Introduction

Summer’s end nears, but we appear to be set for a fair weekend, and today started it early, so I headed to the hills between New Mills, Hayfield and Chapel-en-le-frith. This is a great walk!

The journey is about 30 minutes each way by car from Cheadle Hulme to Low Leighton on the outskirts of New Mills.

This 6.2 mile walk isn’t suitable for dog walkers who like their dog to run free as there are lots of sheep and minor roads involved.

I walked in a clockwise direction, and with 1400 feet of elevation, it’s a nice challenge for today’s conditions. It took 3 hours 15 minutes plus a 40 minute lunch break.

The walk is on OS Explorer Map OL1.

I parked on Laneside Road, postcode SK22 4LU. What 3 Words /// crush.beads.mailing

Low Leighton To Cracken Edge

A long suburban road slowly turns into a country lane, at which point I parked the car and set off up the lane.

I left the road and took the track past Primrose Cottage, with its spectacular views.

Several paths meet at Moor Lodge, where there’s another lovely cottage.

Returning to Laneside Road, it’s now a track, lined with beautiful flowering heather.

At “New Allotments” the uphill gradient incerases significantly.

Looking back, the view is now quite dramatic.

After crossing the moor to reach a wall the view back to New Mills with Manchester beyond is now spectacular.

And then I reached Cracken Edge, and the views to the east are also stunning.

Cracken Edge

There is much evidence of ancient quarrying creating a dazzling landscape.

I walked across the top of the quarries. The trig point at Chinley Churn can’t be accessed as it’s on private land. So at the end of the edge, I took the steep path down to the foot of the old quarries. I stopped to admire the view again, then watched my feet on the short, steep descent.

Cracken Edge To Green Head

Immediately, it felt much warmer with protection from the north westerly breeze, and I lingered in the sunshine for a while.

It’s a lovely path down to Over Hill Road.

The road is very quiet, and the views remain glorious all the way to the field turning, leading down to Clough Head Farm, and its collection of ornamental old anvils.

The drive down to Green Head is along the edge of a pretty clough, still holding great views beyond.

Green Head To Low Leighton

At Green Head, I intended to cut the corner on a path, but the steps up to the path were completely overgrown with ferns, nettles and brambles, so instead I stayed on Dolly Lane.

One cottage had some stunning multi-coloured floral borders.

And this farm had an attractive sign.

I crossed the stream and headed up the pretty Shedyard Clough. The route was dotted with bright red rowan berries.

Back on Laneside road, I took in the views one last time before returning to the car.

This is a perfect walk if the weather is fair and you have half a day to spare.

Beautiful countryside!

And Finally….

This is Le Risque from the new album, b741 by King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard.