester

Paw-friendly trails across the north, right this way. Words by Isabella Norrison.

The Manc The Manc - 3rd November 2023

Fresh air is good for the mind and body, and two things make it even better – a stunning waterfall along the way and the company of a furry friend.

But the challenge of a waterfall walk is that they’re often a little tricky to navigate on four paws.

Thankfully some experts have now pulled together 10 of the most dog-friendly waterfall trails in the UK, with the third place route right here in Greater Manchester.

And the majority of the top 10 are in the North West, easily accessible from Manchester.

The Malham Landscape trail in North Yorkshire has taken first place. The route is home to the Janet’s Foss waterfall, perfect for dogs to play and paddle to their heart’s content.

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The trail is 8km long and will take you around two and a half hours to complete.

In second place is Aira Force in the Lake District, which has some breathtaking views. It boasts vistas across Ullswater Lake with plenty of space for your dog to stretch their legs. This also takes two and a half hours to get round, and it’s worth the effort.

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Saddlworth Moor. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Then we come to our home turf. In third place we have Dovestone Reservoir, which is one of the many stunning walks in the Peak District. It’s located on the outskirts of Greater Manchester in Saddleworth, and is a very enjoyable day out.

On the walk you’ll be able to see spectacular views of the water and might even bump into some sheep. This walk is considered a challenging route which takes on average four hours and 30 minutes. So it’s not for the faint hearted!

Elsewhere in the top 10 is Malham Cove, and if you love Harry Potter, then keep reading…

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Malham Cove has been named a dog-friendly waterfall walk. Credit: The Manc Group
Janet’s Foss waterfall along the Malham Cove trail. Credit: The Manc Group
Malham Cove has been named a dog-friendly waterfall walk. Credit: The Manc Group
Malham Cove. Credit: The Manc Group

Only an hour’s drive from certain points in Manchester is Malham Cove, a filming spot in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One. This hike also includes walking over unusual rock formations, so make sure you wear appropriate footwear as you don’t wanna be slipping through them. This route is dog friendly.

Another great hike which is also in the Peak District near Manchester is called ‘Lud’s Church.’ This walk consists of a chasm caused by a landslip; however, it really is beautiful, looking like something straight out of Lord of the Rings.

The top 10 most dog-friendly waterfall walks were chosen by dog gear specialists at Ruffwear, who analysed more than 200 routes.

Get your walking boots on and go hiking! There’re so many beautiful places to explore and your dogs will thank you for it too.

The top 10 dog-friendly waterfall walks

  1. Malham Landscape Trail: Janet’s Foss, Gordale Scar, and Malham Cove, North Yorkshire – 8km
  2. Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park Circular, Cumbria – 6.9km
  3. Dovestone Reservoir and Chew Reservoir Circular, Greater Manchester – 13.5km
  4. Flash and Three Shires Head Circular, Staffordshire – 6km
  5. Ingleton Waterfalls Circular, North Yorkshire – 6.8km
  6. Coire Gabhail (The Lost Valley), Scottish Highlands – 4km
  7. Buttermere Circular, Cumbria – 7.4km8
  8. Ambleside to Stockghyll Force, Cumbria – 2.3km
  9. Rydal Water and Rydal Mount Circular, Cumbria – 4.5km
  10. Gradbach and Lud’s Church Circular, Derbyshire – 10.3km

Featured image: The Manc Group

Travel & Tourism

Five of the best sunset walks in and around Greater Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

The clocks have finally gone forward and this signals the arrival of the longer nights for Greater Manchester and the UK at large, which can only mean one thing: some stunning after-work sunset walks are on the cards.

If you’re eager to make the most of the sun while we have it at our fingertips, these walks are on hand to get you on the go and treat your eyes to some unforgettable views.

It’s not every day we get the sun shining down on us here in gloomy Manchester, so we’ve got you covered with some sunset hotspots that are nothing short of a delight.

Take a stroll with us, won’t you?

Five of our favourite sunset walks around Greater Manchester

1. Dovestone Reservoir – Oldham

Just imagine the light bouncing off here.
You can see what we mean.
Hard to remember this is on our doorstep sometimes. (Credit: Clive Gliddis via Geograph)/Richard Thorpe (via Flickr)

Is there any category this walk doesn’t find itself fitting into? If it’s not already one of the prettiest or ‘Best Boxing Day walks’, now it finds itself claiming its latest title as one of the best sunset walks in Greater Manchester too.

Dovestone Reservoir in Oldham has been a walker’s wonderland for Mancs and trekkers alike thanks to its wide footpaths that offer a much nicer and less cramped experience.

Due to its valley location and neighbouring rolling hills, you can expect to see some gorgeous views of that lovely sun as it reflects onto the already impressive reservoir.

2. Chorlton Water Park – Sale

It's hard to find a picture of Chorlton Water Park that doesn't have a four-legged friend in (We're not complaining).
It’s hard to find a picture of Chorlton Water Park that doesn’t have a four-legged friend in it (not that we’re complaining).
We managed to source one of an equally stunning creature.
Credit: The Manc Group/Monica’s Photographs (via Instagram)

A relatively flat and accessible walk, Chorlton Water Park is an easy route with some beautiful views, even more glorious when the lake and greenery catch the golden and pink hues of the sunset.

This is a dog walking hot spot, so not only are you getting outside and admiring this stunning green space, you’re also getting a chance to see some of Greater Manchester’s cutest little pups.

Being an open space with shrubs and, most importantly, a large lake, come sunset you’ll be able to capture the silhouette of Canadian geese, which makes for the perfect Instagram photo dump.

3. Rivington Pike – Bolton

Aside from being one of the highest points in Bolton, this prime sunset spot has lovely architecture and terraced gardens for you to roam through before you admire the golden hilltop views.

With summer houses, archways, waterfalls, Rivington Pike has every box ticked and maybe even a few more you didn’t even know you had.

Be warned, when people talk about getting their steps in, this place doubles down on that statement. Luckily, not only will you lose yourself in the surroundings, but there are also a lot of stone staircases you’ll encounter along the way.

4. Peel Tower – Bury

The sunset is almost as impressive as Peel Tower itself over in Bury.
The sunset is almost as impressive as Peel Tower itself over in Bury.
A stunning postcard spot and one of the best sunset walks you’ll find close to Manchester. (Credit: @fell_n_mountain via IG)

Situated in Ramsbottom, an idyllic town in Bury, Peel Tower finds itself overlooking a vast and clear landscape, perfect for anyone trying to witness a distraction-free sunset.

As you wander up to meet the mighty stone structure perfectly placed among a flurry of tall grass, you’ll encounter lots of shrubs and a few well-trodden unofficial walkways.

This route is circular and the views are one-in-a-million, encompassing everything from Manchester to North Wales and Derbyshire (weather-dependent, of course).

5. Werneth Low – Stockport

This next sunset walk is one that people flock to, and it’s fair to say this setting is probably one of the most famous, with people who have visited describing it as ‘the best sunset spot’ in Manchester.

Werneth Low, which borders Stockport and Tameside, has seen itself become a viral star much like the popular Mam Tor; walkers and photographers alike are out in their masses waiting to capture the perfect picture.

You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world once you ramble your way up this Greater Manchester point of interest, and you might even see a plane contrail or two, as the airport is less than half an hour away.

Honourable mention: Blackstone Edge – Rochdale

Glorious sunset over Blackstone Edge in Rochdale/ Credit: @to_lay_myhead_uk on Instagram
A glorious sunset over Blackstone Edge, just outside of Rochdale.
Credit: (@to_lay_myhead_uk via IG)

Here at The Manc, we know there are lots of fabulous walks in and around Rochdale, but when it comes to admiring the sunset, this one takes the biscuit.

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There’s a reservoir, a rocky incline, plenty of moorland and views across the whole of Rochdale, including a distant Hollingworth Lake, all covered in a honeydew sky.

After a trek upon the Pennines, you can stop off at The White House: an acclaimed pub which welcomes dog-walkers, cyclists and everyone in between, promising a hearty meal and proper good pint after a meander around the moors.

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Featured Images — Geograph/Instagram

Travel & Tourism

The best glamping spots near Greater Manchester you can get to by train

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The best glamping spots you can reach by train near Manchester

We all LOVE a little escape into the countryside, with so many beautiful spots around Greater Manchester to explore – and did you know there are loads of glamping spots you can get to by train?

Whether you’re wanting to ditch the car for a greener mode of transport, or you just don’t actually own your own car, this selection of gorgeous staycations are accessible by public transport within two hours. 

Dark sky reserves, wild swimming spots, heather-covered hills, and more are all on your doorstep, right across the North West. 

And even better, Canopy & Stars will give you a £75 voucher towards your next stay when you travel by rail to one of their beautiful accommodation options. 

So without further ado, here are some of the best glamping spots you can reach by train from Greater Manchester.  

Rufus’s Roost Treehouse, York

Rufus Roost
Rufus Roost
Rufus Roost
Rufus Roost
The best glamping spots you can reach by train near Manchester

I doubt you’ve ever laid eyes upon a home as fairytale and whimsical as this one…

You access Rufus’s Roost via a tree-lined boardwalk, leading to a gorgeous wooden lodge that looks like a magical turreted wooden castle. 

Inside you’ll find all sorts of quaint details, like banisters made from twisted branches, a secret tunnel leading to a cosy reading nook, a slide, a pretty mezzanine bedroom and loads more. 

Outside, there’s a hot tub, pizza oven, and a veranda where you can watch out for wildlife.

And on your doorstep you’ll have the beauty of the North York Moors and Dales, a GoApe at Dalby Forest, and a Pizza Shack within a 10 minute walk. 

Treehouse for six from £324 per night

Train: 1 hr, 40m from Manchester Victoria to Thirsk

Haedd, Shropshire

Haedd, Shropshire
Haedd, Shropshire
Haedd, Shropshire
Haedd, Shropshire

If your idea of a perfect weekend is being cosy, reading books, playing board games and drinking wine in front of a roaring fire, this retreat is the one for you. 

An old stable has been converted into a cosy hideaway on the edges of the Shropshire Hills, and inside it looks like something that’s been lifted from an interiors magazine.

There’s a hot tub beneath some of the UK’s starriest skies, an outdoor shower, a campfire with a Dutch oven, a hammock, and a kamado BBQ, plus plenty of more modern features like underfloor heating, luxury bed linen, robes, and fairy lights. 

When you stay at Haedd you’ll be able to go foraging for wild garlic in the surrounding woodland, grab local meat from the butcher a mile away, walk down to Leintwardine’s riverside pub for a refreshing pint (or an equally refreshing river swim). 

It’s just half a mile from the nearest train station, so you can walk or arrange a lift from your hosts. Bliss. 

Barn for two from £135 per night

Train: 2 hr, 7m from Manchester Piccadilly to Bucknell Station

Falling Water, Yorkshire

Falling Water
Falling Water
Falling Water
Falling Water

Now it’s time for a staycation you might have seen on screen – Falling Water at Ponden Mill had a star turn on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. 

And what makes this woodland hideaway so amazing, you ask? How about the fact it’s built on top of a flowing stream?

The accommodation has floor-to-ceiling windows so that you feel completely immersed in your surroundings despite being tucked up in a giant double bed. And when the early morning light filters through Falling Water’s stained-glass door, it’s enough to take your breath away. 

You can spend your days exploring Bronte country and the Pennine Way before you cosy up with the sound of the stream running right past your pillow. 

The hosts of Falling Water will pick you up from Haworth station. 

Cabin for two from £170 per night

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Train: 1 hr, 40m from Manchester Victoria to Thirsk Train Station

Silva Treehouse, Cumbria

Silva Treehouse
Silva Treehouse
Silva Treehouse
Silva Treehouse

We’ve already shown you the magic of Silva Treehouse in Cumbria, but in case you missed it, let’s recap. 

This multi-level hideaway has three luxury bedrooms, a beautiful open-plan kitchen and living room with gigantic windows looking across the countryside, loads of outside space, including a veranda with a log-fired hot tub, and piles of board games to entertain you. 

Oh sorry, I forgot to mention the best bit – a slide, that will whisk you down beneath the house to a covered outdoor den, with a ping pong table, dartboard, pizza oven, fire pit, hammocks, and a bar. Pretty cool, right?

The Lake District is within a stone’s throw of Silva Treehouse, or you can take on a scenic riverside walk to the Featherstone Arms for hearty pub grub.

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Treehouse for six from £336 per night

Train: 1hr, 30m from Manchester Piccadilly to Penrith (North Lakes) or 1hr, 48m from Manchester Picadilly to Carlisle  

Poppy, Yorkshire

The best glamping spots you can reach by train near Manchester
The best glamping spots you can reach by train near Manchester
The best glamping spots you can reach by train near Manchester

The owners of Poppy, a Shepherd’s hut in the Yorkshire Dales, know a thing or two about creating a perfectly picturesque British escape – just look at it. 

From the adorable sleeping nook with a king-size bed and floral wallpaper, to the compact farmhouse kitchen, to the fairy-lit veranda, it’s as far removed from the busy city of Manchester as can be (while being less than two hours away on the train). 

This off-grid hut’s outside space really sets it apart, with access to a wood-fired sauna, twin outdoor bathtubs, and even a dog washroom for your four-legged family member. 

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Poppy is located on the edge of the Nidderdale National Landscape and Yorkshire Dales National Park, surrounded by a wildflower meadow, wild river swimming, and firepit feasts. 

Shepherd’s Hut for two from £149

Train: 1 hr, 40m from Manchester Piccadilly to Thirsk Train Station

Caban Cefncoed, North Wales

Imagine if Little House on the Prairie came to the UK but there were brunches on your private terrace, a swing to watch sunsets from, and a bunkbed with a rock wall you can scramble up to get in. Sounds pretty idyllic, right? 

This is Caban Cefncoed, a private little cabin where you’ll find unspoiled views, a roaring log burner and total peace and quiet (apart for the odd visit from the owner’s Labrador). 

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The owner also has a list of Strava routes you can use to explore the local area, with loads of activities including white water rafting and hiking in nearby areas like Llangollen, Chirk or Froncysyllte.

Cabin for two people – from £139 per night.

Train: 2hrs 30min from Manchester Piccadilly to Chrik Station (via Flint)

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Featured image: Canopy & Stars

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