Our January outing this Sunday (January 21st) will be one of the “Top 10 UK winter walks” according to the Guardian; this one suggested by the poet Helen Mort. Our 8 mile walk south of Grindleford first leads us past Nether Padley and towards Froggatt via Spooner Lane. Around The Chequers Inn (not our pub stop yet!) we will start ascending Curbar Edge, but on the most leisurely path. If there is no wind or rain, we can take in all of the edge from Curbar gap, otherwise we’ll stay more sheltered for a bit longer. Before we arrive at the pub stop, the Grouse, there should be stone circles, poetry and great views from Froggatt Edge. It is about another mile downhill to the train station after our pub lunch.
Our February outing will start with one of the shortest train rides around- 12 minutes after leaving Manchester Piccadilly we arrive in Stalybridge.
From there, we follow the canal for a while on the Tame Valley trail before turning right towards (and then around) Harridge Pike. After inspecting water levels at the Swineshaw reservoirs, we follow the Pennine Bridleway all the way into Tintwistle. A short loop around the Bottoms Reservoir then takes us into Padfield on the Longdendale trail -all in all around 8-9 miles depending on which way into Hadfield we take.
There are a couple of options for pub lunch, including the Bull's head in Tintwistle and the New Lamp in Hadfield.
Our 9 mile walk walk takes us from Walsden up to the Todmorden Centenary Way along two reservoirs (Warland and Light Hazzles- dontcha just love the names) and after a while, a third one (Blackstone Edge) before descending back into the valley and Littleborough station. If hunger strikes early, we can have our pub lunch after about 6 miles by the Blackstone reservoir (The White House pub). Alternatively, there’s the Moorcock Inn about 1 1/3 miles from Littleborough station, or on request via a slight detour, the Summit Inn. (I know that some of you are doing extensive research!.
Our 9 mile walk walk takes us from Walsden up to the Todmorden Centenary Way along two reservoirs (Warland and Light Hazzles- dontcha just love the names) and after a while, a third one (Blackstone Edge) before descending back into the valley and Littleborough station. If hunger strikes early, we can have our pub lunch after about 6 miles by the Blackstone reservoir (The White House pub). Alternatively, there’s the Moorcock Inn about 1 1/3 miles from Littleborough station, or on request via a slight detour, the Summit Inn.
7.5 mile (12 km) circular walk from Edale. The plan is to go West via Upper Booth, hike up to Kinder Scout via Jacob’s ladder and back down again via Grindsbrook Clough. That makes this a shorter walk than we typically do, but there’s a lot more altitude involved. There are a couple of pub options in Edale but our old favourite is The Old Nags Head.
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 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
10 mile circular walk from Frodsham takes us through some lovely cooling woodland. We’ll go west to Helsby first, enjoy the great view over the Cheshire plain and then loop back and follow the Sandstone trail for a bit towards Frodsham. Before the well-earned pub lunch, we’ll add a bonus loop to visit Frodsham caves!
To make the most of the longer summer days (and the Dales!), this is a relatively long walk of around 10 miles, although we can cut some corners if the weather is not nice. Leaving Buxton via the pavillion gardens, we’ll head towards Staden and Cowdale village and then the wilderness of Deepdale. A lovely stretch of the Monsal trail along the river Wye leads us to Blackwell Mill where we cross over and loop back westward on the top edge of Wye Dale. To get back to Buxton, we’ll unfortunately have to dip back into the valley, up again and finally down into Cunning Dale. It’s a lovely varied route with great views.
For our September walk on Sunday Sept 16th, we will explore the dales around Buxton. This is a relatively long walk of around 10 miles if the weather is nice, but we can cut some corners if required. Leaving Buxton via the pavilion gardens, we’ll head towards Staden and Cowdale village and then the wilderness of Deepdale. A lovely stretch of the Monsal trail along the river Wye leads us to Blackwell Mill where we cross over and loop back westward on the top edge of Wye Dale. To get back to Buxton, we’ll unfortunately have to dip back into the valley, up again and finally down into Cunning Dale. It’s a lovely varied route with great views.
This Sunday 21 October we will follow a linear route from Strines via beautiful Mellor Moor to Marple. The main part of the walk is only approx. 7.5 miles but if time permits we can increase it to 9 miles by adding on an easy 1.5 miles of autumnal scenery near Marple.
Leaving Strines station (on the line towards Sheffield), we head up to the hamlet of Brooks Bottom and then climb further to the airy plateau of Mellor Moor. An easy tramp of about 3 miles on moorland tracks and lanes provides great views, especially towards Kinder Scout. We might also spot some lapwings and other moorland birds. From the hilltop church at Mellor (for views towards Stockport and Manchester), we stroll down into Mellor village for a late-ish lunch at the Devonshire Arms pub. There is then a gentle descent via woodland to the Goyt Valley, including the Victorian beauty spot of the "Roman Lakes". After a brief climb to the Peak Forest Canal, it's then an easy waterside walk past a series of locks to Marple. Here, as mentioned, we can add on an easy 1.5 miles of canal and woodland walking or simply return to Marple station.
We will follow a linear route from Lostock to Blackrod. Approaching Winter Hill via Burnt Edge (no pun intended, it’s really called that), we’ll skirt round the edge of the area affected by the fire in summer. Via Two Lads, Pike Cottage and the Pigeon Tower, the ca. 10 mile walk then takes us to the Rivington Reservoir and to Blackrod station.
We will walk from Furness Vale to Disley via Lyme Park. To work up an appetite for a fine Christmassy lunch, the 8-9 mile route leads us (up, up, up) past the medieval Dipping Stone to the Bowstonegate entrance of the park. Depending on the weather and collective energy levels, we can then take a bigger loop via the Keeper's cottage and Hase Bank down into the park, or a more direct route via Knights Low. Unfortunately An Audience with Father Christmas at the mansion is sold out. A well-trodden path then takes us to Disley train station and an old favourite, the Ram's head.