From Grindleford we will do a 7 mile/ 11.5km round walk. The route will be along Froggatt and Curbar Edge to then come down into Froggatt for a meal at The Chequers Inn. We will then descend a further 2 miles back into the valley (following the Derwent Valley Heritage Way) to reach the train station.
There are limited trains, and as the days are shorter, we will leave at 9:22 from Manchester Piccadilly –meet up at the information no later than 9:10. We’ll take the 17:29 return train from Grindleford and should be back in Manchester by 18:31.
On 10 March we will be walking the first part of the Sandstone Trail in Cheshire, from Frodsham to the Delamere Forest. the route will be approx 8 miles/ 4 hours of walking, with time for a pub stop along the way. Packed lunches are still required, so we can make the best of the views from the trail.
We will leave Manchester at 9:56 from Piccadilly and take the return train from Delamere at 17:23. Meet at the information board by 9.40 to allow time to buy tickets.
Our April walk will be a just-under-8 mile walk from Marsden to Greenfield. From Marsden train station, we will dip into the Colne Valley and right back out again, getting most of the uphill bits in early. The Standedge trail –with a detour past Redbrook Reservoir and Thieves Clough for the good view- leads us via Diggle Edge to Uppermill, where we have a choice of two great pubs. These are the Cross Keys inn (http://www.crosskeysuppermill.com/) and the Church Inn (http://www.churchinnsaddleworth.co.uk) right next door to each other. From there, it is a gentle 1 mile downhill stroll via the Tame Valley Trail to Greenfield Train station.
We will get to Marsden by train – meet at Manchester VICTORIA at 10:25 (Yay! You can have a lie-in!) to catch the 10:43 train to Marsden. Meet at the coffee stand opposite the ticket office. We can get Northern Duo tickets for this trip (that’s one return train ticket, plus a second for half the price when two adults travel together), so pair up! We expect to return to Manchester for 17:26 on the on the 16:58 from Greenfield.
The timing above will allow time for a break or two on the hilly part before we get to the pub, so please bring enough food and drink to last the day (or at least the pub).
As we are only going by train you can just turn up on the day. However if you are planning to come it is helpful to have a mobile number to text you on if there are any last-minute changes.
Our May walk on Sunday 12th May will be a nice easy 10km walk along a stretch of the Witton Weavers Way from Darwen on the West Pennine Moors down to Entwistle via the Turton & Enwistle Reservoir. We will have time to eat at the Strawbury Duck (http://www.thestrawburyduck.co.uk/) which is next to the Entwistle train station, as well as stopping for snacks on the route.
We will get to Darwen by train – meet at Manchester VICTORIA at 10:40 to catch the 11:00 train to Darwen. Meet at the coffee stand opposite the ticket office. We can get Northern Duo tickets for this trip (that’s one return train ticket, plus a second for half the price when two adults travel together), so pair up if possible.
We expect to return to Manchester for 17:52 on the 17:17 from Entwistle. (Buy return tickets to Darwen as Entwistle is closer to Manchester on the same line.)
Our June walk will be on a Saturday this time! Sorry if that means some of you can’t make it, but perhaps there are also some on this list who can make Saturday but not Sunday.
We will explore a new part of Lancashire and do a gentle 8 mile circular walk from Parbold via Fairy Glen (I know!) and Harrock Hill.
As you can see here… http://www.outdoorsgps.com/route/show/277146_parbold-douglas-valley-har there will be a gentle uphill trek through the glen and a stroll around the hill before we stop for a pub lunch at the Rigbye Arms (http://www.rigbyearms.com/).
We still suggest you take enough food and drink (especially if the sunny weather holds until next weekend, ahem) to last the day.
We will leave Manchester at 10:22 from Piccadilly. Meet at the information board by 10:00 to allow time to buy tickets. Feel free to join us at Oxford Road 10:26,Deansgate 10:28 or Salford Crescent 10:34 if that suits you better. We can take the return train from Parbold at 16:41 returning to Manchester Piccadilly at 17:35.
Our July walk will be on Sunday 14th July, at Ullswater in the Lake District - so back to the usual second Sunday of the month. A comfortable 7 mile walking route is available along the shore of this beautiful lake which starts with a ride on the Ullswater Steamboat from Glenridding to Howton (£6.20 single fare). There will be time for a pub stop at the end.
Our walk will was a circular walk starting from New Mills and into Lime Park to return via Dinsley.
For our October stroll we will be seeking autumn colour at Padley Gorge in Derbyshire. This cute little gorge which features ancient oak woodland is on the eastern edge of the peak district close to the famous gritstone edges beloved of rock climbers, so good views are guaranteed on this 7 mile route.
From Grindleford Station we will ascend Padley Gorge between Bole Hill and Yancliff Wood, then join the Sheffield country walk as it skirts under Burbage Rocks and on to Stanage Edge - with great views over Hathersage and Eyam Moor, before descending into Hathersage for a pub stop.
For this we will catch the 9.22 from Manchester Piccadilly and return at 16.31 (on the 15.32 from Hathersage). Meet under the main information board of Piccadilly station at 9.00am.