The  Trans Pennine Trail crosses northern England from the Mersey to the Humber running through cities of Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull. It is a purpose-built route for walkers and cyclists with many miles available for horse riding and wheelchair access wherever possible.

Mostly off-road, the TPT uses existing right of way, riverbank paths, canal towpaths and disused railway lines. With its robust surfaces and generally gentle gradients, it is suitable for people of all ages and capabilities. 

Twenty two local authorities and the Countryside Agency are partners in the project and each authority is responsible for management of the Trail in its own area. The TPT is co-ordinated by a project officer based in Barnsley. 

The trail offers a wide contrast of landscape from deep rural areas to river estuaries and towns and cities where former industrial sites have become woodlands and nature reserves.

Wild flowers are in abundance along the TransPennine Trail, particularly on the old railway section. The stone used, which remains along the trail, makes for interesting growing conditions. Look out for impressive flowers such as ox-eye daisies, tree mallow (shown), foxgloves and teasel amongst many others.

From the eastern edge of the TPT in Hull, trail users can take a ferry to Zeebrugge or Rotterdam. From these north sea ports it is possible to connect with Euroroutes which wind across the continent to places as far afield as Latvia, Southern Russia, Turkey and Switzerland. 

For more information on the TPT or Euroroutes contact the Trans Pennine Trail Project Officer on 01226 772574 or email transpenninetrail@barnsley.gov.uk 

The trail can form the basis for a great many circular walks of varying lengths. For more details on the local rights of way network - OS Explorer Maps nos. 275 and 276 show all the rights of way leading from the Warrington section of the trail.

Disabled parking facilities are provided at the car park by the ranger centre on Statham Avenue in Lymm. Access to the trail varies from section to section.  For more detailed access information contact the ranger service: 

The trail in Warrington

Take a trip along the Trans Pennine Trail in Warrington and you'll experience a cross section of the areas countryside and cultural heritage.

From the Borough's western boundary the trail follows the Sankey Canal towpath to Sankey Valley Park then crosses the River Mersey and Arpley Meadows.

An early image of Fiddlers Ferry Marina on the Sankey Canal section of the TPT (Spike Island to Sankey Valley Park ).

It then follows part of the Runcorn-Latchford (Old Quay) Canal, passes the former Warrington Dock and continues on through Wilderspool and Latchford Black Bear Park  on the north bank of the Manchester Ship Canal. 

The trail leaves the Ship Canal at Knutsford Road swing bridge. From here you need to cross to the south side of the canal and turn left along Thelwall New Road to Latchford Locks. Opposite the locks a right turn into Bradshaw Lane brings you to the next section of the trail - the former Timperley-Garston Railway.

This eight mile section of the trail runs out of the urban fringe through Grappenhall, Thelwall and Lymm. East of Lymm the trail runs into open countryside, crosses the Bollin Valley and continues on towards Altrincham.  If walking through Lymm why not spend a while walking the Lymm heritage trail .  This 3.5 mile self-guided route celebrates the natural heritage of the village. Taking in the TPT, Bridgewater Canal, Lymm Dam and the village centre it can be walked in full or in sections.

At the end of the old railway line the route for walkers and cyclists splits. For more information on the route east of this point contact Trafford MBC on 0161 912 1212 or the Bollin Valley rangers on 01625 534790.

There are four "Millennium Mileposts" along the Warrington section of the Trans Pennine Trail. Millennium Mileposts can be seen at many locations along the 6,500 miles of the National Cycle Network (of which the TPT is a part) which is being developed by Sustrans. Each give route information and incorporate a different theme within the sculpture. 

Contact the rangers

Tel/fax: 01925 758195 
Email: rangers@warrington.gov.uk
Visit: Ranger Centre, Trans Pennine Trail, off Statham Ave, Lymm, Warrington, WA13 9NJ (Opposite the Lymm Hotel) 

Related documents

Location map - Trans_pennine_trail.pdf