6k Run Trafford: Scenic Route Through Kenworthy Woods

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 5.5km loop offers an incredibly accessible and flat running experience through the heart of Trafford’s green belt, making it a favorite for speed work or a steady recovery session. Starting from the Sale Water Park car park, the route follows the gentle meander of the River Mersey on well-paved paths that remain reliable even in typical Manchester weather. You’ll enjoy a mix of open waterside views and the sheltered, leafy canopy of Kenworthy Woods. With zero meters of ascent, it’s a pure "PB territory" course where you can focus on your rhythm while transitioning from the riverside trails to the woodland sections near Princess Parkway.

Steeped in local transformation, Kenworthy Woods and the surrounding Sale Water Park represent a brilliant example of urban land reclamation, having been formed from the gravel pits used to construct the M60 motorway. Now a thriving Local Nature Reserve, the area serves as a vital green lung for South Manchester runners and cyclists. As you loop back toward the start, you are running through a site that has evolved from an industrial borrow pit into a biodiversity hotspot, often populated by local birdwatchers and rowing crews on the lake, providing a serene backdrop that feels a world away from the nearby city center.