Meet at Greenfield railway station. Parking is limited at the station so park on the road at either Chapel Road or Shaw Hall Bank Road.
This is a linear walk from Greenfield to Newhey.
Leader: Debbie Kelly
My plan is to leave my car at Mumps tram stop and get the 7.52am number 84 bus to Greenfield station. Then I'll get the tram back from Newhey to Mumps tram stop.
I’ve become a stage guardian for the GM Ringway, stage 9. This means I need to promote the route and check that the route is well signposted.
The route includes a total ascent of more than 500 metres. The walk is therefore best suited to experienced walkers. While the initial climb from the canal, via Dobcross village, to Harrop Edge is fairly steep, most of the remaining ascents and descents are more gradual on well-made paths.
Overall, most of the paths used are of good quality (including the partially cobbled canal towpath and the regularly maintained Pennine Way sections).
However, where the GM Ringway leaves the Pennine Way (after the 6-mile/9-km point), the paths on Castleshaw Moor, can be very boggy. The grassy paths used on the optional short diversion to the waterfall in Crompton Fold Country Park can also be very damp. Mud and puddles are also likely to be encountered elsewhere.
There are several stiles to be negotiated on the final 1.5 miles / 2.3 km from Crompton Fold to Newhey.
You will also need to be mindful of vehicles on the approach to Denshaw, where you walk on roads without pavements.
The route is a linear walk so cars can be left at either end of the route or you can get a bus.
More details can be found here - https://www.gmringway.org/routes/stage-9-greenfield-newhey/