This is mostly off road or on quiet roads, with a couple of stretches that might worry unconfident riders. These are short stretches and the bikes could be wheeled over these. Needless to say it's pretty flat, apart from a few bridges, and the ascent / descent into the Mersey Valley. In terms of scenery it's ok. I like the bridge over the Mersey, and Dunham village is pretty. On the negative side there is a waste disposal plant, a sewage farm and distant views of a chemical plant to contend with.
The map of this route starts at Dunham, because I recorded the route on the way home, but I'll describe it from Urmston. Turn down Meadow Road (opposite "The Nelson"). Carry on past the awkward stile until the track curves to the left. At this point head off to the right up a fairly steep incline. When you get to the top, and over another stile head off down the track to the left. As far as I know, this part is always muddy, except during heatwaves. You'll arrive (via another stile) at a green footbridge over the Mersey, which crosses parallel to the Carrington Spur Road. Cross over this, and you should be able to follow signs for the Trans Pennine Cycle route all the way to Sinderland Lane. The route runs parallel to the spur road, and joins up with Banky Lane. There's a pelican crossing over the A6144, but apart from that it's pretty traffic free. Once you're over the A6144, it's off road trails all the way to Sinderland Lane.
Once you arrive at Sinderland Lane, turn right onto it for about 1200 metres and then left after onto Whitehouse Lane & School Lane. You'll pass over the over the Bridgwater Canal and past Dunham Church until you arrive in Dunham Village.
It's then about 600 metres along Woodhouse Lane until you arrive at the park entrance. This is a fairly busy road, so you could have cut onto the Bridgwater Canal towpath and headed west. This brings you out on Woodhouse Lane closer to the Park entrance, but be careful around fishermen, and don't fall in.
Once you arrive at Sinderland Lane, turn right onto it for about 1200 metres and then left after onto Whitehouse Lane & School Lane. You'll pass over the over the Bridgwater Canal and past Dunham Church until you arrive in Dunham Village.
It's then about 600 metres along Woodhouse Lane until you arrive at the park entrance. This is a fairly busy road, so you could have cut onto the Bridgwater Canal towpath and headed west. This brings you out on Woodhouse Lane closer to the Park entrance, but be careful around fishermen, and don't fall in.
