North Reddish 5

Route Overview & Local Insights

The North Reddish 5 offers a pristine 5km out-and-back experience along the eastern tail of the Fallowfield Loop. With a negligible 10m ascent and 100% paved surfaces, this route is a favorite for Manchester runners targeting a new PB or a steady tempo session. The terrain is exceptionally flat and entirely traffic-free, allowing you to settle into a rhythm without the interruption of road crossings. Whether you are using it for a time trial or a recovery jog, the wide, well-maintained path provides ample space to navigate past other trail users while enjoying the corridor of greenery that shields you from the surrounding urban bustle.

Local runners affectionately know this stretch as "The Floop," a remarkable piece of transit history transformed into one of the longest urban cycleways in Britain. Once a busy railway line serving the hub of Manchester’s industrial network, the path now serves as a vital "green lung" connecting North Reddish to the wider city. As you run, you’ll notice the high embankments and occasional Victorian bridge remains that hint at its locomotive past. It’s a peaceful community staple where the industrial heritage of Stockport and Manchester meets modern active travel, providing a scenic, sheltered environment that remains runnable in almost any weather condition.