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!

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. 

 

New Mills

 January 21st 2026

NEW MILLS, THE TORRS RIVERSIDE PARK, GOYT VALLEY, GOWHOLE FARM, OLLERSETT MOOR, LITTLE RIDGE FARM, THE SETT VALLEY TRAIL, THE MASONS ARMS AT NEW MILLS

Distance: 6.57miles

Ascent/descent: 893/878ft

Difficulty: One manageable climb

Weather: Overcast, occasional drizzle, strong wind on high ground

Walkers; Steve Brierley, Mike Cassini, Stuart Kitchen, Hughie Hardiman

Leader: Cassini Diarist: Cassini 

Starting point: New Mills Leisure Centre

Starting time: 9.35am. Finishing time: 12;30. 

The threat of rain and generally bad weather put off a number of potential walkers which was a shame as although overcast and windy,  rain was not a problem,with some clear blue skies and a rainbow when we reached the hills above Hayfield. We decided to cut short the walk in Hayfield as the promised rain /sleet was anticipated towards the afternoon.

Starting at New Mills leisure centre this walk is largely based one led by Alan Hart in May 2023 when the weather was slightly more favourable. Leaving the leisure centre we continued through the Torrs park past Gowhole Farm and onto Ladypit Lane, where we began our ascent to Ollersett Moor past farms and through fields and woodland.

At the top of the moor by the TV mast we decided that rather than extend walking to account for the time spent in The Kinder Lodge on the walk on which this one is based, we would head back via the Sett Valley trail which enabled us to reach the Masons Arms by 12:30 where we could have had £3 pints but settled for Farmers Blonde at £3:80.

 

Next weeks walk has been suggested to start in Litton and follow a circular route via Cromford Mill though again this is only a short 6.79 miles finishing last time at 12:20- all alternatives welcome!

Bollington

No

 Bollington Circular

January 14, 2026

BOLLINGTON, SOWCAR, BLAZE HILL, GINCLOUGH, RAINOW, KERRIDGE HILL, KERRIDGE,

BOLLINGTON VIADUCT

Distance: 8.7 miles Ascent/descent: 1525 ft

Difiiculty: Moderate.

Weather: Fine & dry

Walkers: Andrew Blease, Steve Brearley, Mike Cassini, Colin Davison, Hughie Hardman, Stuart Kitchen, Russell Spencer, Simon Williams, Keith Welsh, Cliff Worthington.

Alternative walkers: Jock Rooney with Milly

Leader: Russell, Diarist: Russell

Starting point: Bollington Recreation Ground Car Park, SK10 5JT

Starting time: 9.40am Finishing time: 1.30pm

This Weeks Route:

https://explore.osmaps.com/route/30258921/wednesday-wanderers--bollington-circular?

lat=53.29022&lon=-2.10793&zoom=13.5602&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 good turnout for this weeks walk, total of 10 which was great. There was a bit of street walking through Bollington to get to some footpaths into the hills, we passed through Sowcar and to the bottom of Blaze Hill, it was here that Colin decided to go it alone as he felt he might hold us up on the hills. We trekked on following the route which was fairly straight forward and uneventful. 

We stopped by a small river for Pie Time just outside Rainow and then headed back to Bollington via the canal and to the Vale Inn pub, where we met Jock and after a phone call located Colin who was awol. 9.40am

Happy Wandering!

Next week’s walk will be led by Mike, starting from New Mills Leisure Centre, SK22 5PU. Start time