Fallowfield Loop
Fallowfield Loop
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles15 reviews
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Annawaltzerpose
Manchester74 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2012 • Solo
The Fallowfield Loop is a Sustrans-maintained, ex-railway path that cuts through the south Manchester suburbs from Droylsden (Fairfield train station) in the east to Chorlton (St Werburgh's tram stop) in the West.

The entrance to the path at Fairfield train station is extremely hard to find. Presumably it was previously more visible, but an estate of new buildings has relegated the first few hundred metres to a poorly maintained path behind a row of houses.

Turning left out of the train station, at the bend in the road there is a wide driveway entrance with stone pillars. Immediately to the right of this is the first row of houses. Alongside the first house is a slightly concealed path, the runs behind the row of houses between two fences. The ground is uneven and gravelled in parts. The width and the surface make riding difficult and uncomfortable.

Several hundred metres around this path, there is a welcome transformation. The pathway opens up, but retains a muddy, uneven surface for another few hundred metres. Then the pleasant relief of tarmac. From here there is a level, well maintained concrete surface for the entirety of the remaining journey.

The first few miles are on a raised embankment, offering a fascinating view behind the scenes of Droylesden then Levenshulme. Further west the track is on level ground and cuttings, surrounded by trees and wildlife. It feels more like you are cycling through the quiet countryside than the suburbs of a densely packed city.

Finally the track emerges at the newly build St. Werbergh's Road tram stop, then a path alongside the tramway delivers you to the heart of Chorlton.

The path is mostly level (with a few slight undulations as the old track passes over or under obstacles) and is almost entirely traffic-free. The only exception to this is in Fallowfield, where the construction of a large Sainsbury's forces the path onto the main street, requiring the rider to cross the busy Wilmslow Road (there's a full pedestrian crossing) and along a quiet 50 metre stretch of Sherwood Street, rejoining the traffic-free path on your left. This all makes the loop ideal for families with children, or those who are still not sufficiently confident to cycle on roads.

There are multiple points at which to join the path, allowing you to tailor the length and destinations to your own needs. Once in Levenshulme, Fallowfield or Chorlton there are many bars and cafes within a short distance of the track providing ample opportunities for breaks and refreshments.

By its very nature the path is quite secluded, but it is rarely deserted with a variety of people dog-walking, jogging or cycling the route. I would be wary of attempting the route at night however.

The Fallowfield Loop is therefore nothing more or less than a cycle path through South Manchester. It offers a superbly surfaced, traffic-free route in which to temporarily escape the bustle of city, and see these suburbs from a slightly different perspective.

For more information simply search for 'Fallowfield Loop'. There is an official website, and a helpful map provided by Manchester Metropolitan University showing all the entry points in good detail.
Written May 31, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

malcolmmckie69
Manchester, UK108 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2013 • Family
I have walked the old railway line many times. You can start in Chorlton and walk to fallowfield. You then have to walk towards wilmalow road and cross by sainsburys. Then walk alonng the car park and back on to the walk way. You can walk through Fallowfield,Burnage,Levenshulme,Gorton and onto Debdale park. As you pass through Gorton they have built new houses and this has improved the area. As you walk you can turn off and go towards smaller parks and Reddish wich are great for exploring with friends and children. Take pack lunch and forget all your worries for a while. Safe clean and very enjoyable. The walkway is a hidden gem and more poeople should use it. Great to walk your dog or cycle. Yes there is barriers but this is good as it keeps you safe from motor bikes. Please if you are bored one saturday or Sunday give it a go. You might just enjoy yourself. Don't forget your snacks as there is no shops. Once you get to Debdale park it is very clean and lots of benches. If you get hungry there is a Mcdonalds if you like that sort of food. The park also has a ice cream van and you can't beat a ice cream. mmmmm. Enjoy
Written May 31, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MattNat1982
London, UK42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2015 • Solo
This is a local resource to me. We've lived near Fairfield train station since 2010. I've walked small sections of the loop and around Debdale prior to today. However, this was my first cycle journey! My word what a lovely route! My mrs and I bought one another bikes in the new year sales and today I did a solo trip on the loop. I absolutely loved it! I've not been on a bike for at least 15 years and this route has made me catch the bug again! It was only when I started picking up signs for Northern Moor that I realised the significance of where this path heads! I was in disbelief until I ventured off and saw the parkway to Northenden. I soon went back on the track. The beauty for me is that it's pretty much smooth and tarmac throughout from near my house to the end. I'd been wanting to buy a bike for ages just to try it out. Glad we purchased them! There are barriers, but I see their value and purpose. It doesn't take much to get through and I have to complement how generally clean the stretch is considering its a public path. I've since don some reading about the friends of Fallowfield Loop group and must compliment them for their achievements. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!
Written January 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steven
Manchester, UK63 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2019 • Family
11 assaults on women in 12 months
Police patrolling it every day
Please avoid here, don’t jog here, don’t ride bikes as there have been thefts, its just not a nice place
Written June 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Steve H
Manchester, UK1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2015 • Friends
There's no getting away from the barriers all along the trail, there are a dozen along the length of the trail. Some require you to dismount to pass through, others tempt you to try and ride through but you risk ripping off a derailleur. Access for disabled users is none existent, the same for tandems, trikes, recumbent, cargo bikes, and even very difficult for a bike loaded with panniers. Overall it is best avoided. A good example of how the Dutch would not do it.
Written May 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

lapat
Warrington, UK129 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2013
Really good track to get to the local south manchester communities via cycling with o work of traffic. Can get dark and creepy when the sun goes down
Written August 31, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

abbeyhorse
Manchester, UK4 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2017 • Solo
I came across the Fallowfield Loop whilst researching off-road horse-riding routes in Manchester. It wasn't clear at first which of the many access points were horse-friendly but the updated Fallowfield Loop Map (2017) shows which of the many access points are unrestricted and therefore horse-friendly.
We joined the Loop at Abbeystead Ave in Chorlton, having been dropped off here in the trailer before setting off for Debdale Park. Hough End would be another good drop-off / parking point too, as the use Mounted Police Unit based there regualrly use the Loop to exercise the Police horses!
I found the trail to be clean and inviting and although the surface was tarmac there are ample grass verges, firm enough to ride on despite heavy rain - indeed this is encouraged to try to avoid manure on the hard surface which may prove hazardous to walkers and cyclists.
Being an old railway line, there are many bridges to pass underneath and my young mare had a good goggle at the bright graffiti on the walls of these bridges at first but soon settled. I had concerns that I might come across lots of cyclists traveling in groups / at great speed, which can spook a young horse, particularly when they approach silently from behind, but found it to be pretty quiet and everyone that I came across was considerate and courteous.
The short on-road section at Sherwood Street wasn't particularly busy either and there is a Pelican crossing to traverse Wilmslow Road which makes it much easier. All in all a nice, multi-user trail and a great asset - highly recommended!
Written March 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

WILL B
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2016 • Solo
I live in Stretford and was out walking and stumbled upon this cycleway at Hough End playing fields yesterday. I walked to Fallowfield and doubled back and walked to Chorlton. Today i decided to ride it. What a great cycleway. Yes it has a few flaws...a few places where you have to get off your bike and get it over the anti motorbike/car barriers but a lot of these have been sorted so mostly uinterupted cycling. Its pretty flat too.

I rode all the way to Ashton under Lyne and at the end rode up a few quiet streets and Joined the Ashton Canal where i rode to Portland Basin. Stunning
Written August 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Adam A
Stockport, UK1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2013 • Family
The Fallowfield loop is a walking and cycling route around the south of Manchester, running from Chorlton to Debdale. It's a decent route for walkers and those on standard bicycles, but there are anti-motorcycle obstacles every half-mile or so which make the route unusable for many types of cycle: If trying to travel by tandem, cargo-bike, touring-bike with panniers, tricycle, hand-cycle,... (basically anything other than a standard, unloaded bike) then you will have great difficulty. Even with a standard bike, be prepared to shuffle round all the obstacles.
Written March 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Thisscreennameiswi
Manchester2 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2016
I have used this cycle way for years more recently with my children. It is a fantastic resource. As I am getting back on my bike again I decided to go last night .. Firstly some of the barriers have been sorted so you don't have to keep stopping.. Dog walkers were very friendly and helped me pass I'm sure you will come across some who will be a pain though. What I really liked is how it was being used by everybody . From dog walkers cyclists students and even a lovely old couple who were on their way to the pub.. A great resource we need more of these :)
Written July 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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