Archive 2019

Meet at Lindow Common Car Park at 09:30. The quickest route to Macclesfield Forest is probably probably to go south on the A34, then east on the A37, south through Macclesfield on the A523 and then take Byrons Lane, Jarman Road, Langley Road, Main Road and Clark Lane through Langley to the Leather's Smithy pub and Standing Stone Road.

We will park along Standing Stone Road next to the Ridgegate Reservoir where there is a long stretch of free parking, as close to the Leather's Smithy pub as possible. For those joining us directly I propose we start our walk from the benches by the Leather's Smithy pub road junction (SJ 953 716) at 10:15.

Our route: Along the Western dam edge of Ridgegate Reservoir to the bridle path that traverses near the southern edge of Macclesfield forest above Nessit Hill, and from there to Shutlingsloe. From Shutlingsloe to the Standing Stone car park, St Stephens Church (Forest Chapel), then a traverse north-west above Toot Hill and then back down to the car park.

While walking in Macclesfield Forest provides superb protection from inclement weather Shutlingsloe is generally more like the Matterhorn - cold, windy and with an outstanding view.

Outline: A stroll along the Monsal trail From Monsal head to Miller's Dale through the old railway tunnels, returning back via Tideswell Dale and the River Wye valley.

Walk start: Monsal Head car park, Ashford in the Water, Bakewell, DE45 1NL. Grid Reference SK 18494 71505. OS map OL24.

Directions: Meet at Lindow Common Car Park at 09:30. Turn right onto Racecourse Rd. Turn right onto Altrincham Rd/A538. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit and stay on A538. 

At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto MacLean Way/A34. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Storeys Way/Wilmslow - Handforth Bypass/A34. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A555 slip road to Poynton/Bramhall. Merge onto Manchester Airport Eastern Link Rd/A555. Turn right onto A6. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit and stay on A6. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on A6. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto A623. Turn right onto B6465. Monsal Head car park is on the right. 54 min / 30.3 miles.

Route: Monsal Head car park, Headstone viaduct, Litton tunnel, Miller's Dale viaduct, Millers Dale, Meadow Lane, Tideswell Dale car park, Tideaswell Dale, Litton Mill, Cressbrooke Dale, Water-cum-Jolly Dale, Brushfield Lane, Monsal Head car park.

Viewranger website: https://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MjI5NTE0Ng==

Viewranger app shortcode: SJDMD0001

Outline: A circuit that visits Alphin Pike, Chew reservoir and Dovestone Edge.

Walk start: Dovestone reservoir car park, Greenfield, Oldham, OL3 7NE. Grid Reference SE 01350 03433.  OS map OL1.

Directions: Meet at Lindow Common Car Park at 09:30. Turn right at Racecourse Rd. Turn left onto Altrincham Rd/A538. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Wilmslow Rd/A538. At Hale Four Seasons Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the M56 slip road to Manchester/M'cr Airport. Merge onto M56. Keep left at the fork to stay on M56. Merge onto M60. At junction 23, exit onto A6140 towards Ashton-u-Lyne. Merge onto A6140. Use the right 2 lanes to turn right onto Manchester Rd/A635. Use the right 2 lanes to turn slightly right onto Park Parade/A635. Keep right to stay on Park Parade/A635. Slight left onto Wakefield Rd/A635. Slight right onto Bank Ln. Dovestone reservoir car park is on the left.

Route:  Dovestone reservoir car park, Intake Lane, Alphin Pike, Chew reservoir, Rabs Rocks, Dovestones Edge, Dovestone Reservoir car park.

Viewranger website: https://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MjI5NTIzNg==

Viewranger app shortcode: SJDMD0004

Outline: A surprisingly remote walk from Torside reservoir to Clough Edge and Rhodeswood Reservoir. Though only a short distance and a small height gain this hike should not be underestimated. The first half of this route involves much desperate fighting through sheep trails in knee-high heather and a steep descent to a stream. The struggles are rewarded by lunch at a secluded pool, followed by a gentle stroll downhill along the Pennine Way and the very flat Trans Pennine Trail.

Walk start: Torside car park, B6105, Glossop SK13 1JF. Grid Reference SK 06781 98368. OS map OL1.

Directions: Meet at Lindow Common Car Park at 09:30. Turn right at Racecourse Rd. Turn left onto Altrincham Rd/A538. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Wilmslow Rd/A538. At Hale Four Seasons Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto the M56 slip road to Manchester/M'cr Airport. Merge onto M56. Keep left at the fork to stay on M56. Merge onto M60. At junction 24, Use the left lane to take the A57 exit to M67/M'cr City Centre/Denton/Hyde/Sheffield. At Denton Island, take the 3rd exit onto M67 heading to Hyde/Barnsley/Sheffield. Keep right to stay on M67. At Hattersley Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Hyde Rd/A57. Turn right onto Woolley Ln/A57. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Woolley Bridge Rd. Slight left onto 68/NCN 62/Woolley Bridge Rd. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on 68/NCN 62/Woolley Bridge Rd. At the roundabout, continue straight onto Bankbottom. Continue onto Brosscroft. Turn right onto Padfield Main Rd. Turn left onto Woodhead Rd/B6105. Torside car park is on the right. 43 min / 26.5 miles.

Route: Torside car park, Wildboar Clough woods, Long Gutter Edge, Clough Edge, Rhodeswood Reservoir, Torside car park.

Viewranger website: https://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MjI5NTI2Nw==

Viewranger app shortcode: SJDMD0006

Outline: A classic route up the steep Kinderlow End onto the plateau, along past Kinder downfall and down from Sandy Heys to the reservoir.

Walk start: Bowden Bridge car park, 165 Kinder Rd, High Peak, SK22 2LH. Grid Reference SK 04867 86950.  OS map OL1.

Directions: Meet at Lindow Common Car Park at 09:30. Turn right onto Racecourse Rd. Turn right onto Altrincham Rd/A538. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit and stay on A538. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto MacLean Way/A34. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Storeys Way/Wilmslow - Handforth Bypass/A34. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto the A555 slip road to Poynton/Bramhall. Merge onto Manchester Airport Eastern Link Rd/A555. Turn right onto A6. Turn left onto Albion Rd/A6015. Turn right onto Chapel Rd/A624. Turn left onto Church St. Turn right onto Bank St. Continue onto Kinder Rd. Bowden Bridge Car Park is on the right. 39 min / 17.3 miles.

Route: Bowden Bridge car park, Tunstead Clough, Kinderlow End, Kinder Low, Kinder Downfall, Sandy Heys, Kinder reservoir, Bowden Bridge car park.

Viewranger website: https://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MjI5NTE5OQ==

Viewranger app shortcode: SJDMD0002