View on route from Scholar Green to Rushton Spencer - October 2016

AUTMN/WINTER PROGRAMME

We start our Autumn/Winter Programme striding out along the Gritstone Trail and sampling some of the finest walking in Cheshire. There are stunning views in all directions from the gritstone ridges abutting the Cheshire plain. On a clear day you'll see views to the Welsh hills and the cathedrals of Liverpool. Along the route there's a variety of interesting landmarks and features.

A WALK: SCHOLAR GREEN TO RUSHTON SPENCER,12 miles, 1830 ft ascent.
A lovely, scenic and varied walk with wonderful views. We start with a short stretch along the Macclesfield Canal before heading upwards to our first gritstone edge, the romantic folly of Mow Cop and then on past the striking gritstone pillar known as the Old Man of Mow. We continue along the edge before heading down through a wood and across fields to join the Biddulph Valley Way, a former railway line which is now a nature reserve. The route then crosses farmland before heading steeply uphill through woodland to the heather strewn, rocky summit of Bosley Cloud (1,125 ft) from where there are extensive views over Cheshire, to the coast and towards Greater Manchester. From here we descend across fields (note: can be muddy and slippery) to meet the River Dane, and, finally, walk along another short section of disused railway line to our finish point, the lovely village of Rushton Spencer.

WALK A Link to OS map

WALK B: ASTBURY TO RUSHTON SPENCER, 8 miles, 1098 ft ascent
Starting in the Cheshire village of Astbury, the route follows a road for a short way, where care needs to be taken, to join the Macclesfield Canal and the Cheshire Ringway. We follow the canal for 3 ½ miles as it wends its way through Congleton before leaving to join the Gritstone Trail. At Timbersbrook, the path heads steeply uphill through woodland to the heather strewn, rocky summit of Bosley Cloud (1,125 ft) from where there are extensive views over Cheshire, and to the coast and towards Greater Manchester. From here we descend across fields (note: can be muddy and slippery) to meet the River Dane, and, finally, walk along another short section of disused railway line to our finish point, the lovely village of Rushton Spencer.

WALK B Link to OS map

WALK C: TBA.
A 5 to 6 miles gentle walk at a slower pace, with limited ascent and reasonable paths underfoot.

In the unlikely event of separation from the group or other emergency please take note of the following contact numbers:

Liz Moxham - 07876255849
Frank Jones - 07788736006