Haznew one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I broadly agree with the two earlier reviews and strongly agree with the suggestion to add the millennium walkway. Once in the town New Mills has plenty to offer in terms of Cafes etc.
Due to seasonal growth the second half of the section from the Middlewood Way down to the A6 was, on the day, difficult to navigate. An alternative which avoids one of the A6 crossings, the difficult section and a rickety stile would be to head south on the Middlewood Way taking the Ladybrook Valley Interest Trail over to the Macclesfield Canal to rejoining the route there.

Overall, a pleasant route with lots of variety and generally solid surfaces to walk on. The nice bits are particularly good, though some of the bits linking them are more a ‘means to and end’ than having particular qualities in themselves. The last kilometre or so (from the fields at Mousley Bottom up to New Mills bus station) seemed a slightly odd choice; the most direct route maybe, but Station Road is a slightly dreary slog, and for the sake of another 200m or so, I would choose to keep to the paths that stay closest to the river, go across the Millennium Walkway into the Torrs, and then takes the steps up to the bus station from there.
The route has quite a few steps, stiles and kissing gates, and at least one cattle grid, so this is not going to be suitable for wheelchairs and the like.
Note that there are three crossings of the busy A6 road to contend with. The first (at Hazel Grove) is halfway between the traffic lights at Torkington Road (by the Bulls Head), and those at Macclesfield Road (by the Rising Sun). At busy times, I would suggest using either of those, rather than trying to cross where the footpath emerges opposite the park entrance. The second (at High Lane) is less than 100m from a dropped kerb and central crossing island, and I would recommend using that – there is a traffic light crossing in the other direction but it is somewhat further away. The third (at Disley) is more straightforward as there is a large traffic light-controlled crossing which would be the obvious place to go anyway. Ideally, I would suggest the route is tweaked to encourage people to use the Torkington Road lights (Hazel Grove) and central island (High Lane) crossings.

A pleasant and varied route - you walk by a canal, by a river, through woodland, and along farm tracks (where you may meet the occasional slow-moving car, so stay aware and keep out of the way). Not quite 5-star because it really isn't very direct, although I suspect a hypothetical 'north of High Lane' route wouldn't be nearly as interesting.

On paper, the decision to visit the outskirts of Lyme Park looks a bit daft, but on-route it feels like it makes sense. And the woods around there are lovely. Try it, anyway, see if you agree.

The route is well signed throughout, and the trails are obvious to follow. Even across the golf course where there is no trail as such, they've stuck up little yellow 'footpath' signs on the trees so you should have no trouble.

Obstacles to wheel users include a few flights of stairs (e.g. down to a stream to reach a bridge, or down into Disley railway station) as well as gates, stiles, and muddy paths through pasture.

Mid-route facilities: three miles from New Mills the route runs through Disley (photo 2), passing a couple of pubs and a Co-op.

Path surfaces: pavement, road verge, dirt track, stony track, narrow woodland trail, pasture
Obstacles: gates, stiles, several flights of stairs (photo 6).

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