Hinath two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Hinath here.

This starts at Hindley Station (which is currently closed as Ladies Lane bridge is being replaced, and the station’s platforms are being extended, this work is due to complete mid July 2023). After walking to the end of Railway Street the route goes along a short path parallel to the railway before you’re back onto paved streets until you get to the end of Alder Lane. After crossing over Swan Lane the route is back off road onto footpaths through woods. across fields before you’re back onto pavement at Coupland Road though to the superbly named “Dangerous Corner”. The route then heads off again onto a lovely woodland path, until you get to the outskirts of Atherton, then a cut through Central Park before heading towards the finish at St Johns church. All in an all a great route, just keep an eye out for a couple of points to stay on route - see Mary Oz’s review for full details.

We set off from Hindley Station, which is currently closed due to major roadworks, along a track next to the railway. After passing an interesting set of river tunnels under the railway, we soon reached a road which we could cross via a zebra crossing. From here there was a fairly long, but not unpleasant pavement-pace along Alder Lane. This was fairly quiet and had fields along one side.
From near the pub the footpath was covered with “gravel” made from broken roof tiles, which I think would be difficult for wheels. The factories here were not noticeable, but the house at the corner had made a land-grab across the Public Right of Way, but a well-used footpath detoured around its high fence through wild plants.
Emerging onto, and crossing Coupland Road from the north was easy enough, but it would be bit of a blind bend to cross from the south, however it was not too busy or fast. The footpath between the houses (at OS Grid Ref: SD 64475 03424) was guarded, unnecessarily, by a large car, protecting “their” property, but it’s a PRoW so go for it! The next potential short footpath (at OS Grid Ref: SD 64628 03194) was so overgrown it was easier just to stay on the road.
We soon reached the former railway line foot/cycle path, which was rather lovely in the dappled sunlight. Crossing the crossroads could have been made easier by the council – traffic lights for cars but no pedestrian lights.
The final walk into Atherton was straightforward, and we had lunch in a really cool café called The Snug. A pretty good route but with a couple of small snags.

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