[1] From centre, follow Mount Street over Peter Street and cross in front of the Town Hall to turn right along Princess Street. Cross over Princess Street at the pedestrian crossing to continue in same direction, crossing Mosley Street and Portland Street. Just before the bridge over the Rochdale Canal turn left into Canal Street which you should follow, crossing Sackville Street, Chorlton Street and Minshull Street until you reach Aytoun Street. Cross Aytoun Street to walk in front of the Mint Hotel to London Road.
[2] Cross London Road to proceed along Ducie Street. After crossing Dale Street you will reach a car park on your left, walk across this car park to the Rochdale Canal. Turn right along the towpath (caution, open water) and follow the canal until it passes under Great Ancoats Street.
Built in 1799 the Rochdale Canal served towns all the way to Sowerby Bridge in Yorkshire.
Just after Great Ancoats Street you must cross over a bridge (no 88a) onto Redhill Street.
[3] Turn right along Redhill Street (with the Royal Mill on your left) and follow this until it crosses the canal where it becomes New Union Street then New Islington - note the novel houses - then Weybridge Road. At the mini-roundabout at the end of Weybridge Road turn right along Old Mill Street. At the Health Centre cross over to go down Vesta Street where you will meet the Ashton Canal.
[4] Turn right along the Ashton Canal (caution, open water) which will take you safely under Great Ancoats Street which is the first bridge you go under. Immediately after the bridge come up the steps onto Great Ancoats Street and turn right to follow this road to Adair Street. Turn right and follow Adair Street (which becomes Travis Street) until you reach Fairfield Street. Turn right along Fairfield Street to pass by Piccadilly Station.
[5] At the cross-roads with London Road cross over diagonally to proceed down Granby Row behind the old UMIST building to Sackville Street. Cross over Sackville Street at JH Bounds and turn left. Just under the railway bridge there is a pathway alongside the railway arches, follow this pathway to Princess Street. Turn right and follow Princess Street crossing over Whitworth Street to the bridge over the canal.
[6] Go down the steps onto the canal towpath (caution, open water) and turn left. After some 250 metres you will pass under Oxford Road and shortly thereafter there are some steps that will take you up onto Oxford Road. Turn left along Oxford Road which will take you to Peter Street and you can then turn back on to Mount Street.