You don't have to book a place to go on any of our walks - just turn up at the designated meeting place!

Descriptions of walk types: Car Walks   Public Transport Walks   'Boot' Ratings

PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE APPROPRIATELY EQUIPPED FOR WALKING!

If you do not have appropriate footwear, or are wearing jeans, the walk leader may refuse to let you join the walk. Before coming on a walk with the MAD Walkers, please read the Before Walking page and our disclaimer. Also check the weather.

Have you got an idea for a walk that YOU could lead? Take a look at our Walk Leader Guidance Notes and submit a walk online or contact us at .

Need inspiration or walks suggestions? Try http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/ - over 70 walks in the Peaks alone! Also check out http://www.walkingworld.com/ for loads more walks. Want to find a map? http://www.getamap.co.uk/. Also, here is a page of walks that we've done in the past.

Details of how to protect our Right to Ramble can be found here.

JULY

Wednesday 28th: Sale to Salford, along the Bridgewater canal

Train-based walk 1.5 Boots 5-6 miles. Leader: Al

Description: A splendid Urban walk, but also with plenty of nice countryside (both canal-side and also a nice park). This is an easy walk, suitable for potential new members. Hopefully requiring only old trainers and a small bottle of water (if it has been raining recently, expect trainers to get muddy).

Meet point / walk start: Sale Metro Station (Altrincham direction / Southbound Platform) at 7pm (M33 2AB).

Waypoints: Sale Metro, River Mersey, Sale Water Park, close to Stretford Metro (for those wanting an even shorter version), Bridgewater Canal Fork (where the North West fork heads off towards Wigan). We then head towards Manchester, crossing the Manchester Ship Canal at Salford Quays.

Walk Finish: The Lowry Centre / Salford Quays, doubtless for further drinking opportunities.

Extra: For those wanting food or a drink before: "The Kings Ransom, Sale, M33 2AB" just opposite the station does food and beverages.

Saturday 31st: Altrincham to Knutsford linear

Train-based walk 2 Boots 13 miles. Leader: Gavin Poulton, meeting at Altrincham

Description: A pretty, linear walk out from Altrincham to Knutsford with a couple of pub stops. Along the way we pass two railway stations coinciding with the pub stops, so if you only want a 7.5-mile walk, you can break off at Ashley, or if you want a 10-mile walk, you can break off at Mobberley. It's fairly flat too.

Meet point: Piccadilly Station for train at 09:17.

Suggested Ticket: Knutsford Return £5.80 or get a Duo for 2 people at £8.70.

Walk Start: Altrincham station at 09:46.

Waypoints: Dunham Park, Little Bollington, Ryecroft Farm, Ashley, Birtles Farm, Mobberley, Broad Oak Farm, Parkgate Farm, Knutsford.

Return Services: xx:36 from Knutsford.

AUGUST

Sunday 1st: Snowdonia

Car-based walk Leader: Pete Dolan / Adrian Radcliffe

Description:

Option 1 - Glyder Fach and Glyder Fawr

3 boots, 5.5 miles, 700m ascent. Leader: Peter Dolan

This is a short (5.5 miles) challenging hike up two of the highest mountains of the Snowdonia Glyders - Glyder Fach (994m) and Glyder Fawr (999m). Starting from the car park at Ogwen Cottage we take the path heading south towards Lake Bochlwyd, before heading up Bwlch Tryfan to tackle a very steep loose path to the summit of Glyder Fach. Continuing west along the rocky wasteland of the Glyder Plateau (with views of Snowdon, the Carneddau and Tryfan), we reach Glyder Fawr before a descent down to Devil's Kitchen / Lake Idwal and back to Ogwen Car Park.

Option 2 - Tryfan and the Glyders

4 boots, 8 miles, 950m ascent. Leader: Adrian Radcliffe

This is a longer, very challenging route, up three of the highest mountains in the area, starting with a scramble up the North face of Tryfan (Grade 1). Then, a steep descent off Tryfan and re-ascent up Bristly Ridge (Grade 1/2) onto Glyder Fach, before continuing on to Glyder Fawr for the descent down Devil's Kitchen back to the cars (as in Option 1). Please be advised the scrambles on this walk can be difficult and are not for the faint-hearted.

Meet point: Deansgate Locks @ 08:00

Suggested Route: A5103, M56, A5117, A550, A494, A55 to J11, A5 follow signs for Betws Y Coed, continue along the A5 for about 8 miles until you reach Llyn Ogwen, the car-park is on your right.

Walk Start: Ogwen Car Park @ 10:00. Postcode LL57 3LZ.

Extra: Car parking costs £4.00 per car. There are toilets and a coffee shop at walk start.

Thursday 5th: Marple evening walk

Train-based Walk.0.5 boot, 4 miles. Leader: Jennifer E.

Description: A leisurely walk along the canal via Marple locks towards Strines, stopping off at a Freehouse en-route, which serves up to 5 real ales and has views of the Goyt valley, before heading to Marple Bridge via woodland and waterside terrains. There is the opportunity for further drinks at the end of the walk.

Meet point: Piccadilly Station for train at 18.45.

Suggested Ticket: Cheap Evening Return to Marple £1.50

Walk Start: Marple Station at 19.05

Waypoints: Marple Locks, Peak Forest Canal, The Sportsman, Roman Lakes, Low Lea Road.

Walk Finish: Marple Bridge, a 10 minute walk from Marple Train Station.

Return Services: From Marple at XX:36

Extra: Anybody driving can park at Brabyns Park free of charge (10 minute walk from the train station).

Saturday 7th

Leader: Al

Details to follow.

Sunday 8th: Deepdale horseshoe

Car-based walk 4 Boots, 10 miles, 900m ascent. Leader: Saskia Roselaar

Description: From Patterdale we head up along St Sunday Crag to a height of 841m. We then drop down about 200m before climbing up a steep ascent to reach the highest point of the day at Fairfield, 873 m. We then walk along an undulating stretch until Dove Crag, where we drop down a very steep descent (slippery and muddy when wet) along Dovedale Beck. During the descent there will be wonderful views over the valley. We end with a 4 mile flat stretch along Brothers Water and Goldrill Beck, before finishing with drinks at the White Lion Inn in Patterdale.

Meet point / walk start: Deansgate Locks at 08.00

Walk Start: 10.00 at the car park at Patterdale Hotel, Patterdale, Cumbria, CA11 0NN (pay and display, £3.50 per day). The car park is quite small, so share cars as much as possible!

Waypoints: Thornhow End, St Sunday Crag, Deepdale Hause, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, Dovedale, Brothers Water, Goldrill Beck, Crookabeck Farm, Patterdale

Walk Finish: Patterdale; estimated time of finish is 17:00.

Extra: Prepare for bad weather and muddy and slippery stretches. No toilets at walk start, so stop at nearest services (Rheged).

Wednesday 11th: Bromley Cross to Entwistle

Train-based walk 0.5 Boots, 3.5 miles, 20m ascent. Leader: Pete Dolan

Description: A linear walk from Bromley Cross to Entwistle, walking along Witton Weavers way taking in Jumbles and Wayoh Reservoirs ending up in the newly managed and refurbished Strawberry Duck Pub.

Meet point: Victoria Station for train at 18.23.

Suggested Ticket: Off Peak Day Return to Entwistle £5.40

Walk Start: Bromley Cross Station at 18:55

Waypoints: Jumbles Reservoir, Jumbles Country Park, Turton Bottoms, Wayoh Reservoir.

Walk Finish: Entwistle Station

Return Services: 20:17, 21:17, 22:17, 23:17.

Extra: Parking at Bromley Cross Station. Bring a torch just in case. OS map 287.

Saturday 14th: Cat and Fiddle Circular

Car-based walk 2.5 boots, 11 miles. Leader: Jon Buckland

Description: A circular walk of approximately 10-11 miles starting and finishing at the Cat and Fiddle Pub. More details to follow.

Sunday 15th

Leader: Al

Details to follow.

Saturday 21st: Arnside & Silverdale

Train or Car-based Walk. 2.5 Boots, 8 miles, 200m of gentle ascent. Leader: John Ireland

Description: Lunch on Arnside Knott, past the ruined tower up to the Pepperpot, then to Silverdale for a pint and back to Arnside along the shore.

Meet point: Piccadilly Station for train at 10.16 to Arnside (destination of train is Barrow in Furness).

Suggested Route: (From Manchester) M61, M6 to Jn 7, A6 to Milnthorpe then left onto B5282 along the coast to Arnside, under the railway bridge and turn right for the station. Parking available along the sea front. The station is about 5 minutes walk from the sea front.

Suggested Ticket: Off Peak Return to Arnside £16.90

Walk Start: Arnside station at 11:50

Walk Start Grid Reference: SD461788

Waypoints: Arnside Knott (Lunch), Arnside Tower, The Pepperpot, Silverdale, Far Arnside, Park Point and round the coast back to Arnside....

Return Services: 16:54, 17:59, 18:43

Extra: We'll probably getting the 17:59 train back, so Arnside chippy is recommended for tea, around £4.50 for fish & chips.

Sunday 22nd: Frodsham to Helsby

Train-based walk. Leader: Owain Roberts

Description: The walk begins by following the River Weaver Navigation out of Frodsham before crossing farmland to a stop in a pub. We will then climb up to a viewpoint above Frodsham town where there are great views over the River Mersey where on a clear day it may be possible to see Liverpool in the distance. The walk then passes through an Arboretum before a visit to a pub in the village of Alvanley. The walk concludes with a visit to the ruined fort overlooking Helsby where there are more views over the Mersey. At 141 metres, this is the highest point of the walk. There may be time for a further pub visit before heading to the station.

Meet point: Piccadilly Station for train at 09:55. The train also calls at Oxford Road at 09:59.

Suggested Ticket: Anytime Day Return to Helsby: £11.60

Walk Start: Frodsham Station at 10:41

Walk Finish: Helsby Station

Return Services: From Helsby at XX:45

Tuesday 24th: Chorlton Water Park and River Mersey

Car / foot-based walk 1.5 Boots, 6-8 miles. Leader: Al

Details to follow.

SEPTEMBER

Saturday 4th: Hilbre Island and the West Kirby

Train-based walk 0.5 Boots, 7 miles. Leader: Owain Roberts

Description: Starting in West Kirby we will walk ½ mile across the sands of the River Dee estuary to the first of the three Hilbre Islands. The initial islands (Little Eye and Little Hilbre Island) are little more than large rocks but Hilbre Island itself includes rare birds, a farmers cottage and a ruined lifeboat station. There is also a large colony of grey seals on a nearby sandbank in the Dee which should be visible. We will return to the mainland in good time before the tide comes and then walk along the beach to admire the views across to the Welsh hills (if the weather is good!). We will return to West Kirby along a dismantled railway line which is now part of the Wirral Way. There should be time for a pint in the Wetherspoons pub (The Dee Hotel) before returning to Liverpool and then Manchester.

Meet point: Piccadilly Station. Meeting/Train time will be e-mailed to all those who sign up.

Extra: I have had to apply for a group permit to enable us to visit the Island as it is a protected nature reserve. The walk is therefore limited to 20 participants and all those wishing to come must sign up before by e-mailing owain_roberts5@hotmail.co.uk. Bookings open on Monday 23rd August.

Wednesday 8th: Didsbury Fletcher Moss, Stenner Woods and River Mersey

Car / foot-based walk 1 Boot, 5-6 miles. Leader: Al

Description: A pleasant summer walk along the River Mersey and also through Fletcher Moss, Millgate Fields, Stenner Lane (and woods). This is an easy walk, suitable for potential new members. Hopefully requiring only old trainers and a small bottle of water (if it has been raining recently, expect trainers to get muddy).

Meet Point: 'The Didsbury' pub, 852 Wilmslow Road, East Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2SG, www.thedidsbury.co.uk at 7pm.

Walk Finish: Also the Didsbury Pub, for further drinking opportunities.

Saturday 24th: Burnley To Hebden Bridge

Car / foot-based walk 2 Boots, 11 miles, 500m ascent. Leader: Adrian Radcliffe

Details to follow.

HERE'S WHERE YOU COME IN - COULD YOU LEAD A WALK?

If you can, email or submit a walk online

*NOTE: On car-based walks, the walk will start at the time at which all the cars which left the Meet Point arrive at the Walk Start.

DISCLAIMER: Everybody who walks with MAD Walkers does so at their own risk. That is not to say we only do gruelling treks for the fitness elite nor walk in unsafe areas. Check out the programme to see the variety on offer. We aim to cater for all! However the outdoors can be challenging and potentially dangerous and we, as part of a charity, cannot accept responsibility for the safety of people on our walks or weekends away. Talk to the walks' leaders or email us for further friendly advice.