Introduction

A change of plan this week, and I was out walking on a Wednesday which will no doubt leave me confused for the rest of the week!

With decent weather, I elected to take on the walk I’d initially planned for last week, when the weather wasn’t conducive.

Broadbottom is just half an hour’s drive from Cheadle Hulme via the M67.

The weather was largely cloudy, but it was dry, and not too cold or windy, so good walking weather. The walk is just shy of 8 miles, and took about 3.5 hours , plus a 15 minute lunch stop.

It isn’t ideal for dog walking. There is quite a bit of sheep farming, fields of horses and fair stretches along roads between Gamesley and Simmondley.

I parked on Bank Street in Broadbottom, turning left immediately before the viaduct after passing Broadbottom Station. Use postcode SK14 6AY.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL1.

Broadbottom to Gamesley

I set out along Hague Road, and noticed that autumn was drawing to a close, with less and less foliage left on the trees.

The view of the distant hills gave an indication of what was to come later in the walk.

I was soon heading downhill to cross the River Etherow.

It was a bit tricky finding the little used path by the house at the top of the track, but I was determined to take in Melandra Roman Fort, so persevered and found it at the second attempt.

The fort was established in the first century AD as one of a network of outposts which connected Manchester to the wider road network. It was later rebuilt in stone but was probably abandoned in the mid-second century AD.

All I could see the best part of 1900 years later was some grassy embankments!

I headed on down to the disused railway line that is now part of the Pennine Bridleway.

A stretch of road walking took me through Gamesley and over the active railway line. The clouds broke, and there were some sunny spells over the next hour or so.

On To Simmondley

I left the road just after a school, and passed a pretty pond.

A track led to a field of frisky horses, so I left my marked route through the car park of Glossop Rugby Club and up the minor road leading to High Lane. These are quiet roads and gave some lovely views.

I dropped down into the hamlet of Simmondley, then turned right to take a track past some houses. This cottage is dated 1706.

Ascending To Coombes Edge

The track became a path and climbed a clough, emerging onto Access Land.

I knew I was on the lee of the hill, so found a nice seat on a dilapidated dry stone wall where I could take in both the view over Glossop to Black Hill, and the lunch I had packed in the rucksack!

This was to be the last of the day’s sunshine.

Completing the ascent I was greeted by a view west to Manchester City Centre that even seemed to impress the sheep!

Coombes Edge Views

The views around the edge on the descent to Charlesworth are simply stunning.

Charlesworth to Broadbottom Via Tom Wood

The final section was across the lowland of the Etherow valley.

This sheep looked fierce, but ran off as I approached!

The path through Tom Wood is pretty, but the wooden steps and walkways are in great need of maintenance.

Eventually, I meet the river from where the path led through the grounds of the Catholic Church to the main road.

I really enjoyed this walk as there was lots of variation – upland, lowland, hills, rivers, history, both ancient and industrial. And if you do nothing else, go look at the views from Coombes Edge!

And Finally….

It’s been a few years since “A Deeper Understanding” and the new album from The War On Drugs has been much anticipated. This is “Harmonia’s Dream” from the album “I Don’t Live Here Anymore”.