Lyme Park and Gritstone Trail

Walk leader : Geraint W

Walk grading : Moderate

Walk details : A variation on last year’s Lyme Park walk, this is a circular walk of approximately 8Km / 5 miles starting at Disley Station and ending in Disley village, taking us along part of the Gritstone Trail, around and through Lyme Park and *hopefully* offering some great views towards Manchester and over the Peak District. The walk starts at the start poinh of the Gritstone Trail where we will climb a fairly long flight of steps onto Red Lane, from there we follow Green Lane passing through Millenium Wood and on to Mudhurst Lane, a narrow but busy road, where we will need to walk SINGLE FILE for about 700m. Other than that and some walking on quiet lanes at the start and end of the walk we will mainly be following paths or tracks. Most of the walk will be fairly easy but there will be a few steep ascents /descents which may be challenging for some (total ascent / descent about 225m). The terrain is generally good but there could be some muddy patches particularly if there has been rain during the week. Dogs are welcome on the walk but bear in mind that it is lambing season so they must be kept on a lead. Also please follow National Trust guidlines / signage particularly when we are walking near deer or livestock. Also https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/lyme/visiting-lyme-with-your-dog. There are a couple of easy stiles along the route. Walking boots recommended for this walk.
Unlike last year we won’t be stopping at the lantern but will continue slightly further up the hill and follow the path along the boundary of Lantern wood, where we will have our lunch stop before descending to the hall and the Timber Yard cafe where there are toilets. Other than the cafe, there are no shops or facilities along the route so please bring food and drink for the lunch stop. Depending on time we may be able to stop at the cafe for a brew.  At the end of the walk the plan is to meet up with some of our non-walking members for a get together and a drink at the Ram’s Head pub.

Risk assessment : A risk assessment was carried out on 6 June, the risks identified were as follows – There are no particular risks on this walk, the second half of the walk takes place in National Trust park land and the standard of paths and tracks is good, these are steep in places so please be prepared for these (we will take our time on these). We will need to walk along a stretch of narrow but fairly busy road and SINGLE FILE walking will be nesessary here (walk leader and back marker will wear yellow vests for this section).  At the start and end of the walk and possibly in the park itself, we will be walking on narrow roads / lanes, traffic should be very light but we need to be aware of it and walk together on one side of the road. There may also be cyclists in parts so please be aware and listen out for their bells (and the shouts of fellow walkers). Please ensure that you are dressed and equipped properly for the weather on the day – it is very exposed up there and can be colder than you might expect, conversley it is the middle of June so come prepared with sun screen and plenty of water.

Start time and meeting point : Meet at Disley station at the start of the Gritstone Trail.  Start time 12:30 (we’ll wait for the train due at 12:21 if it’s delayed).

Directions to the start : Disley is on the A6 about 6 miles south of Stockport. On Thursday there were “Road Closed Ahead” signs along the A6 after Hazel Grove but the closure was at Disley after our meeting point (ie the Disley to New Mills part of the A6).

Parking : there may be limited on street parking in Disley, but not much.  There are three car parks next to each other – the pub car park; the station car park and a third small car park in between. The third, centre, car park is the only one which doesn’t appear to have restictions so please check before parking there.
Access is on the left as you drive towards the sation, just before the scout hut. As always, consider train travel or car sharing.

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Public transport : Trains from Manchester Piccadilly to Disley at 10:47 (arr 11:17) or 11:49 (arr 12:21). Return trains to Manchester at 23 minutes past the hour.

Contact number on the day : 

Booking : Book your walk here

Changes and cancellation :  Very occasionally, due to severe weather or another serious event, a walk may be cancelled. In these instances, a note will be added to the website at least TWO HOURS before the start time. So, do check the website before you set out, and if in doubt use the walk leader’s mobile contact number. Every effort will be made to contact you should a walk be cancelled.