Trail running routes in Greater Manchester
Moorland on Manchester's doorstep: 19km over Norden Moor to Watergrove Reservoir, with a bus from Rochdale to the start.
Areas
1 route
Races in Greater Manchester
All Greater Manchester races →The next races starting in Greater Manchester, with runner reviews and what people wore where we have them. Train on the routes above.
26
Sept
2026
Cheshire Ring Ultra 100
Salford Quays, Greater Manchester · GB Ultras
A hundred canal miles round the Cheshire Ring. Barely a hill.
EXPERT
Entries open
18
Oct
2026
Signpost Challenge Hike
Marple Senior Citizens Hall, Memorial Park, Marple · LDWA South Manchester
A hilly twenty-four or seventeen miles from Marple over Werneth Low and Cown Edge, the long route going on over Lantern Pike and back by New Mills and the Goyt Valley. Breakfast before, hot meal after.
Entries open
21
Nov
2026
Greater Manchester 200 Ultra
Trafford Park, Manchester · GB Ultras
Two hundred miles round Greater Manchester over four days.
EXPERT
Entries open
14
Mar
2027
Two Crosses
Greenmount Old School Community Centre, Brandlesholme Road, Bury · LDWA East Lancashire
Twenty-six or eighteen miles of the West Pennine moors, tracks and reservoirs from Greenmount, forty-first running, nine hours, with a cut-off at seven and a half miles on the long route.
Entries open
£15–£22
About running in Greater Manchester
Moorland on Manchester's doorstep: 19km over Norden Moor to Watergrove Reservoir, with a bus from Rochdale to the start.
One route so far. The Rochdale Norden Moors and Watergrove loop is 19.5km with 390m of climb, and the moor is rougher than the numbers suggest — tussock, bog and faint paths that earn its terrain grade. It's a genuine hill run inside Greater Manchester, and a weekday bus from Rochdale gets you to Catley Lane Head. More routes across the South Pennine fringe are on the way. Every route has a free GPX download and an honest TRP Grade.
Safety reminder
In an emergency call 999 or 112 — ask for Police then Mountain Rescue.
No signal? Pre-register emergency SMS: text register to 999.
Safety guides →Common questions
- There is 1 trail running route in Greater Manchester on Trail Running Planet, covering 1 area. All routes include free GPX downloads and honest grading.