National Cycle Network (NCN) Route 62 is a Sustrans National Route that runs from Fleetwood to Selby.[1] As of 2018 the route has a missing section between Preston and Southport but is otherwise open and signed.
Much of route 62 was created as part of the Trans Pennine Trail, a long-distance path running from coast to coast across Northern England. It forms part of European walking route E8.[2] It was given the route number 62 in reference to the M62 motorway which it running parallel to between Liverpool and Selby.
The western trailhead is in Fleetwood. The route follows the coast on traffic-free paths to Lytham St Annes via Blackpool. From Lytham, the route follows minor roads to the western outskirts of Preston. Passing through the city centre the route reaches Hutton. From here to the northern edge of Southport the route has yet to be determined.
From Southport to Widnes the route is extensively traffic-free.[3] It is mainly made up of old railway lines including the Liverpool Loop Line through the city's eastern suburbs.[4] Continuing on canals and old railway lines between Widnes and Altrincham. The route then follows the River Mersey though Manchester southern suburbs to reach Stockport.
Route 62 continues from Stockport on a mixture of traffic-free and on-road routes. From Hadfield it crosses the Peak District, heading up the Longdendale valley via the Longdendale Trail to Woodhead, then down through Dunford Bridge, Penistone and Doncaster. The eastern trailhead is in Selby where it meets Route 65.
Several sections of Route 62 are signed as local routes or trails. These include:
Route 62 meets the following routes:
Route 62 is part of the Trans Pennine Trail (east) along with Route 65.
Route 62 is part of the Pennine Cycleway along with Route 68.