[1] From the community room walk back to the toilets and go on in front of Debdale House. Follow the path round to the park gates. Go through the gates and cross Wall Way with care, to take the path between the last Poplar tree and the McDonalds sign. You are now on the old canal. Walk under the new bridge, the water pipe line and old bridge.
(A) The water pipe line was used to bring water from the Lake District to the Audenshaw Reservoirs, to be held until being used, as a safety measure in case the Lake District pipe line was damaged.
[2] Continue for about 100 yards until you see the Gorton Cemetery appearing over on your right, go out onto the road, and into the Cemetery. Turn right and walk along the front of the cemetery.
(B) In the front of the cemetery the graves are older, but since most graves took at least six internments, some families are still using up space in old family graves. The newer graves are in the far opposite corner to the one you came in through.
[3] Walk up the front path to the end, then go out into Woodland Road, and after 30 yards turn left into Dean Road, and walk almost to the railway bridge. Turn left up the ramp, and then right at the top to walk along the old railway towards Fairfield. Take care this is a dual use walkway and cycle track!
[4] The next bridge crosses Hyde Road, and immediately after you come to where Hyde Road station was.
(C) This was used for commuter trains in and out of Manchester Central station for 60 years from 1898, and as a place to get off trains for Belle Vue Zoo and pleasure ground which was a tram ride away. On the left where there are gaps in the embankment, you can see down into old Gorton, and on a clear day you can see the new Hilton Hotel in the centre of Manchester.
Next the old railway line crosses the old canal, and begins to go up hill.
(D) The contractor, who dealt with the old railway line, overfilled it with waste. From Levenshulme to Debdale, Sustrans when they built the cycle route, pushed some of the rubbish to one side, so the route could go under the old bridges. On the next bit of the route it goes up to the top level of the bridges
[5] Continue to the second bridge and turn right. Just by the entrance to the Donkey Sanctuary.Not clearly signed, but Wright Robinson College is in clear view on the left.
(E) This is the traditional walk that people from Abbey Hey used to get into the park.
[6] Continue down the hill and look out for Donkeys in the paddocks on the right.
[7] Walk out passed the new overflow onto the dam, and admire the views up and down. Walk straight across the dam and go onto the road. This may have a few cars on it.
[8] After 50 yards turn right back into the Park, and follow a straight drive back to the starting point.