GM Ringway, Stage 6

In the beginning.....

From the Greater Manchester Ringway website:

The GM Ringway is Greater Manchester’s walking trail.

"Designed around existing footpaths, parks and waterways, the GM Ringway connects residents and visitors with the city-region’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Green in every way, all 20 stages of the 200-mile (322-km) route are easily accessed by public transport."

This route has been on my 'to-do' list for a while, but it was a post on Ultreia Mancunia that finally kicked me into action. I joined two members, Andrew and Sue, on Stage 6, Strines to Marple. 

My plan to meet Andrew and Sue at Strines station was sabotaged by Northern Trains, who once again lived up to expectations by cancelling my train - with 15 minutes notice. I legged it back home and leapt into my car, getting to Strines at 10am, as arranged.

I was quite familiar with much of the route, Cheshire Tally-Ho! Hare & Hounds cross country running club can sometimes be seen running around, apparently aimlessly, as they attempt to follow a trail of clumps of sawdust that should direct them to a pub with a tin bath filled with mucky, soapy water.

We set off, uphill, to Brookbottom (there seem to be an awful lot of bottoms in this area), following the green and white signs, then on to Mellor Cross for a photo shoot.

 

 

 (No idea why this won't centre align, take it up with Google / Blogger)

We had nice views over to Kinder as we walked east along the muddy (in parts) Black Lane, before eventually turning north along Pole Lane and Shiloh Lane. These are green lanes / tracks, rather than 'country lanes' - I wouldn't want to drive along them!

 Mellor Church was next, soon followed by a pub stop in Mellor itself. I don't drink beer whilst out walking, a pint of tap water suited me perfectly.

Then on through Linnet Clough scout camp, and descending to Bottom's Hall (another bottom).

South through the un-Roman Roman Lakes, and then following the R Goyt as far as Strawberry Hill...where we climbed up hill. Although not up Strawberry Hill. 

North along the Peak Forest Canal tow-path, which, after a bit of jiggery-pokery, took us to Marple railway station, and a train back to Strines - a linear distance of about 2 miles. We'd walked a little over 8 miles, with around 1000ft of ascent.

Thanks to Andrew and Sue for allowing me to tag along, they were great company - and even laughed at my joke.....although perhaps they were just being polite ;-)

I now need to catch up with them, starting with Stage 1, St Peter's Square in Manchester, to Sale Water Park.

 Where we went:

 8.3 miles, 1000ft(ish) of ascent