IN MEMORY OF RACHEL Use the Dark Peak Explorer map OL1 Ref SK 002 871 Allow about 3 hours This is a short walk, about 5 miles, with one fairly short and undemanding hill and some delightful views towards the Kinder area. It’s well within the capabilities of those who prefer a less strenuous walk. As the reader will see, some of it is rather poignant too. The walk starts from the Packhorse Inn, on the left of the minor road from New Mills to Marple. It is advisable to park on the higher car parks so as to allow room for other visitors to the pub. It makes for an excellent start point for walking, and the Inn is geared for walkers as well as having overnight accommodation. It also has an extensive and appetising lunch menu. Walk a short distance back down the road towards New Mills until a footpath sign is reached on the right-hand side of the road. This footpath goes up the hill towards some houses visible in the distance. Make sure you turn around for a brief rest on the climb and admire the views on the other side of the valley. In the distance you can see the heather-covered hills with the streams running off the peaks and the distinct downfall of Kinder can be seen by those with keen eyesight. When we were there, traces of snow could be seen in the many gullies of the high peaks, probably trapped by the prevailing wind.
32
by Peter Jaques www.poynton-ramblers.org.uk
Carrying on to the top of the hill, the footpath skirts a large house called Woodhouse Home and a narrow road is then reached, called Castle Edge Road where you turn right. A short distance on the left is a set of stables which also seem to be used for dog walking. Just after this we took an old quarry road on the left, this is just before a wooded area is reached on the right, which is marked on the Ordnance Survey as a bird sanctuary. Follow this track for about a mile until another farm track is reached on the left which is the route to take. This has many potholes which in wet weather soon fill up with water. The track rises slowly for about a mile until a small metal gate is reached on the left which is passed through. This is a footpath regularly used by cyclists as the tyres leave deep ruts in the path needing care; it was also very muddy when we were there. Soon a trig point was reached and the path veers right through a disused quarry. It is believed that this area was a burial ground in prehistoric times, although no sign of it exists today. After following the path, there appears a large wooden cross which dominates the area being on top of the hill, this is known as Mellor Cross. Unfortunately the top has collapsed, possibly through vandalism, and we were told that there is no money for its repair. There is a narrow, rather rough road beneath the cross and we turned left along it, passing Higher Copston Farm and then Three Chimneys Cattery, until soon the