I walked most of this from Whaley Bridge to Chapel as WhaCha one, but having walked HayCha one in the other direction last year, that alternative route into Chapel seemed much easier than HayCha one, so I decided to create a new route that combines the two. There are still quite a lot of ups and downs, but there are also some fine views. For more detailed descriptions with pictures, see my reviews of WhaCha one and HayCha one....

Hugh Hudson

The western part of the route is excellent, but there was one place where I couldn't see where to cross a wall so retreated and used a road alternative. We follow Bings Road past a few houses before taking the well marked footpath right, which contours around the hill before descending to Western Lane, and has some muddy spots. We leave the lane immediately following Mount Pleasant steeply uphill, then taking the path left, which has more ups and downs before rising fairly steeply to reach the hill road, where we cross a stone stile then take the old rough lane straight on....

Hugh Hudson

An enjoyable route, but I have my doubts about accessibility because there are plenty of rough spots and a couple of steeper places, also pavements that lack drop kerbs or are too narrow for wheelchairs. We take the underpass under the canal into the Tesco car park - there is an option to return to the towpath immediately here - our route chooses to go straight on past the right hand side of the supermarket, where zigzag ramps (with shortcutting steps) take us back up to the Whaley Bridge arm of the canal, which we follow into the basin, from where the meeting point is a short pavement walk (though parts of the pavement are very narrow and lack drop kerbs, so wheeled users would have to use the road)....

Hugh Hudson

There are a couple of dodgy road crossings needed but for the most part, this is a pleasant walk with a jolly nice pub (The Navigation Inn at Bugsworth Basin) to stop at for lunch!...

Susan

We left Whaley Bridge Station along a quiet lane past an almost invisible reservoir onto a footpath through the woods, emerging past some friendly alpacas. Where the path dropped to cross Higher Lane, it was rather indistinct through a field which showed a bit of bog potential, confirmed as we crossed a nice new bridge at the bottom....

Mary Oz

I’m afraid I’m going to fail this otherwise lovely route, because the footpath closure near Hagg Farm and the Middlewood Way, due to a dangerous footbridge, is still (in August 2025) not resolved. I walked from Whaley Bridge to Poynton, and had to devise an alternative route on the hoof. According to Ken it has been closed since 2022, and the absence of any visible footpath on the ground confirms this....

Mary Oz

Walked to Whaley Bridge - this is a nice route with a bit of variation as it uses the old tramway at the start, then you end up on the towpath at Bugsworth Basin....

Lauren G

Not wanting to do ourselves out of extra steps, we took path to the left. Having assured ourselves that our step count would be impressive enough, we turned left at this point rather than going up the tempting flight of steps opposite. The rest of the route follows the Peak Forest canal as far as Whaley Bridge, where there’s an interesting stopping point for coffee in the form of an old boatyard!...

Susan

This route should not be flagged for access – to quote the Slow Ways website “A verified Slow Ways route is not necessarily accessible or suitable for everyone” – only a small percentage of routes are ever going to be fully accessible....

Mary Oz

The first highlight of the walk, on starting along the Peak Forest Tramway Trail, was the amazing double Chapel Milton Viaduct which was spectacular! As we reached the Peak Forest Canal and the very interesting Bugsworth Basin, we were tempted in by the Navigation Inn!...

Mary Oz

This is certainly the most beautiful way to do this route - people seeking a flatter and more direct route are heartily recommended to Newwha One, which goes along the canal....

Lauren G

A real country walk once out of Poynton with hills and moors adding to the stunning National Trust Lyme Park, a hint of canal plus a short section of old rail cycle route. 2024 due to an unsafe bridge just west of the canal crossing, see below for details. In the mean time continue along the MW to the next bridge then use the short link through the recreation ground to the canal towpath to rejoin the Slow Way at the footbridge over the canal (see the picture map). Back on route we continue to climb the path soon becomes a good enclosed path which had been improved, including some boardwalk, by ramblers in memory of a member....

Ken

It's a nice walk with good views either from the top of Eccles pike or while you are contouring round it. Through fields with sheep in and hay meadows. It's a bit overgrown in places towards Chapel....

johnsski

It is a shame you have to (very) briefly walk along the A6 in Furness Vale but there is no alternative route and it is short-lived (and does offer a pub opportunity at the Crossings by the railway station). The awkward stile as you descend into Furness Vale is certainly more difficult than it needs to be (it has been reported to DCC) but in the hope that it can be sorted, I'll give it the benefit of the doubt....

Andy Screen

I'm disappointed this excellent walking route has been flagged, yes I agree it could be improved for some users but that would be a different route. As a walking route with bags of interest along the way this is a five star Slow Way....

Ken

There is a short rough section, some steps and a short section on a busy road with only a narrow verge. I walked from Whaley Bridge and wonder why the route climbs then falls along the old road when the old tramway path might offer a level and step free exit. The name of the new road says it all because the slog up hill continues for three and a half miles ascending a thousand feet from Whaley Bridge....

Ken

This is a very pleasant route with lovely views, mainly through pastures....

Vanessa Hack

There are no stiles, but there is a flight of steps (after crossing Chapel Road in Whaley Bridge) and a lot of the rocky tracks are unsuitable for wheels....

Lauren G

A really nice walk - it does include steep sections, and paths are occasionally faint or unclear on the ground, but there's no complicated navigation here anyway. Reasons to do this walk: lovely views throughout the middle section of the walk, on a nice day you can see as far as central Manchester....

Lauren G

So I did Whaley Bridge - Lyme Park, then Poynton - Lyme Park another day. The east half from Whaley Bridge passes by a reservoir, then ascends through farmland gradually but with occasional steep bits (including steps in some places) to the edge of Lyme Park, before descending down to Lyme Hall....

Lauren G

On the ascent to Taxal Edge, the route as published has an offgrid section linking a lower and an upper path but which traverses scrubland. This makes for rough walking and has the potential to disturb nesting birds. I have proposed an amended route which overcomes this issue....

MacHiker

Pedestrians, keep an ear out for bike bells while you're admiring the excellent views out over the valley, or the pretty canal barges with the daft names....

Lauren G

Choose this route for the straightest route between the two towns, but there is a nice more rural option using a section of the Midshires Way along the Goyt valley (waymarked and on OS maps)....

DerbyshireBBguide

Crossing the Peak Forest canal at its junction with the Whaley Bridge arm of the canal (photo 2). The narrow footbridge in Whaley Bridge canal basin (photo 4) I'm not sure of the width of push chairs and mobility scooters.....

nightauk

Lovely scenery, including New Mills Torrs and distant views of Kinder Scout.some sections of unmade path, potential to be boggy. Some tricky styles and steep steps....

Sally Hunter