Walking
the Wigan Way

It’s Wigan’s past, present and future all rolled into one.

Now, just like some of the local landmarks it was designed to celebrate, new life is being breathed into the old ‘Wigan Way’.

Born out of a mid-nineties project to get people walking, The Wigan Way is a nine-mile circular trail through the town’s industrial and semi-rural landscapes which has earned something approaching mythical status among seasoned ramblers.

And it’s little wonder why; tying together, as it does, the iconic Pier Quarter, the rich heritage of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, and the storied splendour of Haigh Hall and its woodland plantations.

A group of walkers at Trencherfield Mill

A group of walkers on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal towpath

“It’s not just a walk, it’s also about Wigan’s history – what was there before and what’s there now,” explains volunteer Be Well walk leader Heather Bradley, for whom the route’s revival has become a personal passion project.

“There’s a lot of industry, a lot of heritage. But it also shows Wigan isn’t just the industrial north. We’ve got beauty too.”

Like a lot of local ramblers, Heather has known about the Wigan Way for many years. But when a friend unearthed a copy of the original 1997 route map, complete with short histories of a series of 38 points of interests, she was suddenly inspired.

“My immediate thought was ‘can we bring this back?!’ So that’s what I set out to do.”

Taking a photocopy of the rare find, Heather began to recce the ‘official’ route with her pet dogs Mara and Karma, one mile at a time.

From there, she helped arrange an organised group walk – and it was at this event, in the autumn of 2019, that fate introduced her to another rambling enthusiast.

“It was my first ever big walk in Wigan, before I even worked for the council,” remembers Be Well walking activator Bev Baldwin.

Bev and Heather soon became friends, and together they set about updating the Wigan Way for the 2020s so others could enjoy exploring it too.

The result is a new, up-to-date walking guide exploring the route and packed with interesting facts about some of the sights you can see along the way.

“We’ve tried to stay as faithful to the original route as we could,” says Bev. “But after walking it a few times it became clear that some parts of the walk weren’t always passable.

A copy of the original 1997 Wigan Way map

“There’s also the dam near Central Park Way, which wasn’t there back in 1997. So, we’ve just adapted and updated it a little – although we’ve left the original route in there too so people can see it.”

The guide text has also been ‘fettled’ as Wigan’s landscape continues to evolve around the well-trodden path.

Wigan Warriors’ old Central Park stadium, for instance, has long since been demolished, while new developments include the William Foster football hub in Ince and the Bee Network path improvements around the Pier and the Whelley Loop.

Future walkers along the Wigan Way will also pass a rejuvenated Haigh Hall as well as the new town centre destination, Fettlers.

Heather and Bev have been meticulous in their research, helped by local historian Jim Meehan, Cameron Fleming from Wigan Museum, former Canal & River Trust volunteer Peter Baxter, volunteer walk leaders Bill and Cyril Maxwell, the Archives: Wigan and Leigh, and both the Wigan Ramblers and Lancashire Rail Ramblers groups with whom Heather regularly walks.

“We’ve re-checked all the facts and we’re pretty happy – although I’m sure someone will point something out!” jokes Bev, who admits the project hasn’t always been plain sailing.

“Heather’s a traditionalist, whereas I’m a progressive – so we did butt heads a few times! But I think we’ve struck a happy medium, and I think it’s actually made us better friends.

“We’ve sweated blood over this, we’ve worked hard on it, and I’m glad we’re at a point where we can share it with others. Hopefully, if we can get this out into Greater Manchester and beyond, then people will come to Wigan to try it out.”

A group of walkers pass 'Devil's Canyon' on the Wigan Way

For Heather, the motivation is far more personal.

“It’s been my baby for a long time!” she says. “I’ve had various health issues, mental health issues, and I needed something to get involved in, to distract me from the other stuff that was going on in my life.

“It was a reason to get out walking, a reason to keep going. “I’m also local, I’ve lived in Wigan all my life. My grandad used to take me to Haigh when I was a little girl, playing on the swings.

“I’ve lived on Wigan Lane, right next to the Plantations. Now I live in Aspull and I love walking through Haigh when all the different shades of green are coming through, all that new life.

“So, to me it’s very, very personal.”

Want to be the first to get your hands on the new Wigan Way walking guide? Sign up for our walk on Sunday 21 December 2025. Copies will also be available from Be Well leisure centres, Wigan Borough libraries and the Haigh Woodland Park Visitors Centre from the New Year.

Book your free spot for The New Wigan Way walk