Hollingworth, Mottram Rise And Swallow’s Wood

Introduction

Hollingworth is easily reached at the end of the M67 motorway, and as I was taking my travelling companion, Rolo, along with me today, a shortish journey seemed appropriate.

It took just over half an hour in the car from Cheadle Hulme.

This walk is around 6.5 miles, has 1130 feet (345m) of ascent, and took almost2 hours 45 minutes to complete, plus 15 minutes for lunch.

Much of the walk is good for off lead dog walking, however there were sheep roaming on the open moors.

The weather was cloudy and drizzly, 16 Deg C, not a great summer’s day, but preferable to the intense 40degree heatwave of a couple of days ago. It was very wet in the long grass on a couple of little used footpath sections.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL1.

I parked easily on Green Lane, where the walk starts and finishes, well away from the main road, using postcode SK14 8JW, and completed the route clockwise .

Hollingworth To Roe Cross

After parking, a short walk back along Green Lane brought me to a track off to the right, and immediately onto a pretty country track.

Beyond the cottage I entered a grassy field, and rose to find lovely views, which the weather was trying to spoil!

Unperturbed, I was soon meandering along delightful paths and tracks between the tree-lined fields.

The longer distance view to a distant church was still hindered by the murk.

After Lumb Farm, the track turned into a pretty and quiet lane.

The vergeside flowers helped to enhance the longer distance views.

Roe Cross To HallFarm

At the bottom of Hobson Moor Road I took the path into the field on the right. It was very wet here! However, the short climb was rewarding for both of us; Rolo loving the cool, wet grass, and me the prettiest view of the day!

The route was now heading up Mottram Rise, parallel to Gallows Clough. We stopped to admire some horses.

This is classic upland fringe habitat, and I got nice views of a stonechat atop a holly bush, and a meadow pipit on a wall.

We were nearing the high point of our walk, about 1230 feet (375 metres) above sea level, and the mist was quite thick. One of us had his portrait taken!

The descent brought views to the east, and the mist was gradually beginning to clear.

And after descending further to Hall Farm, it now seemed to be a pleasant summer day.

Hall Farm To Swallow’s Wood

The path ascends after Hall Farm, so after the long track, we found a suitable viewpoint above Arnfield Reservoir to stop for lunch.

There were grand views on the descent to Middle Bank.

I could have taken the Tameside Trail / Pennine Bridleway here, but wanted to take the alternative which gave longer exposure to Swallow’s Wood. My route was quite tricky to locate, but was worth it, as once in the wood, it is a beautiful place.

I ignored the bridge, Devil’s Bridge, and continued on the high level path.

I crossed a couple of streams, one of which seemed, to Rolo, to be worthy of a paddle, next to a relatively modern, but now derelict, building!

Soon, we had negotiated the fields, and the path around the right hand side of Meadowbank Farm, and we were back at the car.

This is a really lovely walk in undisturbed countryside, yet so close to the conurbation and major highways over the Pennines.

If you want to try something shorter and easier, a walk around Arnfield Reservoir and Swallow’s Wood would make for a very pleasant hour or two.

And Finally….

I discovered Arlo McKinley this week. Unfortunately, I missed his gig at Gulliver’s last month, but still love the album, This Mess We’re In. This track is “City Lights”