Permission to use permissive path around SJ 98915 72276 Torgate Farm to Cat and Fiddle Inn has been withdrawn. Path now closed and removed from recent OS maps....

Ken

I have to fail it because it uses what was a permissive path and that permission has been withdrawn. Care is needed to take the path left leaving the track to the farm. Our path is now on the perimeter of the golf course and at times shares paths used by club member but fails to offer guidance when our ways part. At a junction we should turn right onto a walkers only path but it was closed due to fallen trees. At the east end of the closed path fallen trees were evident across the path creating a substantial wall. Approaching Torgate Farm our route takes what was, on older maps, a permissive path. After the gate a series of erect waymark posts and a faint walked path took a direct line to the mast near the Cat and Fiddle so rather than following the plot, which had been marked as a permissive path I stay with the signs....

Ken

Part of this route is inaccessible (section alongside the Macclesfield canal). Please see Macdan two for an alternative route...

Matthew Axford

Please note message on the Ship Inn (Danebridge / Wincle end of the route) website, Aug 2025: "The Ship Inn is Temporary Closed until further notice"....

Matthew Axford

After turning away from the canal the route follows footpaths through a housing estate before crossing the river Dane, passing a small industrial estate (while still following the River Dane) and then enters Congleton Town Park, after the park you cross the A54 Mountbatten Way and the route then finishes at Congleton Bus Station....

Ian Morton

Peaceful canalside woods, little pastures, some lovely old locks and beautiful curvaceous stone bridges on the Telford-designed canal. The route out of Congleton is sensible too, weaving through a nice park and on quiet residential streets before getting you onto the canal....

Patrick Barkham

The route is almost entirely on the canal, making it super-easy to navigate....

danravenellison

Another route option (maybe not as wheel-friendly but more picturesque) would be to rejoin the Macclesfield Canal towpath via Clarence Road (where PoyBol1 route ends) and continuing towards Macclesfield before heading down to Macclesfield Station (the end of this section) just after passing under the A537 at the Puss in Boots Inn....

Ian Morton

The finish in Macclesfield uses busy roads, perhaps the route would be better from Macclesfield to Wilmslow....

PD1

During the walk I was diverted onto a permissive path, which although narrow in places was passable and included a stretch alongside the river Dane....

Mick Cotton

I found the choosing the least marshy route increasingly hard, the nearer I got to Wilmslow. I wondered if the route would have been better served had it continued with the BVW to the main road into Wilmslow but the route it does follow past a weir was probably the nicer option and not much less direct....

David Sanderson

Wondered about whether the A523 would have been a better way in to Macclesfield, but it would only save you about 700m of distance and the section of canal beyond is a lovely stretch (and not plagued by the noise of said road!)....

David Sanderson

However, there is a section just to south of Prestbury where you are instructed to leave the main footpath and follow a track to cut off a corner of the route....

David Sanderson

An easy to follow wark starting on the well marked path out of Macc by the side of (but mostly out of sight of) the Silk Road, then crosses over the Silk Road on a rather fine foot bridge. The Rout then joins the old railway line to a viaduct, ending with a short stroll up Bollington high street. Nice little stroll....

David Greenaway

This route is an significant improvement over the MacBux1 route, cutting out the unnecessary climb to Tegg's Nose and avoided walking along busier roads. It is a scenic route but remains a challenging walk, with over 700m (2300ft) of ascent, which is unavoidable given the nature of the terrain between these two towns. The stated 12 miles is accurate between the two rail stations....

MacHiker

A lovely hilly stroll across fields, down some lanes and a couple of main roads. Ground is decent under foot in sun....

planroutematt

A pleasant start to the walk using back streets rather than the well used Buxton main road....

Rocket

Nice easy route, Especially as far as Prestbury (good for a coffee stop)....

Bill Savin

Lovely recommended stroll along the towpaths and fields from Macclesfield to Gawsworth....

planroutematt

It's accessibility and flat gradient make it popular on sunny weekends. A great alternative to the busy duel carriageway and enjoy the journey from Macc to Boll at a leisurely pace....

planroutematt

This follows the Middlewood Way, a reused railway line, creating a lovely path off the main road for walkers and cyclists. Accessible, as it is designed with cyclists in mind....

Kateos