Walk leader : Simon D
Walk details : This Sunday’s walk is a 6.75 mile/10.8 kilometer walk set in the Goyt valley. The walk is a circular walk that starts above the Fernilee and Errwood Reservoirs. We descend from our meeting point at The Street Car Park and walk along banks of Fernilee Reservoir (built in 1938) until we meet a country lane which we follow until Knipe Farm. We turn right down the public right of way path and follow the trail down to the banks of the River Goyt where we will have our lunch stop. After our lunch stop we continue along the trail through Hillbridge wood nature reserve and up a wooded slope to a farmer’s field. We cross the farmer’s field up to the village of Taxal which dates back to the 1200’s. At St James’ church Taxal we walk through the cemetery until we cross the River Goyt and begin our return journey. We meander through woodland and fields along the banks of the River Goyt for until we walk up a tarmacked road until we meet Fernillee Reservoir once more. The final part oof our walk is along the banks of Fernilee until walking up the hill to Errwood Reservoir and Goyt’s lane. We walk a short distance along Goyt’s lane crossing between the two reservoirs and up the hill to finish our walk.
Walk details : This Sunday’s walk is a 6.75 mile/10.8 kilometer walk set in the Goyt valley. The walk is a circular walk that starts above the Fernilee and Errwood Reservoirs. We descend from our meeting point at The Street Car Park and walk along banks of Fernilee Reservoir (built in 1938) until we meet a country lane which we follow until Knipe Farm. We turn right down the public right of way path and follow the trail down to the banks of the River Goyt where we will have our lunch stop. After our lunch stop we continue along the trail through Hillbridge wood nature reserve and up a wooded slope to a farmer’s field. We cross the farmer’s field up to the village of Taxal which dates back to the 1200’s. At St James’ church Taxal we walk through the cemetery until we cross the River Goyt and begin our return journey. We meander through woodland and fields along the banks of the River Goyt for until we walk up a tarmacked road until we meet Fernillee Reservoir once more. The final part oof our walk is along the banks of Fernilee until walking up the hill to Errwood Reservoir and Goyt’s lane. We walk a short distance along Goyt’s lane crossing between the two reservoirs and up the hill to finish our walk.
Risk assessment : A risk assessment was carried out on 15 April 2022 . A summary of identified risks is below:-
Covid-19 : please follow the current guidelines
Weather : May weather is usually good but take a rain check on the day
Roads : There is one lane to cross at the start of the walk and Goyt lane at the end of the walk. Whilst the Goyt valley can get busy there are no main roads to navigate
Terrain : The walk is mainly defined walking paths along the banks of Fernilee Reservoir
There is a moderate descent along a narrow footpath at the start of the walk and some moderate ascents and descents both along the route and two short but steeper walks up roads leading to the Reservoirs. There are a few footbridges to cross and one stone footbridge. There are also number of styles to negotiate in the River Goyt section of the walk. The walk is dog friendly in sections but dogs would have to be carried over some styles. The walk is across uneven terrain and possibly muddy. Please wear boots or walking shoes with good ankle support and pack walking clothing suitable for changeable weather conditions.
Weather : May weather is usually good but take a rain check on the day
Roads : There is one lane to cross at the start of the walk and Goyt lane at the end of the walk. Whilst the Goyt valley can get busy there are no main roads to navigate
Terrain : The walk is mainly defined walking paths along the banks of Fernilee Reservoir
There is a moderate descent along a narrow footpath at the start of the walk and some moderate ascents and descents both along the route and two short but steeper walks up roads leading to the Reservoirs. There are a few footbridges to cross and one stone footbridge. There are also number of styles to negotiate in the River Goyt section of the walk. The walk is dog friendly in sections but dogs would have to be carried over some styles. The walk is across uneven terrain and possibly muddy. Please wear boots or walking shoes with good ankle support and pack walking clothing suitable for changeable weather conditions.
Start time and meeting point : Meet at 12.30 at The Street Car Park, POST CODE SK17 6SX (car park overlooks Errwood Reservoir). The Street Car Park has spaces for 80 cars but car sharing is recommended where possible being a bank holiday weekend. There is a layby and there are smaller parking options further away from our meeting point.
Directions to the start : Due to road closures on the A5004 through Whaley Bridge please use the suggested alternative directions from Macclesfield.
From Manchester: Follow A6 and then A523 to Macclesfield and then take A537 after Arighi Bianchi to Ankers Knowl Ln in Cheshire and follow your SatNav and The Street Car Park will be on your right hand side.
From the West: Take the A537 then directions as above.
From the South: Take the A523 then right after Macclesfield station taking the A537 then directions as above.
Please see the google link below for the Macclesfield route https://goo.gl/maps/nYXiN5kjqUtAEavQ8
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.