For our March walk, we have planned a 8 mile walk (approx) starting from Godley station to Glossop, taking in Hackingknife, Idle Hill, and Coombes Edge. Because the weather in March can be uncertain, we have chosen a walk where there are plenty of ways to cut it short if the weather is bad, including Broadbottom Station, which is half-way between the other two.
The route is not expected to be rough but will definitely be muddy in places. We will be getting to Godley by train; meet at Manchester Piccadilly on Sunday, 13th March at 10am to catch the 10:18 train to Godley.
PLEASE NOTE: you should buy a return ticket to Glossop, not Godley, as we will be returning from that station.
Meet near the information board. We should be returning to Manchester on either the 16:09 or the 16:39 train from Glossop, which arrive back in Manchester at either 16:42 and 17:12, respectively.
Our April walk will be a 7.5 mile (12 1/3 km) circular walk from Whaley Bridge. For the first few miles, we will gradually ascend to Windgather Rocks for some great views, down again into the Goyt valley and the northern edge of Fernilee Reservoir before returning to Whaley Bridge via Shallcross Wood. There are a couple of options for extending or shortening the route depending on the weather and collective energy levels. The Cock pub and kitchen in Whaley seems a nice option for afterwards (including vegetarian options) and is just a few hundred yards from the train station.
We will be getting to Whaley Bridge by train; meet at Manchester Piccadilly on Sunday, 24th April at 9:30 am to catch the 9:50 train to Whaley Bridge (Northern Service to Buxton).
Meet near the information board. We should be returning to Manchester on the 15:42 train from Whaley Bridge, which arrive back in Manchester at 16:25. This timing will allow for one or two short stops for snacks, and then a pub lunch before catching the train.
We haven’t been in the High Peak for a while. Our May walk will therefore be a 9 mile (14.6 km) linear walk from Bamford to Edale. The route will lead us first around and then over Win Hill with views of Ladybower reservoir, across Hope Valley and up onto the Great Ridge from Lose Hill to Hollins Cross. From there we will descend into Edale for a pub (or café) lunch in the Rambler Inn or the Penny Pot Café.
We will be getting to Bamford by train. Meet at Manchester Piccadilly on Sunday, May 15th at 9:10 am to catch the 9:22 train to Bamford (Northern service to Sheffield).
Meet near the information board. We should be returning to Manchester on the 16:48 train from Edale, which arrives back in Manchester at 17:34. This timing will allow for one or two short stops for snacks, and then a pub lunch before catching the train.
Those in a rush should just about be able to manage the 15:48 (arrival 16:34) without lunch.
We will tackle Kinder Scout. Starting in Hayfield, the first few miles will gradually take us via the Pennine Bridleway and Oaken Clough to the top of Kinder Scout. We will then turn North to follow the Pennine Way past Kinder Downfall before descending into Glossop from Mill Hill. The vegan Globe pub in Glossop was a big hit in March, and the popular vote decided that we should return.
Meet 10:00am on Sunday June 19th at Manchester Piccadilly, near the information board as usual. We’ll catch the 10:18 to Glossop (Northern Service to Hadfield), arriving at 10:48. We will then take the High Peak 61 bus to Hayfield (direction Buxton) from Glossop Henry Street.
We will also return from Glossop, so buy a return ticket. Realistically this will be the 17:38 from Glossop (arrival 18:12 in Piccadilly) or any suitable train at 8 or 38 minutes past the hour. The timing above will allow for one or two short stops for snacks, and then the pub stop before catching the train.
Those in a rush should just about be able to manage the 14:44 (arrival 15:25) without lunch.
On July 10th we will do a circular three-valley walk around Hebden Bridge via the lovely Hebden Dale, Heptonstall, along the dramatic edge above Eaves Wood, over Pry Hill and back down into the Calder valley. Depending on the weather, this will be a 7-9 mile walk with a picnic opportunity in Heptonstall and a pub lunch back in Hebden Bridge. The canalside Stubbing Wharf is on the way back to the station, but of course there are endless pub opportunities in Hebden Bridge.
Meet 10:00am on Sunday July 10th at Manchester Victoria(!), near the old ticket office, and buy a return ticket to Hebden Bridge. We’ll catch the 10:15 Northern service to Leeds, arriving at 10:49. Trains back to Manchester run at 42 past the hour- we should be able to catch the 16:42 or (if we do the longer route and opt for a very leisurely pub lunch) the 17:42 from Hebden Bridge, returning at 17:20 or 18:20, respectively.
A fairly gentle, circular walk (actually, more of a slim-waisted figure 8) just over 8 miles from Grindleford. From the train station we will first follow a steep path through the stunning Padley Gorge and then join the Sheffield Country Walk until Upper Burbage Bridge. Higger Tor will be the highest point of the walk, from where we will have a quick look at Carl Wark –an interesting rocky outcrop that might have been an Iron Age fort. (Check the Wikipedia page!) The last leg via the Longshaw Estate is very gentle, and we have the option to either have a pub lunch at the Grouse Inn or a very rustic snack at the station café (although that one isn’t licensed).
Meet 9:10am on Sunday August 7th at Manchester Piccadilly near the information and buy a return ticket to Grindleford. We’ll catch the 9:22 Northern service to Sheffield, arriving at 10:24. Trains back to Manchester run at 29 past the hour- we should be able to catch the 15:29, returning at 16:34, unless the kids go climbing around Carl Wark in which case a 16:29 departure (arrival 17:34) is more likely.
The walk will take us to the Ribble valley for a ca. 8.5 mile walk. We will take the train to Langho on the Blackburn/ Clitheroe route. Heading northerly towards Hurst Green, we’ll cross the river at Dinckley Hall, follow the river for a bit and then make our way towards beautiful Stonyhurst College. After snooping around the grounds for a bit, it’s down again into the Hodder valley. On our way towards Whalley, we’ll have a choice of two wonderful lunch places- either the Three Fishes in Great Mitton, or the Aspinall Arms just across the river. (I expect everyone to do their research!)
Meet 8:50am on Sunday September 11th at Manchester Victoria near the ticket office and buy a return ticket to Whalley.
The walk will take us to the Ribble valley for a ca. 8.5 mile walk. We will take the train to Langho on the Blackburn/ Clitheroe route. Heading northerly towards Hurst Green, we’ll cross the river at Dinckley Hall, follow the river for a bit and then make our way towards beautiful Stonyhurst College. After snooping around the grounds for a bit, it’s down again into the Hodder valley. On our way towards Whalley, we’ll have a choice of two wonderful lunch places- either the Three Fishes in Great Mitton, or the Aspinall Arms just across the river.
The November walk will be a just-under-8 mile walk from Marsden to Greenfield. From Marsden train station, we’ll get most of the uphill bits in first by following the Standedge trail with a detour past Redbrook Reservoir and Thieves Clough for the good view. Via Diggle Edge we’ll make our way to Uppermill, where we have a choice of two great pubs. These are the Cross Keys Inn (http://www.crosskeysinn.co.uk) and the Church Inn (http://www.churchinnsaddleworth.co.uk) right next door to each other. From there, it is a gentle 2 mile downhill stroll via the Tame Valley Trail to Greenfield Train station.
The days are getting shorter and the skies sometimes greyer, but with a bit of luck we’ll have a bright wintery day Sunday after next, that’s December 11th, for the final walk of this year!
The December walk starts in Alderley Edge, first southward past the gardens of the upper 1% (see how the other half lives!). We’ll then turn a corner at Beech wood towards Finlow Hill and join the North Cheshire Way for a stretch through lovely beech, oak and horse chestnut woodland. Eventually we’ll make our way to The Edge itself for the glorious views before returning to town for our pub lunch.