[1] Walk out of car park and turn left down path by the side of the road towards the Orangery and farm (toilets here on left). At this junction follow the path down towards the tram museum and Middleton Road exit. Upon meeting the main road turn left and cross at pedestrian lights and turn left back along Middleton Road towards Victoria Avenue. Turn right here, walking up to the entrance of Blackley Forest.
[2] Turn right into Blackley Forest walking along the path next to the river. There are some steep steps here and can be muddy in parts. Emerge out on to Blackley New Road cross over the road and turn left, walking towards the Irk Valley entrance.
[3] Turn right off Blackley New Road into the Irk valley. Walk down towards the river, cross over the bridge at the bottom, walk up steep steps and turn right at the top, up some more steps. Walk up Dinorwic close, turn right at the top following the road round to Herristone Road, turn left and cross over towards Herristone Park entrance on right. Walk down towards park area turning right down path and exiting at the right hand corner. Cross the road diagonally and enter a cobbled alley with a black handrail, at the top carry on up Willow Hill Road walking towards Crumpsall Lane. Turn left at Crumpsall Lane and head towards Crumpsall Park. Cross at junction of Delauneys Road and Ash Tree Road and walk down Westbury Road.
[4] Enter the park on your right and walk towards the Visitor Centre.
Outside Crumpsall Park Visitors Centre is the first stop for pick up and registration of newcomers.
Walk out of the park at the lodge on your right and turn left up Ash Tree Road for 50 yards where you will see a public footpath sign on your left. Turn up this cobbled path with the park on your left. Walk down following the public footpath signs crossing Charminster Drive and turn right down the path diagonally opposite coming out at Todd’s Place on Waterloo Street (new housing development).
[5] Cross Waterloo Street and head into the Irk Valley by the designated path and across the recreation grounds towards the river. Look out for blue gates. Cross the river via the bridge and turn right along the designated path, (Harpurhey ponds) go up the steps on your right crossing Harpurhey Road. Straight opposite across the road you will see a gate, pass through and walk along down through the valley passing the reservoir on your right. Walk through fence and walk up the hill keeping right continue along the road to the gates at the cemetery. Walk through the cemetery (not a designated path) towards Queens Park. Turning right follow the path round to the Park Entrance and the Hellfire club.
The entrance to Queens Park is the second stop for registration and pick up.
[6] Turn right and walk along Queens Road, past Smedley Road and Ekford Street. Cross Queens Road at the pedestrian lights and continue in the same direction towards the junction on the left where the Metro exchange is. Turn slightly left and head straight ahead to waste ground. Walk up the steep hill on the left. At the top, turn right and walk along the ridge. Here you will see magnificent views of Manchester. Drop down the hill and turn right. Walk towards the bridge, keeping left. Walk over the bridge and down the steps. At the bottom turn right up a road to the Irk Valley sign on your left. Walk down steps of the valley with the weir on your left, take the left at the bottom, walk over bridge to Collyhurst Road/Dantzic Street.
[7] Turn right along Dantzig Street and walk towards Gould Street on your left. Walk up Gould Street and turn right into Angel Meadow. Turn left out of Angel Meadow then cross the road to walk down Ludgate Road to Rochdale Road. Cross Rochdale Road at the lights a few metres to the right. Once across the road, turn left and then go right along Goulden Street to Oldham Road. Cross Oldham Road at the lights and turn left and then right down Cornell Street. Follow it down Cotton Street, turn right at Jersey Street and then left along Henry Street towards the Canal Bridge.
[8] Cross the Canal Bridge and turn right. Walk down the canal towpath to the new steel bridge and cross the canal (before the junction of the canals). Then turn left and walk towards the lock crossing on your left. Cross the lock (take care on this lock crossing, you may need to help people cross at this point).
Note: if anybody does not want to do this there is an alternative way down Ducie Street and across London Road.
Turn right (canal now on your right). Walk down through the canal tunnel and come out at the next exit (Minshull Street). Turn right over the canal and walk down Minshull Street (Canal street on your left) to Portland Street, turn right and then left into Piccadilly Gardens.
[9] Finish the walk in Piccadilly gardens.