High Lane, Turf Lea, Disley & Lyme Park

Introduction

The classic autumnal cloudy, dank weather conditions are persisting. But they aren’t putting me off my weekly dose of the countryside.

Today, I reminded myself (not that I really needed to), that some of the best walking within my 1 hour target maximum journey time, is right on the doorstep.

This 8.4 mile walk may be over familiar ground, but I’d never covered this all in one go.

There is 750feet of ascent, but it’s all fairly steady and easy going.

The walk took 3 hours 15 minutes.

This is a good walk for dog walking with lots of tracks and canal towpaths, but the lead is required through Disley, in Lyme Park, and over the farmland back to the Macclesfield Canal

High Lane is a 15 minute drive for me.

I walked in a clockwise direction.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL1 .

I parked at High Lane Park Car Park off Windlehurst Road, postcode SK6 8AB.

Two Canals – Macclesfield And Peak Forest

From the car park, I crossed the field to the Macclesfield Canal towpath, and headed north towards Marple.

This is a pretty section of canal on the suburban fringe.

Beyond the first bridge, the canal is in the countryside. And at the next bridge I left the canal to head east.

There is a well-fenced leading away from the canal.

The route follows field edges, before reaching Wybersley Road, and crossing down to the cottages at Turf Lea. Here’ it was nice to bump into Jordan’s former neighbour Christine, so I stayed awhile for a chat!

Beyond the cottages, Turf Lea becomes a track, and I turned left into the woods, passing this ever more dilapidated area of old farm buildings on my right.

The stream in this wood forms the Stockport – East Cheshire border. It’s a delightful spot, soon emerging at the edge of the Peak Forest Canal.

I took a short walk along the towpath, then crossed at one of the unusual lift bridges that exist on this canal.

Disley To Lyme Park

The track here soon becomes a minor road that wends its way under the railway and up to the A6. I crossed the road and took the minor road that runs behind the Rams Head pub. It’s quite a steep section here as Red Lane turns to become Green Lane, and I was now on The Gritstone Trail.

The increased height, and open fields brought a strong breeze, and then a first view of The Cage and Bollinhurst Reservoir.

This path has been well maintained, and is a joy to walk on, given all the recent rain.

The next waymarker is the point I know as six ways, for obvious reasons. It’s a place where great care is needed to be sure to take the right one. The three signposts offer some assistance!

I went through the gate and followed the Gritstone Trail down to Bollinhurst Bridge, and its safer wooden partner!

A short rise and before long I was at Lyme Park’s East Lodge.

Entering the park, I found the wind to be quite fierce in my face. The Cage maintains its sturdy posture on the ridge.

These three trees, with a fourth, and a fifth, now planted, always make a great picture.

As does, the front of the elegant hall.

I crossed the car park and headed on the track towards Higher Poynton, but at the North Cheshire Way path, I crossed the boundary wall out of the park.

Back To High Lane

I was faced with some muddy sheep fields, with the views to Stockport and the Cheshire plain almost lost in the murk..

It was a bit of a slog until I reached a tarmac drive leading down past Platt Wood Farm (in the foreground above).

It wasn’t long before I was back at the Macclesfield Canal.

There are some great reflections in the quiet water, but be prepared for pirates when you reach suburbia!

Nearing the end of the walk is a lovely curved and cobbled bridge over a canal wharf which leaves the canal to the left.

Lastly, the view of The Bulls Head couldn’t be more contradictory to that which you get from the road as you pass on the A6, unaware of the canal below.

This walk has lots of variety, And plenty of opportunities to extend the walk by discovering more of Lyme Park and its cafes, or stopping for a coffee or a beer in Disley. A lovely route.

And Finally….

This is a new band from Vancouver, The Matinee. The album is “Change Of Scene”, and this is the very relaxing title track. Enjoy.