Manchester Weekend Walkers lead public transport walks into fantastic countryside all year round.
This walk traces the entire course of the watercourse that is variously known as the Bollinhurst, Norbury, Lady and Micker Brook.
We start by ascending through Lyme Park to the area just outside the park where the brook's source can be found. Our route will deviate from the brook where there are no public footpaths, or where there are unacceptably poor paths, but otherwise we follow it all the way to the point it joins the River Mersey on the Cheadle/Didsbury border.
Our route takes us through several parks and other urban green spaces. The route essentially comprises a circular section in and around Lyme Park, followed by a longer linear section.
The first section of the walk involves a fairly significant ascent. Although it is possible to bail out at several places, such as when we pass close to the stations at Disley, Middlewood, Hazel Grove and Cheadle Hulme, anyone attempting any part of this walk will need a high level of fitness. This is because we need to maintain a good pace to finish before sunset at around 18:30.
Some sections are hard surfaced paths, but expect mud in other areas.
No dogs please, other than registered assistance dogs, due to the livestock we may encounter.
Route includes a footbridge over a dual carriageway and a road crossing of the M60, so may not suit anyone with severe vertigo.
Train-based walk
Leader: Martin, joining train at Hazel Grove
Ascent: 400 metres
Transport to Walk Start: 08:51 train from Manchester Piccadilly station (final destination Buxton).
Meet Point: Near the ticket barriers at Piccadilly Station. Alternatively, meet the group on the train or at Disley Station.
Suggested Ticket: GM Rail Ranger £8.20, or System One Train & Tram One Day Travelcard £9.70 if you wish to return from East Didsbury by tram. (At time of writing, a limited number of advance single train tickets were available for £3.50 (Manchester to Disley) and £2 (East Didsbury to Manchester).
Walk Start: Disley Train Station at 09:25. Driving to Walk Start not recommended - unless you only do the circular section of the route - as there is no transport link between the start and end points. Drivers may wish to park at Stockport Station and catch the train to Disley from there, then return from East Didsbury to Stockport by bus at the end of the walk.
Waypoints: Lyme Hall, Lantern Wood, Higher Moor, Cock Knoll, Alternative Gritstone Trail, Gritstone Trail, Bollinhurst Reservoir, Horse Coppice Reservoir, Brookside Farm, North Cheshire Way, Middle Wood, Middlewood Way, Middlewood village, New House Farm, Highgate Farm, Mill Lane Woods, Mill Lane, Mill Hill Hollow, Happy Valley, Bramhall Park, Seven Arches, Birchfields Park, Mill Lane Cemetery, Manchester Road, Waterside Hotel, River Mersey, Kingsway.
Return Services: From East Didsbury: x:16, x:32 & x:41 until 21:41, 21:47, 22:14, 22:32, 23:16, 22:55.
Extra: No toilets at walk start. Toilets en route at Lyme Park, Brookside Garden Centre and Bramhall Park. Optional post-walk drinks.
