Walks

The walk starts at 10am at the parking spaces on the road alongside Ridgegate Reservoir, just beyond the Leather’s Smithy pub post code SK11 0NE.

Directions to the start:  own route to Macclesfield follow road past Arighi Bianchi. After about a mile turn left on to Byrons Lane, keep on the road past Old Kings Head, bear left towards Langley. Drive through Langley on to Clark Lane until you reach the Leather’s Smithy.

The walk ascends along the edge of Macclesfield Forest and across fields to Walker Barn part following  a path used by Marjorie in the snow last winter. The walk then follows paths towards Rainow, returning to Teggs Nose via an ascent on Bull Hill Lane, then downhill and along Teggsnose and Bottoms Reservoirs 

A Circuit from Hayfield to Lantern Pike via the mill at Little Hayfield, returning via the Sett Valley Trail. This route provides extensive views East towards the Peak District and over the Sett Valley to the South.

Difficulty: Some steep ascent up to the summit but the route is mostly on very good paths and tracks. In wet weather it will be muddy and gaiters should be considered.

Start: 10:30hrs at the Set Valley Trail Car Park Hayfield, High Peak, SK22 2ES. Lat/Long 53.378988,-1.947422. OS Explorer Map OL1 The Peak district, Dark Peak Area, OL1 OS Grid Ref SK 03595 86905. This car park currently only takes coins, no notes, does not take any cards nor payment via any  smartphone app. There is some free roadside parking  on Wood Lane just to the north, accessed via driving past the car park entrance on Station Road which turns into Wood Lane in 100 metres.

Route: Set Valley Trail Car Park Hayfield, Calico Trail, Hey Wood, Peak District Boundary Walk, Lantern Pike 373m, Wethercotes, Feeding Hey, Briargrove Road, Blake Hall, Cobster Cottage, Watford Lodge Nature Reserve, Sett Valley Trail, Set Valley Trail Car Park Hayfield

Refreshments: A variety of refreshments may be available at the Sett Valley Cafe  located a mile from the end of this route.

Outdooractive Route and map

The walk starts at Lindow Common Car Park at 10am. It follows the route of the Loop on a leaflet as issued by Discover Lindow.

Directions to start:  from the centre of Wilmslow follow the road to the Airport Tunnels for about 1 mile and turn left just before Hickory’s Smokehouse and left into the carpark. Post code SK9 5LW.

The walk is easy with a few gentle ascents. It goes towards Mobberley reaching the Plough and Flail and returns via Lindow Moss.

I will mention the descriptions on the leaflet as we walk round the loop.

The walk is easy in terms of length but of moderate difficulty.  Leaving Clough House car park we walk across the moors to Three Shire Heads then along the Dane River valley to the Whetstone Ridge and return down Cumberland Brook. The section of the route along the Dane Valley is likely to be very wet and muddy, there is a short steep uphill section to the road and a steep descent down Cumberland Brook. The moors are also pretty wet underfoot, all the streams are overflowing and any duck boards are very slippery. Gaiters and poles are advised. 6.5 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.

Start of walk: Radnor Woods car park. Alderley Park.

Off Congleton Road B5087

Post code: SK10 4TW (290m away)

Grid reference: SJ 845 759

The car park is £1 an hour, maximum of £5 payable by card only on exit.

Directions to the start: Its possibly easier to avoid the Alderley Edge Bypass and drive through Alderley Edge Village, continuing on the B5087 Congleton Road, passing the N.T.Nether Alderley Mill on your left. Turn right at the next set of traffic light. Pass the security cabin and turn immediately left to the car park.

Walk Description:

This is a longer version of the cancelled Christmas Lunch Walk.

From the car park we will walk to towards the Churchill Pub, visit the Water Gardens before entering A.P. woodlands, Hocker Lane, Finlow Hill, Artists Lane, through lovely  woodland then dropping down to Congleton Road. Crossing over we walk through pastures to Welsh Row, Nether Alderley Church and returning back to Radnor Car park. 

This is a fairly easy walk, just over 7 miles with a total ascent of 800 feet.

Meet at 10 a.m. at Jacksons Brickworks car park SK12 1TY.

To reach the start go to Poynton, along Park Lane. At Y junction take the left turn on to Middlewood Road, past Davenport Golf Club, continue left at next junction and finally take right turn in to Pool House Road. The free car park is at the end of this road.

Walk details:

We go along the Ladybrook Valley Trail to Parkgate, up past Bollinhurst Reservoir, then turn west into Lyme Park, past Windgather House to the canal, then a short stretch along the Middlewood Way back to the car park.

The walk starts at 10am from Brabyns Park car park in Marple Bridge. Postcode SK6 5DT brings you to the left turn to the car park off the A626.

Directions:  Make your way to Marple. In the centre of Marple at traffic lights by the Texaco filling station bear left (if coming from Stockport direction) onto Station Road, A626, signed Glossop. Continue for over half a mile, passing Marple Station before taking a left turn to the car park by the " Welcome to Brabyns Park" sign, just before Marple Bridge village. ( NB not Brabyns Brow car park on the right) . Follow the road round to the free car park. 

Walk details: This scenic walk follows a series of waterways mainly on easy pathways. From Brabyns Park we follow the Peak Forest Canal passing  locks. On reaching  the highest  aqueduct in England we head down steps  to pass under the arches of the aqueduct and railway viaduct. We then head for Watermeetings Farm on the edge of Romiley and continue to Etherow Park. We cross the country park ( toilets at the Visitor Centre) and continue up to the Keg Woodland and to the Keg Pool. Leaving Etherow we return along the River Goyt to the starting point. 

Outline: A walk from Monsal Head down into the southern end of Mondal Dale, then over to Sheldon and Magpie Mine, returning via the sheep dipping bridge at Ashford in the Water.

Difficulty: A long stroll with short steep ascents and descents.

Walk start: 10:30hrs at Monsal Head car park, Ashford in the Water, Bakewell, DE45 1NL. Lat/Long  53.240094, -1.724999. OS map OL24 Grid Ref SK 18450 71487.

Route: Monsal Head car park, Monsal Dale, Weir, Lees Bottom, Sheldon, Magpie Mine, Sheldon, Cock and Pullet,  Monsal Head car park.

Refreshments: Refreshments may be available at The Cock and Pullet in Sheldon as well as the Stables Bar at Monsal Head.

Outdooractive route details and map

Details to follow

Details to follow

The walk will start 10am from Chinley Independent Church car park

The Wash Chapel Milton. SK23 OQN

Directions to the start: From Wilmslow take the A34 and join the A555 link road.

Follow the A555 to the end turning right onto the A6. Continue to the dual carriageway turning right A624 with the Fickle Mermaid pub on the right.

At the next roundabout take the third exit remaining on the A624.

Follow the road under the first railway bridge, as you approach the second bridge turning right onto sharp right, very small sign, The Wash.

Turn right into Chinley Independent Church and park at the back on the left.

Walk Description: Leaving the hamlet behind we start a steady gradual climb up to Shire Oaks and turn onto the Pennine Bridal Way. Malcoff, Bolehole Clough, Bagshaw and Bowdon, finally returning to the Wash.

Hopefully we will be rewarded with wonderful views.

The walk starts at 10am at Arley Hall car park.  Postcode CW9 6NA. 

Arley operates an ' honesty system" for the car park.  A £3 fee can be paid in the shop, which is a considerable distance from the car park.  I was told that walkers frequently go to the cafe after their walk  but there are  no checks on the car park. 

Directions: Arley Hall & Gardens are well signed from the A556 and from the turn off it onto the B5391. 

Some satnavs stop short of the car park and you will need to continue along the lane for just over a mile to reach it on the right.

Other satnavs may ignore some brown signs to Arley and take you on  a longer route along country lanes to the car park.

I recommend following the brown signs all the way! 

Walk details:  This is a lovely walk in the Cheshire countryside. We walk across pastures and along lanes from the Arley Hall Estate to Pickmere. The route continues round the picturesque mere before heading to the attractive village of Great Budworth,.with one of the county's finest churches. We'll have lunch on benches in the churchyard before following the North Cheshire Way across fields and quiet lanes back to Arley. The.paths are mainly good and the height gain on the walk is only 70 metres.  Inevitably, there may be a few muddy patches.

Outline: A classic loop from Bowden Bridge near Hayfield to Mount Famine, South Head and Kinder Low.

Walk start: 10:30hrs at Bowden Bridge car park, 165 Kinder Rd, High Peak, SK22 2LH. Grid Reference SK 04867 86950.  OS map OL1. Lat.,Long. 53.379209,-1.928318

Route: Bowden Bridge Car Park, Mount Famine, South Head, Edale Rocks, Kinder Low, Kinderlowe End, Tunstead Clough Farm, Bowden Bridge Car Park.

Outdooractive route plan and map

Details to follow

Details to follow

Outline: A high circuit that visits Alphin Pike, Chew Reservoir and Great Dove Stones Rocks. The route provides magnificent views over the Dovestone Reservoir and to the west over Greater Manchester.

Difficulty: A long stroll with short steep ascents and descents. Some paths may be muddy.

Walk start: 10:30hrs at Dovestone Reservoir Car Park, Greenfield, Oldham, OL3 7NE. Lat/Long 53.527766, -1.981176. OS map OL1. Grid Ref: SE 01335 03477. 

Route: Dovestone Reservoir Car Park, Intake Lane, White Lee, Greave, Alphin Pike 469m, Chew Hurdles, Chew Reservoir, Bramley's Cot, Great Dove Stones Rocks, Dean Rocks, Sunny Brow, Footbridge, Dovestone Reservoir Car Park.

Outdooractive route details and map

Poor weather alternative: Starts at the same time and place as the original route. A low anti-clockwise circuit of Dovestone, Yeoman Hey and Greenfield Reservoirs.

 Outdooractive route details and map