In Manchester and Salford we specialise in short city walks around urban parks and along canals. That doesn't mean that we are just walking round streets and pavements. There are loads of open/green spaces within both cities along rivers, canals, on reclaimed industrial land and in parks. We want people to know that there are fantastic walks on their doorstep - you don't have to travel miles to get access to beautiful places and we have knowledgeable leaders who can tell you all about them.

But we do have days out in the countryside and weekends away.

To give you a flavour of the variety of places that we walk, here is the latest report from our Walks Coordinator:

(with apologies to Gilbert and Sullivan)

We have the very model of a Ramblers' Walks itinerary
We've walked in Godley; Prestwich; tried to reach the Irk's extremity.
Drunk coffee with a goat down at the pit at Astley, Higher Green -
a funnier sight, about our plight is rarely ever, ever seen.

Such views from Stockport steps and Werneth Low and Mam Tor's pinnacle
Manchester city centre's; Clifton's; Sale's won't leave you cynical.
Venturing in woods at Alkrington; Rose Hill and Ellenbrook
And Port Salford and Didsbury and Daisy Nook we've undertook.

In matters ambulatory, we feel congratulatory,
We have the very model of a life that's never sedentary.

There's Ramblers training and support in organising walks with us
And reading maps, and herding cats; and GDPR thoroughness.
Photographing folk becomes a joke before we even start to pace
And watch this space for apps in place on a future user database.

The Ecology Park's and Pendlebury's wild flowers looked collectable
The reservoirs at Greenfield; Kersal wetlands are delectable.
An evening romp in Oldham or the Ship Canal at Salford Quays
New Manchester Green Trail; Alex Park and Dunham's sylvan trees.

The Salford Trail at Agecroft or Wigan Pier (pies?) our inclination
Diggle; Chorlton's River Mersey. No procrastination!
Up Kinder for the Art Trail; beer at Stalybridge and Ringley
Frosty Yule up Tandle Hill and Heaton Park'll leave you tingly.

In short in matters pedestrian, we hanker nought equestrian,
We are the very model of a fit, healthy Mancunian(!)

We forward walk descriptions to the area and nationally
And ask for numbers on the walk to be reported back to me.
Use social media like blogs and Facebook, and now Twitter
To spread the word of walks preferred - meanwhile becoming fitter.

To Altrincham and Radcliffe, also Rochdale, Weaste and Marple
From Tatton to the rubbish tips of Salford make you startle.
At Irlam's o' th' Height and Clayton Vale we get to organise.
Manchester's masonry our own geologist exemplifies.

We want to thank walk leaders - their proposals so perceptive.
Their assiduous plans and careful recces keep us so receptive.
To keep coming up with new routes and with notions never tedious
And canvass other members to take on the role of lead(i)ers.

In Stretford; Trafford Park, along the old canals we exercise.
Irlam; Northenden and Worsley Woods we love to patronise.
If you've a partiality for wandering in the greenery
Join M and S Ramblers in the quite intoxicating scenery.

What do you think of short walks? And do you want them more centrally?
Have you got some suggestions about any walks more generally?
Anything annoyed you? Don't hold back, I'm not susceptible
Or if you're pleased, we'll be appeased to hear your words acceptable.

In short

In matters constitutional, we're almost institutional
To walkers of the world, we hope we make a contribution(al).