A Bury section of the GM Ringway, Greater Manchester’s new walking trail, is the first of the 20 stages to be signposted.

The trail section has been waymarked with small white discs – also known as "roundels" – that point walkers in the direction of travel.

They also include a QR code that guides users to the GM Ringway website.

Volunteers have been out and about on stage 13 from Bury to Bromley Cross, painstakingly marking out the 18km (11.2-mile) stretch with more than 100 roundels.

They took more than seven hours to complete the task in dry but chilly conditions.

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Bury Times: Bury is one of the first trail sections to be given signage Bury is one of the first trail sections to be given signage (Image: Martin Pickup Photography)

Designed around existing footpaths, parks and open-access land, the Bury stage of the GM Ringway starts in Bury town centre and finishes at Bromley Cross train station over the border in Bolton.

The long distance walking trail was first announced in November last year following 250,000 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to establish the route.

It includes a gradual ascent of Holcombe Hill offering stunning views across the West Pennines and Manchester from its Peel Tower viewpoint.

The route takes in semi-ancient woodlands and a waterfall in Redisher Woods. It also features riverside walking along the Irwell with views, and if you’re lucky, of passing steam trains on the East Lancashire Railway.

Bury Times: The new signage has QR codes to help walkers find a routeThe new signage has QR codes to help walkers find a route (Image: Martin Pickup Photography)

There’s also the delightful Holcombe Brook in its narrow tree-lined valley. Walkers also get to visit Affetside village with its ancient cross and hilltop location on a Roman road.

Andrew Read, GM Ringway’s project lead, said: “It’s very exciting to see the GM Ringway roundels start to go up on posts, pillars, gates and stiles.

"It will make Greater Manchester’s walking route a lot easier to follow.

"We’re working hard to make sure anyone who wants to get out in nature and explore Greater Manchester’s great outdoors can do so without getting lost, by adding helpful waymarks with a handy QR code along the route.”

Designed around existing footpaths, parks and open-access land, the walking trail is divided into 20 stages starting and ending in Manchester city centre.

Bury Times: Walkers looking at Peel Tower in Ramsbottom, part of the GM RingwayWalkers looking at Peel Tower in Ramsbottom, part of the GM Ringway (Image: GM Moving)

Green in every way, the entire 200-mile (323km) GM Ringway is designed to be accessed by public transport.

Covering all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester, the trail explores an astonishing variety of landscapes, including parks, waterways and beautiful countryside.

In addition to its natural beauty, the GM Ringway also allows residents and visitors to explore Greater Manchester’s rich cultural heritage.

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In addition, Go Jauntly, a free walking and wellness app, guides users along on the 20 stages of the trail, using pictures and route maps.

The app also includes ten shorter GM Ringway jaunts, including several step-free routes, enabling everyone to sample the trail.

Download the free-of-charge Go Jauntly app and own a pocket-sized encyclopaedia of urban walks here: https://www.gojauntly.com/download-1

The GM Ringway project is led by two charities – CPRE, the countryside charity, The Ramblers, (Greater Manchester & High Peak Area) – and is supported by a £250,000 Heritage Fund grant.

In addition, the project has received a £2,000 grant from Ramblers Holidays Charitable Trust and £10,000 from Transport for Greater Manchester's Cycle and Stride for Active Lives initiative.