The Goyt Valley (11/06/2011)

Eight o'clock, and Dave Gosling, Dave Wright, Frank & Norman from South Pennine group joined John in Stockport's Mersey Square.  After waiting ten minutes for stragglers, we set off up Wellington Road North, soon turning off to pass through Heaton Norris Recreation Ground and Dodge Hill to Tiviot Dale.  Crossing over the River Tame, we reached its confluence with the Goyt, where they become the Mersey, beside the M60 motorway.  We now followed the Fred Perry Way alongside the Goyt, across Portwood, beside Asda, to cross Newbridge Lane, St Mary's Way & New Zealand Rd and enter Vernon Park.  Crossing into Woodbank Park, we now joined the Midshires Way, passing through the woods high above the river. Crossing over just before the Poise Brook, we then continued along the bridleway to Otterspool. Here, just before the road bridge, Stockport's first hydro-electric power scheme is to be built.

Crossing the road, we then entered the Chadkirk estate, entering the woods above the ancient chapel, dedicated to St Chad of Lichfield & Chester fame.  We arrived at the Peak Forest canal just before it disappears into the Hydebank tunnel; following the lanes above ground, we rejoined the canal, soon passing over the renowned Marple Aqueduct, with the Goyt flowing 100ft beneath.  Reaching the start of Marple Locks, we stopped by No 3 lock for a coffee-break.  Continuing to the top lock, we crossed the bridge over the start of the Macclesfield Canal, then headed back downhill to rejoin the river at the Roman Lakes (unknown to the Romans, but actually constructed to supply Samuel Oldknow's Mellor Mill, long-demolished).

Shortly afterwards we left the Midshires Way to cross back over the Roman Bridge (no more Roman than the Lakes) and back up through Strines to follow the canal for a mile or so, passing Turflea Lift bridge, which would not look out of place in Amsterdam.  We dropped back down to Strines Rd at Woodend, soon turning off along a path to meet the river once more.  Skirting alongside the paper mill, we came out on Waterside Road, crossing Hague Bridge to enter Mousley Bottom nature reserve, rejoining the Midshires Way.  Passing the reed beds, we entered the Torrs Riverside Park in its ravine through the middle of New Mills, along the Millennium Walkway, to the hydro-electric Archimedean screw (currently out of action) at the confluence with the River Sett, where we stopped for dinner.

Leaving New Mills, we left the Midshire Way once more to continue alongside the Goyt, through Gowhole to Peathill, where we crossed over the river to follow the canal for its final mile, passing the Bugsworth Branch on the way.  At its terminus in Whaley Bridge, we found the Water Weekend fair in full swing.  We stopped to chat with the ladies staffing the "Goyt Valley Striders" stall - they turned out to be a running club, well familiar with the Bullock Smithy.  Dave G & Frank were persuaded to have a go on the tombola, on the understanding that they would not win anything they couldn't carry in their rucksacks.  Fortified with the resulting Kendal Mint Cake & compass, we carried on our way.  Crossing the main road and passing under the railway by Wharf Road, we reached the Memorial Park alongside the river, then climbed up beside the Todd Brook Reservoir dam to reach Reddish Farm.  Crossing Macclesfield Road, we entered some woods near a school, soon arriving at Taxal.

Turning sharp left by the magnificent church of St James, we descended again to cross over the Goyt, then followed the river valley through Shallcross Wood then open meadows, to cross backover the river and climb up to Knipe Cottage.  From here, it was just a mile along the farm track until we reached the Fernilee Dam.  Although our watches (and stomachs) told us it was time for a coffee-break, we didn't fancy stopping at the roadside, so we continued through the woods along the bank of Fernilee Reservoir (sadly depleted after this spring's drought), to reach Errwood Dam.  We stopped for coffee at last, at a picnic table next to the car park.

Into the final leg now, we followed the road beside Errwood Reservoir (also half-empty).  Past Shooter's Clough Bridge, below the site of the former Errwood Hall, we took the hillside path, then crossed back over the road to follow the riverside path to the old Goytsclough Quarry.  Up and along the hillside again, up Goyt's Clough and we rejoined the road once more.  Passing Foxhole Hollow, crossing Derbyshire Bridge and turning sharp right past the Ranger station, we finally reached the sources of the Goyt in the moors below the Cat & Fiddle Road; a short distance further along, and we reached the famous old pub itself.

Distance: 24 miles,  Time: 8 hours 55 minutes.  Weather: mostly fine, with the odd shower.