Poynew two

Verified Slow Way

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It's a nice route, nothing much to add to all the useful comments by Vanessa and Andy. Agree in the Disley section it makes sense to keep the height and use footpath 25 by St Mary's unless you're popping into Disley for shops, cafes and pubs. I used the Higher Poynton canalside variation as suggested and picked up the Prince's Incline from the canal.
One thing to note is the mixed herd of cattle at Barlow House Farm, could require a bit of care if you're walking with dogs.

Pretty much agree with all of Vanessa's comments. Generally a nice quiet route with some lovely sections, much under cover of trees.

There doesn't seem much value in leaving the Incline path at Middlewood Road and then walking down the pavement-less Green Lane to get to the canal (unless you want the 392 bus stop) and it makes much more sense to us, to continue going along the Incline path all of the way to the canal, or at least as far as the Middlewood Way crossing, and then do a short section on that before re-joining the suggested route.

The section from west of Ryles Wood to the top of Red Lane in Disley forms part of the Hazel Grove-New Mills route too, and we noted Vanessa's comment that the section through Lyme Park is generally only open in daylight hours.

We also agree that the decision to drop down Red Lane into the centre of Disley, and then climb back out again on Buxton Old Road doesn't make much sense unless you want the facilities that Disley centre has to offer. The alternative (keep right at the letter box onto Public Footpath 76, then left onto Footpath 25 past the graveyard, Quaker meeting house - formerly the Ring o'Bells pub - and on to Bentside Road) brings you out just above the Chantry Road junction on the suggested route.

The end of the route in New Mills (after leaving the canal towpath) could also be bettered, unless you particularly want to get to New Mills Central station. Either follow the route as far as the river crossing and then turn right and follow the Millennium Walkway into the Torrs, from where there are a number of routes out into the town centre (the scenic alternative); or, after crossing Albion Road and heading down Wirksmoor Road, keep right at the fork towards the Rock Tavern and then follow the level public footpath that stays above the Torrs, to emerge onto Union Road (the minimal climbing route).

But there is nothing wrong with the route as it stands - these are just alternative courses over part of it that we thought many would find more attractive and interesting.

This is a delightful route along a canal tow-path and through pastures and woods. Measured using a GPS it is a little over 6.5 miles.

There is no right of way across the Lyme Park section. Notices by the gates give opening times (June 2023 8.30 am - 8.00 pm).
In high winds the gates will be closed by the National Trust without warning.

We suggest to avoid some road walking and losing height through Disley, take Disley parish footpath 25 instead of Buxton Old Road and the Disley end of Red Lane. From New Mills turn left where Chantry Road meets Buxton Old Road then right after approximately 30 m. From Poynton turn right off Red Lane before the road starts descending. Footpath 25 is signposted.

We also suggest to avoid the road through residential Higher Poynton, use a section of Macclesfield Canal. Coming from Poynton, at Higher Poynton continue east along the Incline until the canal is reached and then walk south to the next bridge. Cross the bridge and continue east. From New Mills, after crossing the canal near Barlow House Farm, walk north along the tow path for approximately 300 m then turn west onto the Incline.

The path from New Mills Central to the River Goyt is slippery at times. To avoid this, use Station Road between the station and the car park and the track that leads back to the bridge. Another option is to use The Torrs and the Millennium Walkway.

This is a route of two halves: Poynton to Lyme Park has farm tracks and stiles, and possible encounters with cattle. Lyme Park to New Mills is more often paved, using Red Lane to exit the park and then the Peak Forest Canal towpath the rest of the way to New Mills. In both halves, you will occasionally encounter steps to climb, and the access to the canal at New Mills is steep.

The route only takes in the northern edge of Lyme Park (you will see the payment kiosk, not the house) but you do pass through one gate at the Red Lane end which will be locked at closing time, so please check the National Trust website for the park gate times which change seasonally. I consider this gate a slight flaw in the route, so it's not a 5 star.

Mid-route facilities: there are local shops and pubs in Disley, and a detour into Lyme Park is possible to visit the National Trust property.

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