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Verified Slow Way

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A nice walk which we started at Uppermill and combined with two other Sloways to do a 9m circular route via Springhead/Grotton and Mossley. The climb up out of the valley from Uppermill is quite steep but soon rewarded with views of the village and its impressive mill buildings. Easy to follow and lots of variety - including woodland and grassy farmland paths - with descent to Springhead/Grotton for a short stretch along the main road. A nice Co-op building here, a former hotel we were informed, with some remaining Art Deco features. Shops at both ends of the walk to buy food & drink.

The route crosses the canal and the river and quickly leaves the delightful Uppermill up a fairly steep and steady track. There is a pedestrian level crossing near the start, and then a walled path through woods, with lovely views of the town below. This becomes open grassland with superb views in all directions, including Manchester in the distance. A track heads down to Burnedge Lane.
There is a tricky dogs-leg road crossing, with no verges, and then muddy steps through the wall, to a stile into a field. There is no visible path here, but sneaky views over the wall reveal the lovely Grotton Hall. After passing some mill cottages, the garden-side path (which may be tricky to spot in the opposite direction) descends to a lane which comes out onto the busy road into Grotton and Springhead.
The walking in this area is all really pleasant and this was a very enjoyable route.

A pleasant walk with some quite spectacular views. That said the terrain isn't particularly easy underfoot in places. I walked it on a fine autumn day and I was glad I was wearing good walking boots as some of the tracks are very stony, wet and slippery underfoot. Leaving the bus terminus at Grotton you head up Oldham Road towards Saddleworth, and at the junction with Coverhill Road take a track that heads off to the left. Follow this until it meets another rocky and wet track and turn right up the hill (the Slow Ways map suggests there's an earlier path to the right up the hill but I couldn't find any trace of it. However it's not a long diversion) This track emerges on Platting Road. Cross this and follow Burnedge Lane until a track diverges to the right. It's marked Springfield Farm. There is a fingerpost sign, but this appears to have lost its finger. Follow the track and climb over the wall at the second of two stone ladders. This brings you on to a well defined track across the shoulder of Wharmton hill (There's a TV transmitter to your right) Follow the path until it begins to descend and cross a stile onto a steep, narrow and rocky path, which eventually brings you out on a narrow lane (Ladcastle Road). Cross this and take the track that continues down the hill to a foot crossing across the main Trans Pennine railway at Moorgate. Go across the crossing and shortly afterwards you emerge on a street that leads you into the centre of Uppermill.

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