'Hidden' nature walk 1 hour from Cheshire with scenic views and Roman ruins

This three-mile step-free circular walk features a National Trust sky garden, Roman ruins and canal-side views, with self-guided routes available on the Go Jauntly app

Exploring hidden gems just an hour away from your doorstep can be incredibly rewarding, and this 'secret' nature trail just an hour away from Cheshire in Manchester may well have passed you by countless times on the tram without you realising it if you've visited. For anyone looking to embrace more outdoor adventures and reconnect with the natural world this year, the Castlefield Naturehood Trail offers an ideal opportunity.

Available as a self-guided route through the Go Jauntly app, the creators revealed on TikTok: "The Castlefield Naturehood Trail is a brilliant step-free nature walk that helps you discover the hidden nature all around you". The three-mile circular route is completely accessible, making it ideal for wheelchair users and families with pushchairs.

The app also notes: "Please note that Castlefield Viaduct is open Wednesday to Sunday at the moment, but you can still enjoy the walk anytime.

"Add some extra fun to your walk by joining the Naturehood challenge, enjoy the best of urban nature at your fingertips – all while earning badges, exploring nature, and feeling more connected to the world around you!"

In the accompanying video, narrator Hanna asks: "Have you ever been to Castlefield Viaduct? It's Manchester's secret nature park. This nature-filled walk is about three miles and just two hours of your time to enjoy at your leisure.

"Start at Deansgate-Castlefield tram station and head straight to Castlefield Viaduct, which has been turned into a gorgeous sky garden by the National Trust. It's the perfect place for a dose of nature. Next up is the Roman Gardens".

It's worth noting that at Deansgate-Castlefield tram station, there is a lift so you can avoid walking up the steps if you cannot use them. For the rest of the route, there are also no steps, so it makes for an accessible and leisurely walk.

If you "look closely," here you'll be able to spot "old Roman stone work" and also "deep ditches that once helped defend the fort". Then, you'll head to Saint John's gardens, which are "another mini oasis away from the busy streets".

Then, you head canalside. Hanna said: "Did you know Castlefield Basin was once the busiest part of Industrial Manchester? A contrast to how calm and tranquil it feels today. Next stop is Mamacuin, the Roman fort that gave Manchester its very name".

The walk is circular, so you'll eventually end up exactly where you started, meaning that it's easier for you to make your way home, and you'll be able to work out roughly where you're up to in the walk when you're out and about based on where you started.

The Go Jauntly app offers numerous other walks across central Manchester and the surrounding suburbs beyond this one.

If you enjoy this route, a suggested alternative is 'Moments of Joy in Manchester', which is also a circular walk but takes you through Castlefield and Spinningfields. This particular route takes approximately an hour and 45 minutes to complete.

There's also an option to walk to the Trafford Centre on foot. "Ever wondered whether you can walk to the Trafford Centre? Well, you can! Take a canal-side wander from Castlefield via some city icons," the website explains.

This is a somewhat longer trek, lasting two hours and 25 minutes.

Another worthwhile central Manchester route is the city centre highlights walk, which spans two and a half hours, enabling you to appreciate what both Manchester and Salford have to offer around the Greater Manchester ringway. This is perfect if you have a substantial amount of time available.

Nevertheless, if you're short on time but still eager to witness some stunning sights around the Manchester area, you can opt for the Manchester whistle-stop tour, which takes just 35 minutes and provides a "quick look at some of the city's most famous monuments and the architecture of its historical buildings".