Gritstone Trail From Bollington

Introduction

So, this is my first blog for 7 weeks.

Some weeks away, a trip to the Test cricket, and a nasty bout of shingles followed by a nasty bout of Covid 19 have all interrupted my usual pattern of weekly walks.

I’ve missed the really hot weather that would have been too hot for hill walking, and enjoyed the pleasant temperature today. It was however, mostly overcast.

So, it’s a moderately short walk in familiar countryside today as I step back into action!

It’s just a 20 minute drive from Cheadle Hulme to Bollington to start the walk on Spuley Lane.

The walk is 4miles with 625feet of ascent.

It took 2 hours 15 minutes to complete the walk.

The walk is OK for dog walking, with lengthy sections along fenced or walled tracks. The highest part did include a large open area of sheep pasture..

I walked in an anticlockwise direction.

The whole walk is on both OS Explorer Maps 268 and OL24.

I parked in the layby on Spuley Lane, postcode SK10 5DE, What 3 Words scorched.nests.blast

Hedge Row

The verge opposite the lay-by was full of blackberries, and had a backdrop of Nab Head hill.

I set off up Hedge Row, passing the former Cheshire Hunt Inn. I ignored the Gritstone Trail path to the left which would be my return route, and proceeded past several farmhouses.

I also passed this Land Rover (pic, left), which I featured in my walk on 7 September 2023 to Billinge Hill and Rainow pic, right). No change there then!

There are splendid views across the Harrop Brook valley.

A little way further is a path to the right which was my route 2 years ago, so now I was in new territory. Arriving at the brook, I crossed the first stone slab bridge, but not the second bridge (last picture below).

Harrop Wood To Bakestonedale Road

I took the path to the right up the hill, through delightful woodland.

This carving was now past its best, but still a recognisable woodpecker.

There were also some woodland musical instruments lurking alongside the path, this one and a giant wooden xylophone.

There are some fine old trees and beautiful paths with views down to the brook along here.

Finally, the path met the brook, and this rogue disused bridge caused me some confusion, before I spotted its replacement to my right!

Now, I was beyond the woods and the panoramic views appeared as I rose up to Further Harrop Farm.

The farm drive is quite steep, but comfortable walking before the route leaves it to the left where the horses were loitering.

The Gritstone Trail

Bakestonedale Road is quite busy and narrow, so this short section has to be taken with care. The Gritstone Trail leads off into open sheep pasture just after the farm buildings. I had to keep a careful eye out for the footpath signs as they don’t follow the obvious tracks across here.

From here the folly that is White Nancy atop the Kerridge Ridge is a prominent, if distant waymarker over here.

There are stunning views in several directions as the Gritstone Trail descends from here.

After skirting a beech wood, the path drops down across a field to a pond.

These fields were supporting an enormous mixed flock of swallows and house martins, so must have been full of insect life. I captured quite a lot on this photo, by simply pointing the camera at the sky, though you may need to zoom in to see them, as they are just black dots!

Past the pool another of those pretty little stone bridges took me back over the brook, before I met up with my outbound route on Hedge Row.

This is a really lovely short walk on good paths.

The climb is never too steep, and with lots to see you won’t be disappointed if you give it a try.

And Finally….

The beautiful chestnut mare at Further Harrop Farm on my header picture reminded me of this old favourite from 1970, Chestnut Mare by The Byrds.