Mersey Valley Way opens as Britain’s first National River Walk

The Mersey Valley River Walk, also known as the Mersey Valley Way, is a new long-distance walking route that follows the course of the Mersey through Greater Manchester.

The route forms part of a wider national initiative to create river-based walking trails that improve public access to green spaces, encourage outdoor activity and support environmental recovery.  

The route extends for approx 21 kilometers running from Stockport town centre through the Mersey Valley towards Manchester and Trafford. It largely follows the North bank of the Mersey, connecting several parks and nature reserves, including Sale Water Park.  

Stockport Council for this project are to improve accessibility for different users. There are new signs to direct walkers whilst improvements are being made to the existing footpaths to allow wheelchair users to access the route as well as prams, mobility scooters and horse riders.  

The Mersey Valley Way is one of nine new national river walks. This national status means that volunteering opportunities will also be available to people. 

The government’s access minister, Baroness Hayman, said, “Nature is a huge source of pride and enjoyment for people across the country, but too many people struggle to find ways to access the outdoors. We are changing that today, delivering our manifesto pledge by launching the first of nine river walks, boosting opportunities to be in nature and supporting local businesses that line the routes”.  

Grace Baynham, Stockport council’s cabinet member for parks and highways and transport services, added: “The announcement of the Mersey Valley Way as the first National River walk is fantastic news for Stockport and the wider region. This project will open up new opportunities for our residents to enjoy nature, improve their health and wellbeing”.  

At the moment, Stockport is not regarded as a popular walking spot, and so with this addition, the hope is that it can put Stockport’s natural beauty on the map. Connecting Stockport to many more popular walking areas is something many are excited by. Most notably, Fletcher Moss botanical gardens in Didsbury are on the north bank of the River Mersey and are already a popular family day out and are now walkable from the town centre.

With the length of the route being 21 km, the Mersey Valley Way could also host half-marathon running events or 10 km circuits if the infrastructure allows.

According to DEFRA (Department for Environment and Rural Affairs), within Stockport, there are areas of serious deprivation, and an estimated 36,000 people are living in poverty. There is evidence to suggest that people from lower-income backgrounds are less likely to access the benefits of nature