Walk Leader: Stephen Martin

Number on walk: 3

Distance: 25 miles

Weather: Sunshine

Three of us left Jackson’s Brickwords car park at 08.40hrs. A little cool to start with the odd spot of rain. After 1.5 miles we were in Lyme Park where a certain Mr Darcy met Miss Bennet in the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice at the lake side. We then headed up Cage Hill to Cage Tower hunting lodge with fine views of the surrounding countryside.

Uphill again and around Disley were airshafts to the Disley railway tunnel can be seen. Dropping down to the River Goyt, through Strines passed the clock tower and dovecote, Brook Bottom (too early for refreshments at the Fox Inn), and onto Mellor Moor where we took a lunch stop. We then headed through Mellor back to the River Goyt onto the Roman Lakes and Old Tea Rooms.

A few miles further brought us to the Peak Forest Canal with its 16 locks at Marple.

Then over the viaduct, (a sight to be seen), breaking at Compstall for coffee and cake. Along the River Etherow brought is to Etherow Country Park. Climbing for the last ascent of the day to the War Memorial on Werneth Low gave great views of Manchester and approaching planes. We then made our final descent into Broadbottom finishing around 19.10hrs.

The route meandered considerably to take in everything the area had to offer and did not disappoint. Although a lengthy 25 mile walk with 2900feet of ascent, it was a surprisingly fantastic days walking.

Day 3
Middlewood to Broadbottom 25 miles (2900ft Ascent)
Start - Jacksons Brickworks Local Nature Reserve SK12 1TY W3W
gasping.shields.stupidly. Gate gets locked at 1800hrs
End - Free parking The Etherow Centre,118 Mottram Rd, Broadbottom, SK14 6AX.
W3W noble.airfields.aviation or on public road
Highlights include:
– Quiet paths along Bollinghurst Brook
– Heritage and classic scenery in Lyme Park with its Grade I-listed hall
– Fine views towards Mellor Moor and the Peak from Marple Ridge
– The old textile-printing settlement of Strines .
– The hamlet of Brookbottom with its traditional country pub
– An exploration of Mellor Moor , a high plateau offering stunning views, with one of
the two highest summits in Stockport borough
– Mellor village, with its Iron Age archeological site and church with the oldest
wooden pulpit in England
– The ‘Roman Lakes’ , a Victorian beauty spot in the picturesque Goyt Valley
– The famous flight of locks at Marple . – A crossing of the astonishing Marple canal
aqueduct , England’s highest
– Gorgeous waterside and woodland paths in Etherow Country Park
– A wander around Werneth Low , offering great views across Greater Manchester,
the Peak District and the Pennines
– Streamside paths in the fairytale-like setting of Back Wood
– Industrial remains and riverside scenery near Broadbottom .
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Stephen Martin
Walk leader