2023

03/01/2023 Tuesday, Bollington, Bakestonedale, Macclesfield Canal. 7.5 miles, Moderate Leader Donald Henderson

A not too gentle walk to burn off Christmas and New Year excesses!!

The walk starts at 10am at the Recreation Ground car park in Bollington (SK10 5JT). Go through Bollington and turn left at the Dog & Partridge. If you go under the aqueduct, you’ve gone too far! The car park is a couple of hundred yards on the left.  There are toilets there but i’m not sure of opening times.

The first half of the walk is mainly uphill, all on reasonable surfaces, before descending to the Macclesfield canal at the Adlington Basin. We return to Bollington via the towpath, footpaths and quiet lanes.

The Vale Inn might tempt some members for post walk refreshment! 

08/01/2023, Sunday, Taddington & Pomeroy,  8 miles, moderate, Leader Clare Pinder

The walk starts at 10am from free roadside parking on Main Rd, Taddington, grid ref SK141712.

Directions to the start from the A6: turn right into Taddington (there are two RH turns near to each other, take the second marked 'Taddington Village') and park on the LH side after about .3 mile, where the road begins to drop and curve to the left, and before you reach the RH turning to Humphrey Gate.

Details of the walk: we walk out of Taddington past Slough Top, into Chelmorton, passing below Chelmorton Low; we take the Midshires Way to Pomeroy and at the Duke of York pub we head across fields into Flagg and back into Taddington. We keep relatively high up with very expansive views; with total ascent  of 268m (880 ft). The paths across the fields are relatively good as are the tracks. There is one boggy patch so gaiters and poles will be helpful. 


12/01/2023, Thursday, Reddish Vale Country Park, 7 miles, Moderate, Leader Simon Duffy

Outline: A walk along both sides of the River Tame between Reddish Vale Country Park and the East side of Haughton Green in a green belt enclosed on all sides by suburbia. This unusual route passes twice underneath the Reddish Vale Viaduct that dominates the River Tame, over and under the M60 motorway, through three nature reserves and along a section of the Peak Forest Canal. It has areas of noisy asphalt that contrast with areas of quiet pretty woodland. The route has no mountains or majestic views, enjoy it as a slice through post industrial Manchester.

Difficulty: A moderately long stroll with some muddy paths.

Start: 10:30hrs at Reddish Vale Country Park Car Park, Reddish Vale Rd, Stockport SK5 7HE. Lat./Long. 53.437615, -2.144923, OS Grid Ref: SJ 90438 93411. This location is often best approached from the South via Junction 27 on the M60, commonly referred to as the Portwood roundabout.

Route: Reddish Vale Country Park Car Park, Viaduct, M60 motorway footbridge, Far Cromwell Road, Arden Hall, A6017, Turner Lane, Arden footbridge, Lambeth Grove, Riverside Boarding Kennels and Cattery, Peak Forest Canal, Haughton Dale  Nature Reserve, Trans-Pennine Trail, Arden footbridge, Hulmes Wood Nature Reserve, under the M60 motorway, Holt Wood, Reddish Vale Country Park Car Park.

Outdooractive details and route map: https://out.ac/IO3Trx

16/01/2023 Monday.  Circular walk from Woodbank Park via Chadkirk,  7.5 miles,  easy, Leader Angela Legge  

The walk starts at 10am from Woodbank Car Park (free), Little Moor Lane, off Turncroft Lane, Stockport, SK1 4BB. Grid reference: SJ908899

Directions to the start: From Wilmslow head for the A555 Airport Relief Road and continue to the A523 Macclesfield Road Turn left. Continue to the A6. Turn left again, then soon right at lights by the Bull's Head pub onto Torkington Road. At T junction turn left onto the A626 Marple Road. After 2 miles turn right at lights (filter lane) onto Turncroft Lane, then turn right onto Little Moor Lane. Turn right into Palace Close to the car park.

Walk details: This walk is varied and ideal for a Winter's day. It includes Woodbank Hall ( a Grade 2 listed building), the Peak Forest Canal, the Goyt Valley Way, Chadkirk Chapel ( with its walled garden) and views of the iconic Pear Mill, where Peregrine Falcons nest. The paths and tracks are generally good, though some woodland and field paths may be muddy after rain. There is one short, steep ascent from the cricket ground in Offerton.

22/01/2023 Sunday Mersey River Valley 9 miles easy Leader Peter Attwell

Start of Walk:   Walk starts at 10am from car park of the Mersey Valley visitor centre. This is the car park close to the centre which is the building with a steep red roof.

Grid reference SJ807 924    M33 2LX

 

Directions to start:  Go to M60 westbound and leave at Junction 6. Follow the road to the right at the bottom of the ramp and follow signs to Trafford Water Park. At the Sale Water Park tram stop follow the road to the left, ignore the tram car park and you will then see the Mersey Valley centre. There is a toilet in the centre, but opening times are not shown.

 

Distance from Wilmslow 10 miles each way. I will aim to offer a meet and greet from Lindow Common car park leaving there at 09.20am.

 

Description:  The walk is about 9 miles, essentially flat. It follows the route of the Mersey for a large part of the walk and returns through Northenden and Kenworthy Woods. Most of the walk is on hard paths so the mud should not be too bad, apart from near the visitor centre 

25/01/2023 Wednesday Marple, 8.5 miles Easy, Leader Bob Swinburne

The walk starts at 10am from the top of Hawk Green Road, Marple. Parking on roadside. Distance from Wilmslow is approximately12 miles.

Directions to the start: Find your way to the Ring O’Bells pub in Marple (Postcode SK6 7AY). Continue south down Church Lane passing All Saints Church on your left (Postcode SK6 7LD). Church Lane becomes Ridge Road. Look out for Hawk Green Road about 0.5 mile on the right.

Walk details: This is an easy walk with few ascents, none of which are of note. We start our walk with a mesmeric view of the Goyt valley before descending to the towpath of the Peak Forest canal, where we might glimpse a wedge of Canada Geese, a badling of ducks with their fledglings or, if we are lucky a siege of herons


30/01/2023 Monday Chapel en le Frith 7 miles moderate leader Peter Riley

MONDAY, 30 JANUARY 2023,  CHAPEL EN LE FRITH ,     7MILES, 900FT

LEADER:  PETER RILEY  (mob 07974773245)

STARTING POINT   Small car park adjacent to Fickle Mermaid, Foresters Way, Chapel en le Frith ( Next to Aldi)     Post Code:-   SK23 0RB    Grid ref:-   062816

START TIME      Fickle Mermaid  - 10.00am     (Meet n greet, Lindow carpark,  0915hrs)

DIRECTIONS TO START   Take A.6 towards Buxton. Pass through Disley and Newtown. Get onto Whaley Bridge dual carriageway bypass and turn right at roundabout at end of bypass. ( It’s signed ‘Glossop, Chinley and Brake Lining Works’. Turn immediately right (at entrance to Aldi supermarket) and then sharp right to park in small carpark just behind the back of the Fickle Mermaid.

DETAILS OF WALK     Some gradual ups and downs (900ft in total), a bit of mud, a couple of stiles and some scenery -  if the weather’s kind to us. We pass through Breckend, Breakhead, Shireoakes, Stonyford, Bagshaw and Bowden Hall.  Stops for coffee and butties. Back in time for possible drink/meal in the Fickle Mermaid. (Landlord says he’d appreciate some custom.) ( Well that’s going to be my excuse!)


05/02/2023 Sunday Lymm Trans Pennine Trail and Bridgewater canal 8.5 miles Easy Leader Peter Attwell

Walk starts at 10am at Lymm Dam car park WA13 0AS

Directions to the start:   get on to M56 and exit at junction 7, follow signs to Lymm crossing back over motorway to large junction, take first left A56 to Lymm. Follow road to outskirts of Lymm and 1.7m after Lymm sign, turn left into Crouchley Road, sign P Lymm Dam, immediately bear right into free car park.

The walk is flat, going round the lake to the dam, then joining the Transpennine Trail to the boundary with Trafford, crossing fields and minor roads returning on the Bridgewater Canal.

The walk for a large part is on hard surfaces but there are a few muddy parts. Poles are not really needed. Very few stiles.


08/02/2023 Wednesday Gawsworth 6.5 miles easy, Leader Bob Swinburne

The walk starts at 10am on the road between Gawsworth church and the Harrington Arms pub. (Postcode SK11 9RJ)

Directions to the start. From Wilmslow proceed along the Alderley Edge bypass. At the end of the bypass bear right, signposted A34 Congleton/Macclesfield. At the Bengal Tiger Lily restaurant traffic lights, turn left, signposted Gawsworth Hall. Proceed ahead for approximately three miles to the next roundabout and take the third exit, signposted Gawsworth Hall. At the next T junction, turn left and go straight over the main road at the cross roads onto Church Lane. Pass the entrance to Gawsworth Hall and Gawsworth church and park on the road between the church and the Harrington Arms pub.

Details of walk. This is a pleasant stroll through the bucolic Cheshire countryside, with a scarcity of ascents and descents. Throughout most of the walk we are overlooked by the iconic mast of Croker Hill and occasionally we may glimpse dazzling sunlight reflected from Jodrell Bank’s bravura dish.

Our journey takes us through lush pastureland, winding country lanes and along the towpath of the Macclesfield canal, including five of the twelve locks making up the Bosley Flight.

13/02/2023 Monday Rushton Spencer and Bosley Cloud 9 miles moderate leader Marjorie McLoughlin

Start of walk. 

Walk starts at 10am from Staffordshire Countryside old station car park behind the Knot Inn. SJ936625. Post code SK11 0QU

Directions to start 

From Macclesfield take the Leek Road A523. As you enter Rushton Spencer the Knot Inn is signed as a right turn along Station Lane. The free car park is adjacent to the Inn car park. 

Description

The walk takes us along field, woodland and hill paths, back lanes and a short stretch of a busier road. On the recce some paths were very muddy so be prepared. 

19/02/2023 Sunday Macclesfield Forest 8.8mls moderate leader Peter Attwell

This is a walk I have led previously. It is a substitute at short notice for Simon Duffy who is ill. 

The walk starts at 10am in Macclesfield Forest at the parking spaces by Ridgegate Reservoir just past the Leather Smithy pub grid reference SJ953 715. Post code SK11 0NE.

Please make sure you park in the marked bays to avoid any risk of a fine.

Directions to the start: go to Macclesfield, southwards  past Arighi Bianchi on the Leek road. After about a mile, at the traffic lights, bear left towards Langley and Sutton, under canal bridge, keep bearing left through Langley along Clarke Lane to the Leather Smithy.

The walk climbs towards Shutlingsloe, but not over it, down to Ferriser, to Chapel House, Charity Lane to Walker Barn. Here if the weather is bad we go straight back to the cars. Otherwise we cross the Buxton Road to Holdern Farm, join the Gritstone Trail to Teggs Nose, down to the reservoirs and along Clarke Lane to the cars.

22/02/2023 Wednesday, Adlington and Styperson Pool, 6.5 miles, easy/moderate, leader Angela Legge

The walk starts at 10am from the large layby on the A523 near the Legh Arms, Adlington, midway between Poynton and Prestbury. SJ911804. Postcode for the Legh Arms is SK10 4NA.

Directions: Take the A555 Eastern Link Road to the junction with the A523. Turn right and continue to the layby on the left just before the Legh Arms pub. Please park at the far end away from the refreshments van.

Walk details: A varied walk on tracks and through meadows, woods and farms, along the Macclesfield Canal towpath and on quiet roads. There are scenic views towards the hills and we pass Styperson Pool, one of the few lakes in the area, and the picturesque Lyme View Marina at Adlington Basin. The walk is generally easy but some parts can be muddy so poles and gaiters might be useful.

27/02/2023 Monday Jacksons Brickyard Car Park, Bowstones and Lyme Park 9 miles moderate Leader Peter Attwell

Start of walk at 10am is Jacksons Brickyard car park SK12 1TY, grid ref SJ 945844.

 Directions to start: Go to Poynton and along Park Lane past Waitrose on LHS. Where the road splits, take left hand fork Middlewood Road. Continue on this past Anson Road on RHS to Pool House road, turning right at car park sign. Drive short distance along the road into the car park. 

The walk leaves the car park on Ladybrook Valley Interest Trail, over the canal to Parkgate , then to Bollinghurst Bridge, East Lodge and the Bowstones, into Lyme Park, where we will stop at the toilets, out of Lyme Park to the canal, returning via the canal towpath.

NOTE:  originally this walk was to be train to Stockport and walk back.  However the train is now a replacement bus with a long journey time, so I postponed that walk until later in the year.

05/03/2023 Sunday Bunbury 8.5 miles moderate Leader Peter Riley

NOTE LATER WALK START TIME

Meet n Greet Lindow Car Park  (to leave by 9.25am) 

Start of Walk  St Boniface Church, Bunbury    Walk Start Time  10.30am 

                           Post Code   CW6 9PJ         Grid Ref   SD 569 581 Explorer  257 

                            Travel Time  50mins from Wilmslow                Distance  34 mls 

Directions to Start    Take M.56 and exit at junction 10 onto A.49 direction Whitchurch.  Follow A.49 for approx 20 miles and just after Tarporley - where the A.49 turns right at the TL’s -  go straight across onto the A.50. Come into Alpraham,  pass the Traveller’s Rest on the right and, after 200yds,  TR onto Bunbury Road. Travel 1 mile into Bunbury village and park in lay-by just prior to the lovely old church of St Boniface. 

Details of Walk     Mainly fields and pathways  - past  Peckforton Mere then  towards Beeston Castle and coffee. Over to the Shropshire Union canal and Tilston Lock for lunch. Then back via Bunbury Locks and Bunbury Water Mill and finally  - last but not least - the chance of  a pint in the Dysart Arms!  What more could you ask! 

The walk is basically flat and easy with total combined ascent of only about 350ft. Unless there’s a strong demand on the day we’ll  conserve  energy and not be climbing over Peckforton Hill.    

Leader   Peter Riley


08/03/2023 Wednesday Baslow Edge and Chatsworth Estate, 7.5 miles Moderate. Leaders Maire Casey and Kate Stross

The walk starts at 10.30am from the Curbar Gap National Trust car park, S32 3YR.  Parking there costs (I think) £5 all day or you can leave your National Trust card on the dashboard.  To get to the carpark, take the A623 through Stoney Middleton and into Calver.  Go straight at the traffic lights where the A625 crosses the A623 then drive through Calver and take the next left turn crossing the River Derwent.  From this road turn left up Curbar Lane,  this goes through Curbar village and up the hill, it becomes Bar Road and then Clodhall Lane.  The car park is on the left about 1.2 miles from where you turn onto Curbar Lane and there is a bit of free parking along the road before the carpark.  No loos at the car park I am afraid.

The walk:  We walk along Baslow Edge then down a path and into Baslow.  There are loos in the car park in Baslow which serves visitors to the Chatsworth Estate.  We enter the estate and, if they are still there, may look at the Burning Man sculptures which have been erected in the park.  Then cross the park, climbing to a path at the top of the slope.  From there we walk along Dobbs Edge, down to Robin Hood and then a gentle climb up to Gardom's Edge following the edge back towards where we started.  We may meet some of the gorgeous highland cattle which graze in the area.  We pass the Wellington monument and then turn back towards the Curbar Gap car park.    Most of the climbs are gentle, but this is a lovely varied walk. with great views if the weather is good.

NOTE 1 late start as the starting point is the other side of the Peak District


13/03/2023 Monday Sponds Hill from Bollington, 8.5 miles, moderate, leader Angela Legge

The walk starts at 10am from the Adlington Road Bollington car park. 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 and continue round to the car park on the left. 

Walk description: Rising out of Bollington on country paths and lanes we reach open moorland.  A steady walk up to Sponds Hill at over 1,300 feet (396 metres) gives views all round across Manchester, Cheshire, the Peak District and beyond. From here the walk descends to pick up the Macclesfield Canal near Pott Shrigley and back to Bollington.

19/03/2023 Sunday Redesmere, Siddington and Capesthorne, 7 miles Easy Leader Marjorie McLoughlin

The walk starts at 10am on Redesmere Road by Redesmere SJ 849713   Post code SK11 9PR

Directions

From Wilmslow take the A34 by pass towards Congleton. At Monks Heath Cross roads continue on A34 for 2 miles. Turn left onto Redesmere Road, signed Henbury. Park at the roadside at the far end of the lake.

Walk details

An easy walk through farmland and farms along footpaths and tracks. The route is Hazelwall Farm,Henshaw Hall Farm,Crabtree Moss Farm,Sandbank Farm, Turlock Farm,Siddington,Blake House Farm,Capesthorne Hall,Redesmere.

23/03/2023, Thursday, Lathkill Dale, 8 miles, moderate, leader Simon Duffy

Outline: An exploration of the beautiful LathKill Dale, followed by a traverse through farmland to the River Bradford and the picturesque village of Youlgrave. From Youlgrave we walk past the famous fishing weirs in the Lathkill Dale valley back to our stating point in Over Haddon.

Difficulty: A moderate stroll with some slippery rock and muddy paths.

Start: 10:30hrs at Over Haddon Car Park, 8 Monyash Rd, Over Haddon, Bakewell DE45 1HZ. Lat/Long 53.194759, -1.696959. OS Map OL 24, OS Grid Ref SK 20288 66427

Route:  Over Haddon Car Park, Lathkill Dale, Palmerston Wood, Weir and Footbridge, Limestone Way, Calling Low, Lomberdale Hall, Weir, River bradford, Youlgrave Village, Aniscroft Farm, Conksbury Bridge, Weirs, Over Haddon Car Park.

Refreshments: The Peak Feast bakery in Youlgrave may be open for tea and cakes.

Naming convention: The Highways Agency usees ‘Youlgrave’ on a number of different local signposts throughout the area. Most locals also use ‘Youlgrave’, although the official name on Ordnance Survey maps is ‘Youlgreave’.

Outdooractive details and route map: https://out.ac/ICnKkt 

27/03/2023, Monday, From Poynton Pool 8 miles easy/moderate, Leader Lynn Davies

Start 10.00 from car park South Park Drive Poynton. Approx postcodeSK12 1BS. Map 268SJ922840

Directions to start. Take airport relief road towards Buxton, then turn right towards Macclesfied Pass Brookside Garden Centre then turn left into South Park Drive opposite pub on the right Car Park is on the left shortly after turn.

The walk takes us through Norbury Hollow and Ladybrook Valley, along canal for a short way and then up towards Lyme Park,coming back through nature reserve.

It is likely to be very muddy in places SORRY! 

02/04/2023 Sunday, Alderley Edge 7 miles moderate Donald Henderson

THIS walk replaces that being led by Clare, who is unwell.

The walk starts at 10am from the National trust car park near the Wizard. It goes round the Edge and surrounding area. The car park is pay and display but free for NT members

If anyone needs directions to the NT car park, please let me know.

11/04/2023 Tuesday Eccleston to Chester 9 miles moderate but flat Leader Peter Riley 

Meet , Greet and Car Share: 9.00am Lindow Common Car Park, Wilmslow

Walk Start Point : Eccleston Ferry Car Park Grid ref: SJ414622 Nearest Postcode: CH4 9HP

Walk Start Time : 10.00am (Travel time from Wilmslow 45 minutes)

Directions to Start Take your preferred route onto the M 56 westbound and come off at Jn 15 onto M53 following direction ‘ Wrexham’ . Continue straight ahead for approx 8 miles (merging into A 55) and come off at Jn 38 onto the A483 direction ‘Wrexham’. After 0.3 mile turn left onto A.5445 then immediately left onto Rake Lane direction Eccleston. Travel 1.5 mile into Eccleston village and, at off-set crossroads, turn right into Paddock Road. After 100 yds turn left into un-named road leading down to car-park next to river.

ADDITIONAL DIRECTIONS FROM PETER RILEY:

When you get into Eccleston Village, if you use CH4 9HP, it will turn you left. Instead you must turn right.

A better code is CH4 9JE - but make sure that, after you've turned right in Eccleston, you then turn left after 100yards. Otherwise you'll end up going into Eaton Hall.


Details of Walk:   Walk starts on the riverside next to the Duke of Westminster’s estate at Eaton Hall from where we heads off towards Chester. We’ll cross the footbridge into the city centre, walk around the city along the route of the old city walls pausing at a few of the city’s many historical sites and points of interest. We’ll return via the former Old Duke’s carriageway, the River Dee and the pretty estate village of Eccleston.

The walk is flat but there may be some mud along the riverside if there’s been recent rain.

Walk leader – Peter Riley . 


16/04/2023 Sunday Sponds Hill from Bollington, 8.5 miles, moderate, leader Angela Legge

This is the walk listed for Monday 13 March, which was postponed by the group of walkers due to the weather conditions.

The walk starts at 10am from the Adlington Road Bollington car park. 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 and continue round to the car park on the left. 

Walk description: Rising out of Bollington on country paths and lanes we reach open moorland.  A steady walk up to Sponds Hill at over 1,300 feet (396 metres) gives views all round across Manchester, Cheshire, the Peak District and beyond. From here the walk descends to pick up the Macclesfield Canal near Pott Shrigley and back to Bollington.

20/04/2023 Thursday, Alphin Pike and Great Dove Stone Rocks, 8 miles, moderate, leader Simon Duffy

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 details and route map: https://out.ac/IFbGoT

24/04/2023 Monday Chinley, Cracken Edge, Peep'o Day South Head 8.5 mls moderate leader Peter Attwell

The walk starts at 10am in the village of Chinley, best post code I could find is SK23 6DE.

Directions to the start:   Take A555 airport link road eastwards to the end, turn right on to A6 and go through Disley.  After Furness Vale, look for the sharp left hand turn back on yourself to Buxworth and Chinley. Go through Buxworth and into Chinly on Lower Lane. Ignore the railway signs. Go to the end of the road past some shops and follow the road round to the left, becoming Green Lane. Follow this for a couple of hundred metres and where is bears right keep straight on over the railway bridge. You will see the war memorial. At the end of the bridge turn immediately left and park on the road by the railway embankment wall.

The route climbs steeply up to Cracken Edge to a high level path, avoiding the eroded section, turning right along the Edge, dropping down to Peep O’Day, then to Mount Famine, a climb to the top of South Head, turning right to return to Chinley via Shireoaks, Wash and Chapel Milton.

In bad weather the route can be altered to reduce and avoid the major ascents. Poles are useful during the first ascent and the return path can be muddy.

30/04/2023 Sunday Under Eccles Pike, 8 miles, moderate, Leaders Lynn Davies + Carol McLaughlin 

The walk starts at 10am from the top end of Tesco’s carpark, Bridgemont, Whaley Bridge SK23 7PB 


Directions from Wilmslow: Take the A555 airport relief road towards Buxton turning right on to the A6. At the roundabout take the second exit towards Whaley Bridge, turn left into Tesco’s superstore, park at the far end near to the canal.


Walk Description: A short walk along the canal to Buxworth before we begin to steadily climb through open pastures on good tracks towards Eccles Pike. We take the path that goes underneath Eccles Pike with lovely views across the valley to Chinley Churn and  Cracken Edge. We then take a path towards Combs Reservoir, turning right we continue through pastures now on the opposite side of Eccles Pike. Crossing the road at Tunstead Milton we follow the railway towards Taxal.  Dropping down through the new housing estate. Todd Brook Reservoir follows before Whaley Bridge then returning to the cars. 

04/05/2023 Thursday Earl Sterndale 8 miles moderate Leader Clare Pinder

The walk starts at 10am from the free layby as you come into Earl Sterndale, OS ref:089679. SK17 0BU is the postcode of the pub The Quiet Women (unfortunately now closed) approx 50 yards further up, on the right. If there is insufficient parking on the layby, there is plenty of free parking around the village green, opposite the aforementioned pub.

Directions to the start: taking Grin Low Road for 3.2 miles, at the High Peak Bookshop turn right onto Buxton Rd, B5053, for 1.6 miles, then turn left into the village of Earl Sterndale, and the layby is on the left where the first houses begin.

Details of the walk: the walk goes around the hills Chrome and Parkhouse but not over them.We walk down Dowel Dale, along the boundary of Hillhead Quarry, over High Edge, past Booth Farm, over the old rovers bridge, along Hollinsclough Rake to Hollinsclough, we skirt the foot of Parkhouse Hill, up Hitter Hill back to Earl Sterndale. There are some boggy patches. We take some minor roads/tracks and the paths are otherwise relatively good.Hopefully the honesty shop at Hollinsclough will be open.

I can give 3 people lifts (text me).


10/05/2023 Wednesday, Grindsbrook Clough and Ringing Roger, 6 miles, 362m ascent, hard, leader Simon Duffy

Outline: A classic loop walk from Edale that goes up the Grindsbrook Clough valley and takes in Ringing Rodger. This rocky route provides magnificent and extensive views over the Edale Valley and beyond. Some steep sections on rock require the use of hands. It is ideal when a strong westerly wind is blowing as the ascent is very well protected.

Walk start: 10:30hrs at Edale Village Hall Car Park, Edale, Hope Valley, Derbyshire, S33 7ZQ. Google Maps Lat/Long 53.364577,-1.814714. OS map The Peak District - Dark Peak OL1, Grid Reference SK 12399 85334

Route: Edale Village Hall Car Park, Grindsbrook Clough, Fox Holes, Upper Tor, Nether Tor, Ringing Roger, The Nab, Ollerbrook Clough, Ollerbrook Farm, Edale Village, Edale Village Hall Car Park..

Outdooractive route and map: https://out.ac/IJtcvr

14/05/2023 Sunday Wildboarclough and Cat and Fiddle 9 miles moderate leader Peter Attwell

Start of walk at 10am: Clough House car park, Wildboarclough grid reference SJ 9874 6996. post code SK11 0BD

Direction so start:  go to Macclesfield and turn left at Arighi Bianchi on Buxton Road. Go towards Buxton and shortly after Walker Barn, bear right on old road for about 1.5 miles, turn right at Stanley Arms to Wildboarclough. Continue for about 1.5 miles and turn left into car park.

The walk goes parallel to the road and then up the road by Crag Hall, over the moors to Three Shire Heads, to Orchard Common, over the moors to Dane Head, over Axe Edge Moor, crossing the Buxton Road to the old road out of Buxton, Derbyshire Bridge (toilets), to Cat and Fiddle, over the moor to Cumberland Brook, to the car park. Time about 5 hours.

The path to Cumberland Brook is a short section steep downhill. Otherwise there are no steep parts.


18/05/2023 Thursday Buxton and around HSE lab site 9 miles moderate Leader Peter Attwell

Start of walk:  At 10am  Grin Low Parking area, Buxton. Post code SK17 6UJ Grid reference SK 0499 720

Directions to start:   Make your own way to Macclesfield, turn left at Arighi Bianchi, follow road over Cat and Fiddle. At outskirts of Buxton, turn right on to Leek road and almost immediately on to Grin Low Road. After 200 yards turn left towards caravan park and then bear right into parking area by the toilets.

Description of walk:   We walk towards Solomons Temple but before we reach it we head downhill through High Plantation and circle right to return to Grin Low Road. We cross the road and head into grounds of HSE laboratory, towards Turncliff and Fairthorn and then up to the Leek Road. We cross the road climb past Dane Head up to Axe Edge Moor, reaching the Cat and Fiddle Road turning left and returning to Grin Low.

Note:  the grounds of HSE Laboratory can be very wet and boggy so gaiters could be useful.

22/05/2023 Monday,  Boothsdale, 8 miles, moderate, leader Bob Swinburne 

The walk starts at 10am from Cresty’s Waste car park near Kelsall. CW6 0SP.

Directions to start: Take the A556 towards Chester. After passing through Oakmere and Delamere watch out for the junction where the A54 meets the A556. 400 yards past this junction on the A556 the car park is clearly signposted on the left. The car park is free. There are no toilets.

Walk description: A large part of this walk follows the Sandstone Trail (ST). We leave the car park and follow the ST past Delamere railway station before leaving the ST and returning to cross the A556 and A54 and up Primrose Wood. Following country lanes and tracks we rejoin the ST in Boothsdale and cross  Primrose Hill back to the car park. There are several small assents, none of which are particularly demanding. Depending on weather, the walk may be muddy in places so poles may be useful in places but not essential.