Today’s Walks
Strenuous Leader: Dag Griffiths & Dennis Cookson Distance: 10 miles
We head north from Styal Country Park crossing fields and Styal Golf Club towards the village of Handforth. From Handforth Station we take footpaths to walk through the farmland to the east and south of Handforth and along part of the Bollin Valley Way to Wilmslow. At Wilmslow we rejoin the Bollin Valley way to walk through The Carrs, a parkland area that follows the River Bollin. After leaving The Carrs we enter Styal Country Park heading for Quarry Bank Mill and the completion of our circuit. Ear muffs to cut out aircraft noise and traffic noise from the footpath section parallel to the A34 might be useful! Seriously though, gaiters are recommended as the paths were quite muddy in places.
Moderate Leader: Peter Denton Distance: 7 miles
We start this walk from Quarry Bank Mill then follow the North Cheshire Way, (this part of the walk is very up and down with a great deal of steps) through Styal Country Park and along the edge of Runway 2. We then turn away on to local footpaths across pasture fields and over some stiles, making our way back into Styal for a well earned cuppa.
Leisurely Leader: Sue Daniels Distance: 6 miles
From Styal Country Park we follow the well marked paths down through the trees into the Bollin Valley following the river. Please note that there are lots of steps to go up (some steep) but we will take our time. As Manchester Airport is nearby the sound of planes can be heard throughout most of the walk and as we come out of the valley and join the North Cheshire Way we should see one or two planes taking off as we follow the boundary of the runway. We then carry on through Burleyhurst Wood and the village of Morley. We then cross the busy A538 and follow a newly built wooden track which goes through the woods and back along the river through Quarry Bank Mill and round to the Mill at the country park and coach.