Introduction
He enjoyed it so much last week that he wanted to come with me again!
To save faffing around getting him in the car I decided to walk in the wonderful countryside from Jordan and Delly’s home at Turf Lea, Marple Ridge.
Walk time – 3 hours for a 7 mile trek through woods, over a golf course through woods, up to the moors, and alongside a reservoir, a river, a stream, and a canal – plenty to enjoy here!
For dog walkers, there are plenty of opportunities to relinquish the lead, though I had some trouble with a very excitable puppy in a fairly small field full of sheep.
Weather – pleasant, warm enough, though cloudy for most of the walk
OS Explorer Map OL1
Parking – free on road car parking, but limited spaces in Turf Lea. More parking easily available back towards Marple Ridge. The walk starts at postcode SK6 7EY.
Stanleyhall Wood Disley Golf Course
Turf Lea soon becomes a track, and then a path through the woods to Disley Golf Course.
Just a few players, and only one golf ball that briefly excited Rolo, who sensed a game for him to join in with.
Sticking to the perimeter paths I left the golf course and passed the underground reservoir to cross Jacksons Edge Road. The path then tracks down and across a pleasant wood near an old quarry with quite steep, unfenced edges. We took it slow and steady here.
Lyme Park
The path emerges onto the A6 opposite the Lyme Park entrance. Patience is needed to cross safely, and we headed down the drive past the pretty pond to the pay kiosk.
We turned left at the kiosk and left Lyme Park at the gate, turning immediately right to follow the boundary wall with views into the park.
Carrying on up the path we pass near to Bollinhurst Reservoir.
Drakes Cross
The path follows the wall and through another wooded area and up to a meeting of several ways at Drakes Cross. We stopped here for a drink and took in the view over the Lyme Park cage to the Cheshire Plain.
We didn’t go through the gate, but turned sharp left down a dip then took the path to the right up the hill to Mudhurst Lane. There are lovely views of the moors and away to Manchester as we crossed and continued uphill to the high point of the walk.
Down To The River Goyt
After crossing Buxton Old Road it’s now all downhill. First, we passed a small reservoir with some construction work in hand.
There was a lovely wooded section with a stream, and then once again we negotiated the A6. We passed under two railway lines, and also the Peak Forest Canal.
At the road we turned left, then headed on towards the Toilet Paper Factory. The path goes right at the factory entrance and then follows the River Goyt and factory fence. And there’s a couple of “beaches”, so how about a swim?
Yes, you’ve got a wet face!
Higgins Clough and The Peak Forest Canal
We left the river and continued round the factory before heading uphill into the quiet Higgins Clough with its bridge and pretty streams.
“OK, I think we can take the lead off for a little while”, I said. And he really loved splashing around and running over all the rocks.
Peak Forest Canal
Arriving at the canal we walked towards Marple along this lovely waterway.
The views over the Goyt to Brook Bottom are always a joy.
At Turf Lea lift bridge the end of the walk nears, and we headed up past the farm and Rolo spots home coming into view.
A quick lunch, and one of us was soon ready for his bed!
And Finally….
Jordan left Rolo to me and has headed to the O2 Brixton in London to see Jungle tonight. Here is “Truth”a very catchy song of theirs that I really like.