The lane was traffic free but there is also a safe path over the hedge. Here it was temping to think the Slow Way took a local unrecorded path, but no, the map confirms green dash lines along a route now uneven and crossed by exposed tree roots. The next path which leaves the lane after crossing the stream was again a bit of a scramble up the hillside especially as the ground was very wet. The alternative recorded path would be the CEW which I did explore and found to be rather overgrown and muddy, it would also involve a lot a main road walking as reported in a review of Hazrom. Back on a recorded path which takes us to the roads of Hazel Grove, passing a few shops it offers a safe crossing of the busy A6 before arriving via a step free station approach but having managed the middle section of this walk, what are a few steps?...

Ken

These roads have a 20mph limit imposed and offer a quiet route to Macclesfield Road where there are a few shops. We can escape from the traffic noise, just, from Towers Road using either an unimproved earth footpath or the residential part of London Road....

Ken

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....

clarke

The walk starts at Hazel grove station and turns onto a stable path, however, it soon descends down towards the stream on very steep unstable and muddy steps. Walking along the stream at Fred Perry Way is lovely but there are pedestrian styles and this walk is not suitable for wheelchairs or prams, it also seems that half of Fred Perry Way has been gated off to prevent access. I would not walk all of it again but the part along the stream I would....

Andrew B

This route crosses the busy A6 and A627 using pedestrian crossings to access Torkington Park. It uses Torkington Rd from where it then accesses the Middlewood Way. Then crosses Marple Golf Course to access the Macclesfield Canal towpath, Marple canal junction and Peak Forest canal. Torkington Rd, is a rural lane with no footpath and you have to be careful as you are faced with the odd oncoming car having to lean into the hedge for them to pass you safely.This route has access problems, more use needs to be made of the Middlewood Way and Macclesfield canal in order to stay off-road. I would not walk this whole route again and if you have access issues such as a bike or wheelchair this route is not suitable....

Andrew B

A walk on a rainy day from Stockport Train station to Hazel Grove Station. Mainly flat other than a section at the beginning up to the War Memorial and Art Centre. Past our ladies catholic church which is spectacular. Walking through Shaw Heath past shops onto Cale Green, Cale green park is not to be missed in any weather and a local popular dog park. Back onto the main road and onto Mirless fields, access to stepping hill via this route is tricky if on a mobility scooter or wheelchair. BAck onto the A6 right through the end at Hazel grove station. I would walk it again but take more time to visit the church and to spend more time in the parks....

Andrew B

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. 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....

Andy Screen

I really enjoyed this beautiful walk. I would suggest it would be nice the 2 railway bridges could do with cleaning the path and sand down the metal and give it paint makes very nice and pleasant start (photo 4) then a little tidy up the path (photo 5 & 10) the rest of the walk specially as you walk with river on your left but when you get to the main road a bit confusing first of all there is a gate on Seal Road (photo 12)that is closed so you have reroute from the main road and then I lost my bearing and took a wrong turn on Dawlish close end up in Milton Road which still took me to Bramhall Lane south. All together a pleasant walk and very nice rout will do it again....

Ali Reza Gerami

This was a nice walk just walking along a section (photo 07) very narrow path then you get to Mill Hill Hollow turn right to Woodford and Chester Road this a little distance of walk was very dangerous (photo Woodford Road) as there is no pavement and as I was walking cross 2 car from either side just got passed me. However, the rest of the walk was nice and pleasant till I got passed the big field on my left (photo 10) came to crossing with no sign, not clear which path to carry on a sign would be helpful on this turning (photo 12)....

Ali Reza Gerami

Lovely walk and safe route , easily accessible for wheelchair use, ideal to take children, would highly recommend...

jake parr

Yes I would walk it again Yes I would suggest this route to others It is reasonably safe It’s accessible...

Zaheer Hussain

Lovely...

jake parr

A delightful flat walk on pavements and footpaths, through the streets and fields between counties. Only one 100m section on an narrow road with high hedges felt a bit hazardous (see pic 1). Got slightly caught out by the gpx sending me into a housing estate but easy to double back and go around....

planroutematt

Parks, grand houses and a surprising amount of greenery keep you motivated to find out whats around the corner. Good pavement throughout with only one major road to cross. The route ventures through an industrial estate before it ends at the train station....

planroutematt

I'm not convinced that the station is the best meeting place for Hazel Grove but will leave that to locals to consider. Easy pavement pounding, past Bramhall station to the pleasant meeting place, seats by the modern church....

Ken

The route is pleasant and quiet, and paved in large parts: it can be divided more or less into 'Torkington Park, cross golf course, Middlewood Way, cross golf course, towpath'....

Lauren G

The route is well plotted so easy to follow, there is one short section of road with no pavement or verge and there could perhaps be cattle but I saw none. Leaving along London Road stay on the right, east side to gain easy access to Poynton Lake which offers some respite from the traffic. A gate allows access to the path alongside the new road, of use only to cyclists I guess so this footpath may be awaiting an upgrade....

Ken

* there is no pedestrian crossing at Dooley Lane after exiting Warren Wood, this is extremely dangerous and the main reason I'm refusing a recommendation * walking alongside fast cars on Dooley Lane and on Offerton Road (both A-roads) is unpleasant...

Lauren G

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. Obstacles: gates, stiles, several flights of stairs (photo 6)...

Lauren G

The last stretch near Hazel Grove passes through an industrial park, (photo 3) but this is a public road with appropriate pavement, and I was there on the weekend so it was very quiet. I was going to recommend this route for pushchairs, but unfortunately at Woodsmoor (photo 2) and again at Hazel Grove (photo 4) you need to navigate flights of stairs where the route has to cross the railway....

Lauren G

Secondly, where the Alan Newton Way meets Vale Road there is a path on the right into the fringe of the woods, with a kissing gate type arrangement, possibly big enough to take a mobility scooter (photo 2) but the path doesn't lead straight up into the woods, it continues along the fringe before turning right off this main path and up three flights of steps (photo 3) to the Peak Forest Canal towpath....

nightauk

The blocked route at the north end of Hazel Grove Golf Course has already been commented....

nightauk

A good route, although access isn't perfect: there are two railway bridges with steps at the Hazel Grove end (photo 1), and there's a muddy stepped path where Wallbank Road meets the nature reserve (photo 2)....

Lauren G

The path running north from Hazel Grove Golf Course towards Holly Farm is blocked - that whole side of the golf course has a hawthorn hedge along it. Reported this to the Ramblers....

Lauren G