2024

The walk starts at 10am from the lay-by by the Old Water Tower (Travis Perkins Trading Co) Mobberley Road, Knutsford.  The nearest postcode is WA16 8EU

Directions to the start: Make your way from Wilmslow to Mobberley village and continue on the main road through the village until you see the big brick water tower on your right. Just after passing it turn right ( filter arrow on the road) into the large lay-by. 

Walk description:  This is a pleasant, scenic walk for a winter day. The walk is large confined to the 1,000 acres of Tatton Park, but has a short extension into Knutsford at the start so that the whole perimeter of the Park can be explored. We return to the start via Dog Wood. The Woodland and lakeside paths are mainly flat and any inclines are gentle. Some paths may be muddy.  Hopefully, we will  enjoy close views of the Fallow Deer. 

The walk is a loop from Clough House car park to Three Shire Heads, the Dane Valley and Whetstone Ridge, returning along Cumberland Brook. Easy in length, but Moderate in difficulty. The section of the route along the Dane Valley was very wet and muddy on our recce and there is a short steep uphill section to the road. The moors are also pretty wet underfoot, all the streams are overflowing and any duck boards are very slippery. Gaiters and poles are advised. 6.25 miles

Walk start: 10.00am, Clough House car park Postcode SK11 0BD

Directions: My preferred route is to take the new Buxton Road from Arighi Bianchi in Macclesfield. After just over 3 miles, turn right as the A537 goes sharp left, onto what becomes Ankers Lane. Drive 1.5 miles. Go right at the Stanley Arms. Clough House car park is on the right after 1.7 miles.

 The walk starts at 10am,

 Old Chester Road, Higher Walton WA4 6TG

Directions to the start;

Pick up the M56 towards Warrington, Chester, leave at junction 10, take the fourth exit onto A49 Tarporley Road, at traffic lights at Stockton Heath turn left, continue to A56 then merge left, pass the crematorium turn left onto Old Chester Road,  roadside parking by the church.

Alternative route. I find this route much easier and quicker;

 Leaving the motorway at Lymm intersection take the A 50 towards Warrington,

 turn left at traffic lights at Grappenhall and continue to Stockton Heath, continue through traffic lights, turning left on to A56   just after passing Walton crematorium turn left onto Chester Old road, roadside parking by the church.

 Walk Details

 A very easy winter walk going through, parkland, minor roads, tracks, muddy fields and canal walking.

 Note; I am happy to give three lifts from Lymm Intersection, WhatsApp or email me for parking information.

 This area is notorious for speed radar cameras.

 Also beware, some satnavs like to take you along a narrow unadopted road, not advised!

Walk starts at 10am at Lindow Common car park, Wilmslow post code SK9 5LW. The car park is opposite Hickories Smoke House, the old Boddingtons pub. 

The walk goes along the Carrs, from Twinnies Bridge across fields to Styal, on to Styal Mill and returns via the path alongside the rugby club. There will be a lunch stop at Styal Mill with toilets available. 

This is an easy walk for early in January

Walk starts at 10am from the Poynton Pool car park. Postcode SK12 1BT

Directions to the start:  drive to the centre of Poynton, turn left (northwards) and turn into 3rd road on the right, South Park Drive. The car park is part way up the road on the left.

The walk goes to the Middlewood Way, turns south and returns north on the canal, leaving at the Princes Incline and across fields to Poynton.

The walk starts at 10am from free roadside parking alongside and opposite the Old Kings Pub, Byrons Lane,Gurnett SK11 OHD (there is more parking a short way up Bullocks Lane on the left just beyond Fairways Garden Centre on the LH side).

Description of the walk: we walk along the canal to then go round Danes Moss Nature Reserve (going over a railway pedestrian bridge); back onto the canal towpath; then taking the path alongside Sutton Reservoir to Sutton Lane End;  we then cross fields to Langley; then taking the path past Birch Knoll, we go back to Gurnett via the canal towpath. Good paths with some muddy bits!

NOTE:  Adlington Road in Bollington is currently closed. Members joining the walk should instead park on the road either side of the turn on to Adlington Road and walk the short distance to the car park. 

The walk starts at 10am from the Middlewood Way car park on Adlington Road,  Bollington. Postcode SK10 5JT

Directions to the start: Turn off the A523 Stockport to Macclesfield Road onto the B5090, signed Bollington. Continue through the town and shortly after passing under a viaduct turn left into Adlington Road at the brown sign for the Middlewood Way and Canal. Continue round to the car park on the left  

Walk description: This is a winter's day walk with only a few potentially muddy stiles and fields to traverse. There is, however, a long stretch  on the canal towpath and more road walking than on most of my walks. The advantage is you can enjoy the views without constantly having to watch your feet! After climbing up to the Middlewood Way and passing the large stone "Bollington Labyrinth" we continue up to the Macclesfield Canal. We walk along the scenic towpath following  the Cheshire Ring Canal Walk to Lyme View Marina. We then cross fields and farmland on the North Cheshire Way before taking a lane to Birchencliffe. Passing attractive cottages we head up a rough track to Moorside Lane.  On a clear day the views extend to the Welsh Hills. We descend to Pott Shrigley village for lunch on benches in the grounds of St Christopher's Church,  a grade 1 listed building built from local stone in the 15th Century. We then follow quiet roads back down to Bollington and cross the recreation ground back to the start. 

Due to illness, this walk has been cancelled

The walk starts at 10.00am from Trentabank Visitor car park (SK11 0NS). The car park is pay and display but there is free roadside parking next to the car park.

Directions to start.

Find your way to Macclesfield and take the A523 south out of the town. Turn left onto Byrons Lane and follow the road towards Langley. At the Leather’s Smithy pub continue along the side of Trentabank reservoir until you get to the Visitor Centre.

Description of walk.

We walk up and out of Macclesfield Forest before descending to the Stanley Arms pub (sadly shut!) and then up towards Standing Stones car park. We then descend back towards Trentabank reservoir and the Visitor Centre.

The walk could  be muddy in places, so poles may be an option.

The walk starts at 10am on Smithy Lane Rainow. Nearest post code SK10 5XE.

Directions to start.

Take your preferred route to Macclesfield and B5470 to Rainow. Pass the church in Rainow and turn left onto Smithy Lane just before the Robin Hood Inn. Park near a bench on your left.

Walk details: A gradual ascent through fields towards Four Lane Ends Farm,Harrop Fold Farm and Further Harrop Farm and on to Charles Head. From there we head south to Jenkin Chapel, returning on lanes and tracks to Rainow. Expect mud unless ground is frozen.

Outline: A circuit around Combs Valley that includes dramatic Combs Edge - the western clifftop of Combs Moss. This is an easily accessible picturesque area which feels surprisingly remote.

Difficulty: A long stroll with some steep and muddy paths on Combs Edge.

Start: 10:30hrs at roadside parking by The Beehive Inn, Combs, High Peak SK23 9UT. Lat/Long 53.303798, -1.939260. OS Map OL24 White peak , OS Grid Ref: SK 04146 78552

Route: Beehive Inn, Bank Hall Farm, Castle Naze Fort, Combs Edge, White Hall Centre, Wainstones, Haylee Farm, Thorney Lee, Beehive Inn.

Refreshments:  The Beehive Inn may provide a variety of refreshments at the end of the walk.

Outdooractive route details and map

The walk starts at 10.00am from the car park of the Bickerton Poacher pub on the Wrexham Road (A534), near Peckforton SY14 8BE. The car park is free.

Directions to start. Find your way onto the M56 westbound towards Chester. Exit M56 at junction 7 onto A556 to Chester. After 15 miles, at the traffic lights (Shell garage) turn left onto the A49 to Tarporley. Proceed ahead for 8 miles on the bypass past Tarporley until the traffic lights at the Rasoi Indian Restaurant where you turn right, still on the A49. Proceed for 6.3 miles and then turn right onto the A534. Proceed ahead for 2 miles and the Bickerton Poacher pub is on your left. The car park is on the left, just beyond (but part of) the pub.

Details of walk. We climb up behind the pub and around Raw Head, before descending to cross the main road before a gentle climb to Maiden Castle. We then descend and return to the pub. If the weather is kind we should get some wonderful views across Cheshire.

The walk could be muddy in places, so poles may be an option

The walk starts at 10am Clay Lane Over Peover SJ784735 Post code WA16 8UE

Directions to start.

From Wilmslow take the A34 by pass heading towards Monks Heath. As the by pass ends continue south and at the second set of lights turn right signposted Preston, Chester and Holmes Chapel. After a short distance turn right onto A537 towards Chelford. Drive for approx 2miles, passing through Chelford and at the crossroads turn left onto Pepper Street. Continue straight on at the next cross roads onto Chelford Lane and straight on at the primary school onto Clay Lane. Park at the far end of Clay Lane.

Details of walk

This is an easy walk with no ascents along fields,lanes and tracks. We walk past Peover Hall and Church heading out to the Whipping Stocks. From there we head towards St Oswald’s Church at Lower Peover and The Bells of Peover. Our route then takes us to the A50, from where we return to Peover Hall through Spinney Wood.

The fields were wet and muddy on the recce so be prepared.

Walk starts at 10am at Nelson Pit Carpark,

Cost of car park is £3. There is road side parking by turning right just before minor road to the car par.

Directions to the start: car park post code is SK12 1TH. Go to Poyton, at cross roads go along road going alongside Waitrose, at Y junction bear left, then turn right on to Anson Road, past recycling centre and at cross road keep ahead and almost immediately turn left into car park. There are toilets in car park.

The walk goes along canal for a short distance then into Lyme Park, to the Bowsones, descending towards Whalley Bridge , turning left past the School Building then by the Park entrance to Disley and across fields to the car park.

The walk starts at 10am from parking bays on  Hyde Bank Road in New Mills. Nearest postcode is SK22 4BP, which is New Mills Leisure Centre further along Hyde Bank Road.

Directions:  From Wilmslow take the A555 to the A6 and turn right, or go through Woodford to Poynton and turn left onto the A523 towards Hazel Grove, then right onto the A6 by the Rising Sun pub. From the Rising Sun you follow the A6 Buxton Road for 4.9 miles. Turn left onto Albion Road A6015 towards New Mills. After 0.6 miles go straight on at the lights, immediately crossing a bridge over the River Goyt, and take the first left onto Hyde Bank Road opposite the Co-op. Park on the left in marked bays.

Walk description:  A generally easy walk on trails,  bridleways and quiet roads,  but there are a few short ascents and several fields to cross, which may be muddy. Poles may be useful.  We join the Sett Valley Trail near New Mills Leisure Centre and follow it to Birch Vale. We then cross  open country to the south, hopefully enjoying some scenic views, before returning along the River Goyt to the spectacular Torrs Gorge and Millennium Bridge. Finally we climb steps back up to Hyde Bank Road.

I led this walk 4 years ago. 

The walk starts at 10am Nelson Pit car park Higher Poynton SJ945833 Post code SK12 1TH. The car park is pay and display £3 for the day. Roadside parking is available on Green Lane at the cross roads by the Boars Head pub.

Directions to start:

On Sunday 17th March Park Lane Poynton will be closed due to a 5K run. Alternative route to the start:-

From Wilmslow travel to Adlington cross roads and after passing Adlington Hall continue straight on down Brookledge Lane. At the end turn left onto Shrigley Road. Travel for over 2 miles, crossing over the canal. At the T junction turn left onto Coppice Road and almost immediately right onto Green Lane. At the end of Green Lane turn right and the car park is on the left. There may be parking spaces on Green Lane.

Walk details

After a short distance along the canal we walk by Ladybrook through woods and meadows linking Macclesfield canal to Lyme Park estate. We ascend to the Cage tower, go through the wood on the Gritstone trail and take the undulating track across Park Moor. After passing Keepers Cottage we head for Birchencliff Farm, across tracks and fields to the canal bridge. A short stretch along the canal takes us back to the car park. 

Outline: A figure-of-eight circuit that includes Mam Tor, Lose Hill and the top of Winnats Pass. This route is unusual as it never descends into the valley floor, it stays at a high level throughout. So it avoids the wet and muddy fields of the Hope Valley. It passes above the famous landslide and beneath the cliff on the south side of Mam Tor. While this is not a long walk it is very dramatic and on a clear day there are extensive views in every direction.

Difficulty: Most of this walk is on good paths.

Start: 10:30hrs at Mam Nick (/Tor) National Trust Car Park, S33 8WA. Lat/Long 53.345823,-1.815675 OS map OL1. Grid Reference SK 12367 83300.

Parking: Mam Nick (/Tor) National Trust Car Park. Free for NT members or PayByPhone mobile app. There is also roadside lay-by parking just East of the car park.

Route: Mam Nick Car Park, Mam Tor524m, Hollins Cross, Barker Bank 425m, Back Tor 437m, Lose Hill 481m, Blue John Cavern, Treak Cliff, Winnats Pass, Winnats Head Farm, Mam Nick Car Park.

Outdooractive route details and map

The walk starts at 10.00am form the car park on Adlington Road, Bollington - opposite the recreation field. Post Code SK10 5JT

NB Please be aware that you cannot access this car park from the Main Street in Bollington owing to road closure on the bridge. It has been closed for some time and my informant in Bollington tells me that there is no date for reopening. 

Instead, head for Adlington and at the crossroads with the Macclesfield/Poynton road, turn on to Brookledge Lane ( straight across if coming from Wilmslow). After 1 mile, cross over the canal and turn immediately right on to Sugar Lane. Continue on this road, ignoring the “Road Closed Ahead” signs. This will bring you to the car park.

This is a lovely undulating walk (yes, up & down) some of it on mud free roads, pavements and lanes. There should be some good views but I couldn’t see much (apart from new-born lambs) when I did the recce! Obviously, be prepared for some muddy bits but it was generally not at all bad considering some conditions lately. Allow about 4 hours 

Start of walk: the walk starts at 10am from Gradbach free carpark, ref SJ998662, postcode SK17 OSU (approx location only).

Directions to start: From Silk Road in Macclesfield, turn left onto Byrons Lane (which becomes Hollins Lane), go through Sutton, then left onto A54 and then sharp right at Rose & Crown pub; follow road for 2 miles and then very sharp right (I had to do a slight reverse  in order to get round bend) at Gradbach itself and the carpark is 0.3 miles on the right. It took me about 35 minutes from Wilmslow. I can give 3 people lifts.

Walk Description: from the carpark we take the Dane Valley Way, past Wicken Walls, to the outskirts of Flash, we then walk round Wolf Edge and Knotbury to Three Shires Head, then skirt Cut-Thorn Hill, go around Robins Clough to Parks and then back into Gradbach. The paths and tracks are good but can be waterlogged and boggy so poles and gaiters would be helpful. We ascend 333 meters. There are excellents views.

The walk starts at 10am at Etherow Country Park car park, Compstall. Postcode SK6  5JD. All Day parking costs £3.60 at the pay and display machine.

Directions: From Wilmslow head to the A555 Airport Relief Road. At its junction with the A6. Turn left towards Hazel Grove, then right by the Bull's Head pub onto Torkington Road. Continue to T junction with the A626 and turn right towards Marple. At traffic lights in the centre of the village turn left onto Station Road (Texaco garage on the right) . Stay on the A626, signed Glossop, passing Marple Station.  Soon after Marple Bridge village at a  sharp right bend continue straight ahead onto Compstall Road, B6104. Turn right onto George Street and right into the car park. 

Walk description:  We ascend to Werneth Low  from Compstall village along paths, fields and farm tracks to reach Lower Higham Visitor Centre. We then walk a hilly  2.5 mile circuit on good paths around the historic village of Gee Cross before heading for the war memorial on Werneth Low summit. On a clear day the views from here are outstanding. Our descent down to Compstall is mostly on tracks and estate roads that are generally easy underfoot with good views over the Etherow Valley. Poles might be useful for muddy sections! 

Walk starts at 10 .00 from Danebridge Wincle, SK11 0QE with road side parking just beyond the Ship Inn, towards Danebridge.

Directions to start: go to Macclesfield and head south on past Arighi Bianchi, turn left on to Byrons Lane, bearing right on to Hall Lane and Hollin Lane, past Ryles Arms, joining A54 and almost immediately right to Winlce and downhill to Dane Bridge.

The walk follows the River Dane, then crossing the river and then along paths up towards the Roaches , to Ludds Church, downhill back to the River Dane  then follows the river back to Dane Bridge.

Note that the path through Ludds Church is damp most of the time and can be slippery.

The walk will start at 10am from Trentabank car park Macclesfield Forest. SK11 ONS

There is normally enough road side parking, if not please use the car park, a small fee will be required.

Secure in the knowledge we have started many walks from this carpark we didn't think it necessary to give step by step directions, however, should anyone require directions please contact Carol directly.

Walk Description:

Leaving the carpark we walk along the forest paved track fairly steeply towards Shutlingsloe.

Due to atrocious weather conditions on our recce we took the well defined path that goes underneath Shutlingsloe.

An option will be given on the day depending upon the weather.

We then drop down to the shelter of Wildboarclough. From here the path hugs the side of the hill offering easy walking. A gentle climb up to Oaken Clough follows before dropping down to the Hanging Gate Inn.

We then follow the Gritstone Trail back to the start.

Poles are recommended and please be prepared for paths of mud. 

The walk starts at 10am from Peak Forest village.

Parking is roadside in Peak Forest village. On entering the village turn left near the traffic lights on to a minor road and park near the small church. Approximate Post code SK17 8EJ (this the post code of the Devonshire Arms pub).

Directions to start:  Join A555 airport relief road and then on to A6 past Chapel en the Frith after about 1 mile leave the roundabout at the first exit A623 to Sparrow Pit and then Peak Forest.  

Walk:  The walk crosses fields from Peak Forest village towards the car park below Mam Torr. We then climb up on to Rushup Edge, walk westwards until the track meets the road, then cross fields to Sparrow Pit and return to the start. The walk is about 9 miles with the two ascents one up Eldon Hill and the other up on to Rushup Edge.

NOTE:  nearer the time I will suggest a meet and greet from the Heald Green Park and Ride.

The walk starts at 10am from the main car park on The Street beside the twin reservoirs Errwood and Fernilee, opposite the sailing club.  Post code SK17 6GJ.  There are alternative ways to get there, depending on where you start from and how much you dislike driving on single track roads.

NB the post code covers a wide area and can be misleading. Please use the directions below.

Either:  Take the A523 and turn towards Adlington on Brookledge Lane.  After 1.6 miles go right onto Shrigley Road.  After 0.8 miles go left onto Bakestonedale Road.  After 2.2 miles go left on the B5470 to Kettleshulme.  On the outskirts of Kettleshulme take a sharp right onto Side End Lane.  After 2 miles go left on Embridge Causeway which becomes The Street.  You come to the reservoirs after 1.3 miles and the parking is on the right immediately after having turned right. 

Alternatively (probably longer, but easier roads) take the A6 to the turning for Whaley Bridge.  At the Whaley Bridge roundabout take the A5004 towards Buxton.  After 6 miles take a sharp right onto Goyt's Lane.  The reservoirs are after 1.6 miles.  Cross the causeway between the reservoirs and turn left and then immediately right into the carpark.

The carpark is free but there are no facilities.  Please note, there are two car parks on this side of Fernilee Reservoir. The one we are meeting at is nearest the junction with The Street and the causeway between the 2 reservoirs.

We walk along the west bank of Fernilee Reservoir, then beside the River Goyt to Taxal. (There are loos in the churchyard at Taxal.) From Taxal we climb fairly steeply up to Taxal Edge and on to Windgather Rocks and Cats Tor.  From Cat's Tor we drop steeply down on a rocky path towards the ruins of Errwood Hall and hence back to the car park. 

PLEASE NOTE:  The path back down to Errwood Reservoir is steep and stony, so you may find a pole(s) useful.