Top 10 ‘Outdoor Gym’ Activities in #perfectcheshire

We all know New Year’s Resolutions are almost never kept, and by January everyone’s all spent out from the festive period, so we’ve compiled our top 10 activities to help keep you motivated and healthy, and most are completely free!

Walking paths

Mount Pleasant Circular Walk – easy, 3 miles. Choose whether you’d rather take a short stroll along the 3-mile path or make a day of it by joining the 34-mile long Sandstone Trail as you leave the gardens and the fruit farms. Along the main Mount Pleasant walk, you’ll be sure to encounter amazing views of the Cheshire Plain, a perfect pit-stop for any budding or professional photographers. As you begin your walk along the Sandstone Trail, you’ll be able to enter Delamere Forest, the huge National Park forest. Finish off your day with a lovely cup of tea at the popular Delamere Café beside the visitor information centre in the heart of Delamere Forest, or stop in at Eddisbury Farm Shop and Café for great food on your return to the car park on Yeld Lane.

Nelson Pit Walk 2 – moderate, 6 miles. Nelson Pit Walk 2 takes an interesting look back to the history of the area. The route begins at Nelson pit where coal miners used to work underground. Later on from this point, you are encouraged to cross the Macclesfield Canal, where coal, stone, silk and bales of cotton were famously transported by horses. Lyme Park (used in the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice) and the Cage are also accessible along the route where you can view the Welsh Coast on a clear day.

Cycling paths

Cheshire Cycleway 70 – gentle With a wide range of 176 miles to spend your time on the circular path, there is always something new along the Cheshire Cycleway. There are lots of different terrains along the route to keep you on your toes (or rather, your wheels!) and ensure that your view is always beautiful. We recommend starting your journey in Chester and concluding at Acton Bridge, a lovely village not far from Delamere Forest and just down the Shropshire Union Canal. Visit the Vale Royal Falconry Centre for the perfect end to your day with refreshments and activities suitable for all.

Biking the Backroads of Northwich – traffic free Starting in Marbury Country Park, the trail leads through Anderton Nature Park where you can stop off at the boat lift for a history kick. After passing through the park, the ride continues along flat countryside lanes with beautiful naturistic scenery to accompany you. The loop continues to Marbury Country Park where you are able to relax and enjoy a picnic at the end of your day.

Grit and Gears II – mountain biking If you’re looking for more of a challenging route, this path is the one for you. It features physically testing terrain and old trackways, including the ancient Tegg’s Nose sunken bridleway. Be sure to be readily equipped with water and energy snacks for the off road sections. The whole route is 14 miles long and on average takes 4 hours to complete, but it will definitely burn off all those mince pies!

Horse riding paths

Biddulph Valley Way – easy, 2.1 miles. A fairly easy route, the Biddulph Valley Way used to be a coal-transportation route for trains; however it is now used for walking, cycling and horse riding. Approximately 45 minutes end to end at a gentle pace, it also features a soft track parallel which some riders may use for faster paces. However, for riders who would like a longer stretch, the route continues into Staffordshire for a further 6 miles.

Ride the Middlewood Way – easy, 7 miles. Completely traffic-free, the Middlewood Way is perfect for horse riders and walkers alike. The Middlewood Way used to be part of a railway scheme running through Marple, Bollington and Macclesfield which opened in 1869 however redeveloped for recreation in 1985 after struggling to make a profit for the area. The canal runs alongside the Way for 10 miles, and 7 miles of this is ideal for horse riders due to the path’s barrier-free nature.

Activities to keep healthy with family and friends

The Cheshire Treasure Hunt Trails With 9 options of differently themed treasure hunts around Cheshire, there’s something to suit everyone. Order your booklet today and figure out whodunit along many of the areas featured. Perfect for visiting tourists, the treasure hunts are a fun way to discover the county’s best features such as historical monuments and buildings.

Byways Activity Breaks Take the whole family on a touring holiday and experience different footpaths nestled within the countryside. Discover a new location every day and explore at your own pace. With a wide variety of paths to walk or cycle at a range of distances, the Activity Breaks are the perfect option for outgoing families. Stay at a different place each night and have your luggage transported to and from each place during your stay.

UK Paintballing If you’re not afraid to get your old clothes on and you’re prepared to be fired with paintballs, UK Paintballing is the activity for you. The indoor and outdoor facilities are designed to accommodate everyone in all weather. If it’s a special event, the staff at UK Paintball will cater to all of your needs. Get your heartbeat up and run through four exciting game zones, avoiding your predators. Duck and dive through the jungle on your way to the fortress to spy out your rivals in this combat attack and defend game.