The best walks and hikes around Alderley Edge

A glorious escarpment with superb views

The best hiking routes around Alderley Edge are undoubtedly those that explore the village’s namesake escarpment. Owned by the National Trust, the Edge attracts around 300,000 people every year. The forest trails take hikers past remnants of its copper mining industry and when you break through the trees you are rewarded with sumptuous views from the scarp.

From its highest point, you can see across the Cheshire Plain to the undulating Macclesfield Forest region and to the Peak District National Park. To the north, you can see the Pennines beyond Manchester’s urban sprawl.

Discovering the surrounding countryside

However, there’s more to hikes around Alderley Edge than the famous escarpment. There are numerous footpaths that explore the surrounding countryside and take walkers to places like the prosperous villages of Prestbury and Mottram St Andrew, as well as Hare Hill, a country house and garden also owned by the National Trust. The North Cheshire Way long-distance footpath also weaves through the region.

To the south, near the village of Nether Alderley is Alderley Park, a country estate that’s home to an international centre for bio and life sciences. Among its 400 acres (162 ha) of parkland is Radnor Mere, a beautiful freshwater lake. 

Explore one of Britain’s most sought-after villages

Walks around Alderley Edge village give a glimpse of luxurious living and car lovers will be in their element given the strong likelihood of seeing a few supercars. This is because Alderley Edge is one of the most sought-after places to live in Britain, forming part of Cheshire’s Golden Triangle, a region popular with the super rich and Manchester’s Premiership footballers.

As well as impressive houses and sports cars, its streets are home to designer boutiques, gastropubs and lovely cafes, perfect for a mooch after a ramble on the Edge. The village is gloriously accessible by train too, only around half an hour from Manchester Piccadilly and even less from Crewe.