Individual stages

Each of the 20 one-day stages of the full GM Ringway route is designed to start and end at a stop – usually a train or tram station – within the TfGM* network. Stages vary in length between 5 miles and 13 miles. Their difficulty also varies, with the toughest sections in the hills to the east and north of the region. While the start and end points of each stage are unlikely to change, the detailed routes of several stages are still being tested and revised.

Here is an outline list of the planned stages:

1. Manchester to Sale Water Park
2. Sale Water Park to East Didsbury
3. East Didsbury to Bramhall
4. Bramhall to Middlewood
5. Middlewood to Strines
6. Strines to Marple
7. Marple to Broadbottom
8. Broadbottom to Greenfield
9. Greenfield to Newhey
10. Newhey to Littleborough
11. Littleborough to Norden
12. Norden to Bury
13. Bury to Bromley Cross
14. Bromley Cross to Blackrod
15. Blackrod to Wigan
16. Wigan to Leigh
17. Leigh to Glazebrook
18. Glazebrook to Altrincham
19. Altrincham to Stretford
20. Stretford to Manchester

At a later stage, further link stages may be added connecting Manchester city centre with points along the circular route, as follows:

1. West link: Manchester-Patricroft-Leigh (two days)
2. North link: Manchester-Bury (two days)
3. East link: Manchester-Ashton-under-Lyne-Greenfield (two days)

* Transport for Greater Manchester