Manchester Airport Orbital

Train based walk

Leader: John W (meeting at walk start)

Meet Point: Near the ticket barriers, or on the platform at Manchester Piccadilly Station. Alternatively, meet the group on the train, or at the Walk Start at Manchester Airport station.

Transport to Walk Start: 09:36 train from Manchester Piccadilly

Suggested Ticket: Off Peak Day Return to Manchester Airport £10.40

Walk Start: Manchester Airport Railway Station at 10:00

Waypoints: Manchester Airport Memorial Garden, Terminal Two overhead walkway, Runger lane footpath, Wilmslow Old road, Manchester Airport viewing area, A538 Wilmslow road, Gannet Way, Mill Lane footpath, Mill Lane (care needed), Wood Lane, End of runway 02 23/05R, End of runway 02 23/05R, North Cheshire Way, Southside Fire Station, Wilmslow Road Roundabout (care needed), Bollin Valley way, South side viewing area, Moss Lane, South side Footpath, Styal road, Tatton Arms

Return Services: Numerous trains from Heald Green to Manchester

Extra: Toilets at walk start. Toilets at Airport Viewing Park. Please do not bring your dog (apart from assistance dogs)

Saturday, 21 November 2026
Start time: 10:00 am
Estimated finish time: 4:00 pm
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 20.9km / 13.0mi
Ascent: 100m / 328ft
Type: linear

This walk is down as moderate becasue of the low elevation, but please be aware it is still 13 miles in distance.

Join us for this linear walk from Manchester Airport to the Tatton Arms pub near Heald Green station.

This walk starts off near the Manchester Airport Memorial Garden which many people are unaware of. The mile-long airport approach road is completely avoided ensuring this will include more greenery than in previous airport walks.

It includes old farm buildings, forested paths and many views of the airport from dramatic and unusual vantage points.

The walk is almost all flat with a small ascent near runway 2.