While cold and wet, the outdoors in winter is also beautiful and serene, offering new and unique ways to appreciate the beauty of the Great British countryside. If you can make it past the muddy lanes and slushy streets, there’s a winter wonderland of crisp air, frosty paths and seasonal scenery waiting for you.
Discover our pick of winter walks to enjoy across the North this season. Whether you’re searching for winter walks near you or planning a scenic day out by train, book your travel in advance with Northern to save up to 60%.
Merseyside winter walks
Liverpool Loop Line
Nearest station: Hunts Cross
Treat yourself to an easy walk through a winter wonderland on the Liverpool Loop Line this festive season. The route follows a peaceful green corridor through the city, making it a simple choice that is easy to reach and even easier to walk along without straying far from the station. The Liverpool Loop Line walk is flat, easy to follow and suitable for a gentle winter stroll. Don’t forget to check the Liverpool Loop Line map before setting off so you can decide whether to walk a shorter section or make a longer day of it.
Cheshire winter walks
Poynton Park Walk
Nearest station: Poynton
A scenic circular walk that can take up to three and a half hours, this is a great option for anyone looking to see and experience a part of the North they haven’t seen before. Poynton Park and Poynton Pool make a peaceful winter setting, with waterside views, open grassland and paths that work well for a seasonal stroll. If you’re looking for the best walks in Poynton, this is an easy place to start. It’s also a useful option for winter walks in Cheshire, with a route that works well beyond winter too.
Greater Manchester winter walks
Hollingworth Lake Country Park
Nearest station: Smithy Bridge
An award-winning tourist destination, Hollingworth Lake Country Park is a short walk from Smithy Bridge station and offers a flat, easy route around its main feature, Hollingworth Lake. Normally highly acclaimed for watersports, the country park is set in a delightful part of the country with views all around, a wildlife nature reserve and more. It’s perfect for a walk underneath clear winter skies and is one of the most straightforward walks in Greater Manchester to add to your list.
Yorkshire winter walks
York City Walls
Nearest station: York
A classic destination, no year is complete without a wander around one of the oldest structures in Britain. The York City Walls are also an excellent choice for showing any family or friends you have visiting the city, as you’ll be taken on a mud-free tour of York’s most historic and beautiful areas.
This is a great option if you want something central, scenic and easy to reach by train. Whether you want to walk the York City Walls, follow a shorter section or check a York City Walls map before setting off, it’s a simple way to explore the city in winter.
Ribblehead Viaduct Circular Walk
Nearest station: Ribblehead
For big views and a proper sense of space, the Ribblehead Viaduct walk is a memorable choice in winter. Starting close to Ribblehead station, the route takes you towards one of the most recognisable landmarks in the Yorkshire Dales, with open countryside and dramatic views across the surrounding hills.
On clear winter days, it’s a strong choice for anyone looking for Yorkshire Dales winter walks, but the area is exposed.
Discover the Ribblehead Viaduct Circular Walk
Bingley Five Rise Locks Walk
Nearest station: Bingley
The walk to Bingley Five Rise Locks is a gentle canal-side route with plenty to see along the way. Starting from Bingley station, you can follow the towpath towards the famous staircase locks, where boats rise and fall through one of the most distinctive sections of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
This is a good choice for an easier winter walk, with mostly level paths and a route that can be adapted depending on how far you want to go. The Bingley Five Rise Locks walk works well for a relaxed day out by train, especially if you want a waterside route with local history built in.
Cumbria winter walks
St Bees Head Coastal Path
Nearest station: St Bees
For sea air and wide coastal views, the St Bees coastal walk is a strong winter choice. From St Bees station, it’s a short walk towards the coast, where the route opens out onto cliff-top paths with views across the Irish Sea. Check the weather before travelling and take care near cliff edges as this is a more exposed route, particularly after heavy rain or high winds. If you’re looking for a coastal route by train, the St Bees Head walk is one of the most scenic options to explore.
Lancashire winter walks
Rufford Old Hall and canal walk
Nearest station: Rufford
The Rufford Old Hall circular walk and canal walk is a peaceful choice for a winter day out, combining historic surroundings with a gentle stretch beside the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. It’s a short walk to the hall and nearby paths from Rufford station, making it a straightforward option by train. This route is well suited to a slower winter stroll, with canal views, open countryside and a National Trust setting close by. The Rufford Old Hall canal walk is a great option for anyone looking for winter walks in Lancashire.
Northumberland winter walks
Wylam and Tyne Riverside Country Park
Nearest station: Wylam
For an easy riverside route with good station access, Tyne Riverside Country Park is a strong addition. From Wylam station, it’s only a short walk to the country park, where you’ll find open green space, riverside paths and views along the Tyne.
This is a gentler option for winter, especially when you want fresh air without committing to a long or hilly route. It’s also a practical choice for anyone exploring Northumberland walks by train, with Wylam offering one of the simplest starting points on the list.
From easy city routes to more open trails, these are some of the best winter walks travellers can reach by train across the North. Whether you’re planning for a weekend day out or looking ahead to the best winter walks England has to offer in clearer weather, check your route before you travel and find the right ticket for your journey. Travelling with someone else? Save with Duo tickets and use the Northern app to buy tickets, check live train times and get closer to the places that help you go do your thing with Northern.
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