18/02/2026

Chinley






 


Chinley Churn

18th February 2026

CHINLEY, CHINLEY CHURN, CHINLEY QUARRY, SOUTH HEAD (NEARLY), NEW SMITHY

Distance: 8.53 miles Ascent/descent: 1495 ft

Difiiculty: Moderate. One long climb

Weather: Windy

Walkers: Etta.

Alternative walkers: Jock Rooney & Millie

Leader: Russell, Diarist: Russell

Starting point: Old Hall Inn, Chinley, SK23 6EJ, parking on the bridge over bypass

Starting time: 9.40am Finishing time: 1.30pm

This Weeks Route:

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/27653535/wednesday-wanderers--chinley-chinley-churn-

south-head?lat=53.34269&lon=-1.93201&zoom=14.7703&style=Standard&type=2d

I have saved this walk for public consumption. Anyone can follow the route using the OS app,

providing you have a registered account (Free) in future.



The word of the day was Windy, last time we did this walk we were in the middle of a heatwave! It started OK but as we got higher up the wind increased and the temperature dropped, we persevered. It must have been 30mph winds on the Churn.

We dropped down toward South Head and then had a rather muddy return back to the pub.


Next week’s walk will be led by Mike, starting from New Mills Leisure Centre, SK22 4PU with refreshments in the Masons Arms approx 1.30pm.



Happy Wandering!










11/02/2026

Danebridge

 




DaneBridge / Wincle

11th Feb 2026

DANEBRIDGE, WINCLE, ALL MEADOWS, HELMESLY ROCKS, BURNTCLIFF TOP, GRADBACH, LUDS CHURCH, HANGING STONE, WINCLE BREWERY.

Distance: 7.05 miles Ascent/descent: 1742 ft

Difiiculty: Moderate. Hilly

Weather: Fine & dry

Walkers: Andrew Blease, Steve Brearley, Julian Ross, Russell Spencer.

Alternative walkers: Jock Rooney - No Milly (poorly)

Leader: Russell, Diarist: Russell

Starting point: Danebridge (on the bridge). SK11 0QE

Starting time: 9.40am Finishing time: 13.30pm





This Weeks Route:

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/30603547/wednesday-wanderers-wincle?

lat=53.19342&lon=-2.04823&zoom=13.424&style=Leisure&type=2d


I have saved this walk for public consumption. Anyone can follow the route using the OS app, providing you have a registered account (Free) in future.


A small turnout this week left the 4 amigos to trot off into the predicted weather, which may have had an effect on turnout. 


The downpour that was forecast never properly arrived and we had a few light showers until the last ½ mile or so. The going was slippy (as Steve found out) and muddy, but since it has rained every day this year it was to be expected. We weren’t quite sure what work was being carried out in the cutting on the way down into Danebridge at the end of the walk, but

with the rain it looked like a battlefield from the Somme.


We met Jock in the brewery bar (nice log fire) and had some refreshments.


Next week’s walk will be led by Russell, starting at Chinley, bridge over the bypass, SK23 6EJ and

back to The Paper Mill for refreshments approx 1.30-2.00


Happy Wandering!















04/02/2026

Rowarth

 









Rowarth Circular

4th Feb, 2026

ROWARTH CAR PARK, NEAR SLACK, FAR SLACK, COOMBES TOR, PENNINE BRIDLEWAY, LANTERN

PIKE, BIRCH VALE, LITTLE MILL

Distance: 8.57 (9.02 actual) miles, Ascent/descent: 1390 ft

Difiiculty: Moderate. One long climb

Weather: Overcast but dry

Walkers: Andrew Blease, Steve Brearley, Mike Cassini, Hughie Hardman, Julian Ross, Russell Spencer, Simon Williams, Keith Welsh, Cliff Worthington.

Alternative walkers/Drinkers: Peter Beal, Tom Cunliffe, Jock Rooney with Milly

Leader: Russell, Diarist: Russell

Starting point: Rowarth Public Car Park, SK22 1EF

Starting time: 9.40am Finishing time: 13.45pm

This Weeks Route:

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/30517054/wednesday-wanderers--rowarthlantern-

circular-040226?lat=53.38921&lon=-1.99103&zoom=13.432&style=Leisure&type=2d

I have saved this walk for public consumption. Anyone can follow the route using the OS app, providing you have a registered account (Free) in future.


A reasonable turnout for this weeks walk, however this was soon to be cut down as half way up the first climb, Cliff was not feeling it and on the advice of others returned to the car park, where

Andy kindly drove him back home. (they both changed and returned to the pub later).

It was an initial hike up, but once on the tops, afforded great views, when not in cloud. 


We made good pace on this walk, not having to cut short as previous walks. We passed a couple of larger groups (mixed gender) en route, and several comments were raised about our lack of female

company, which we batted off with a few classic replies (they’re doing the ironing etc….).


We decided not to go over Lantern Pike, but around and back to the Mill, the ground had been good to us apart from the last ¼ mile through a farm which was knee deep in mud, hey ho.


We then joined the alternatives in the Mill for refreshments. It is also to be noted that Mr Beale successfully walked to the pub and back, a total of 6 miles which hopefully means he is working his way back to full walks soon.


Next week’s walk will be led by Russell, starting at Danebank, near Wincle Brewery, SK11 0QE. Start time 9.40, meeting for refreshments in the brewery around 1.00-1.30


Happy Wandering!









28/01/2026

Litton





Red Lion Litton

January 28th 2026

 

LITTON MIRES LANE WARDLOW MIRES PETERS STONE TANSLEY DALE CRESSBROOK DALE RAVENSDALE MILLERS DALE RAVENSTOR TIDESWELL DALE LITTON DALE 

Distance: 6.82 miles.

 

Difficulty: Moderate

Weather: Cold misty and sunny

 Walkers: Andy Blease Steve Brearley Mike Cassini, Hughie Hardiman Jim Riley (with Flossy and Jasper) Julian Ross Russell Spencer Keith Welsh Cliff Worthington.

Alternative walker: Jock Rooney with Milly. 

Leaders: Cassini Diarist: Cassini

Starting point: Red Lion Litton

Starting time: 10.00am. Finishing time: 1pm.





This walk was largely a repeat of the suggestion by Kieran that took place in August last year with a noticeable difference.


An equally beautiful day for walking as in the summer just a bit colder but with a touch more water following the recent storm. Leaving Litton and walking along Mires Lane, turning right into Wardley Dale which would eventually lead us through Cressbrook Dale, Millers Dale and Tideswell Dale. We had to backtrack initially to account for the huge body of water that flowed through the various dales (valleys).

Once the decision was taken that it would not be possible to cross the torrent  and we returned to the far side of the Dale, the trip was reasonably straight forward and tea was taken just past Ravensdale cottages These are two terraces of cottages built by William Newton to house the workers at Cressbrook Mill they date from 1823 and are Grade II listed buildings.

A slight unenforced detour took us to the top of Millers Dale by-passing Cressbrook Hall but giving a great view of the Dale. From here it was through Millers and Tideswell Dale back up the slope into Litton and Beer in the Red Lion.

Next week Russell will lead from Rowarth car park SK22 1EF @ 9:40 back for beers at Little Mill 1;30-2pm.