Cheshire Walkers Walks Programme: October 2014 to March 2015 http://www.cheshirewalkers.org.uk/ Part of North and Mid Cheshire area Cheshire Walkers is THE walking group covering North & Mid Cheshire and the surrounding area. Who are we? Formed in 1999, and originally a 20s-30s group, we are a walking group affiliated to the Ramblers and part of the North & Mid Cheshire Area. As time has moved on, we have dropped the age restriction and anybody is welcome to walk with us. In practice, most of the regulars in the group are 30s-40s. Sunday 05 October 2014: Cheshire: The Cloud Description: A straightforward walk up the Cloud, along the Gritstone Trail, and the surrounding countryside. Walk length: 11 miles Walk grade: Easy Start point: Car park in Timbersbrook. Nearest post code: CW12 3PP Leader: Charles Sunday 12 October 2014: North Wales : Snowdon via the Watkin Path Description: Ascent of Snowdon (1085m) using the Watkin Path & return on Bwlch Main & Clogwyn Du. This is a challenging but rewarding way to reach the summit of Snowdon, involving steep paths & some scrambling. Sorry this walk is only open to existing members who have completed at least one moderate or strenuous walk with the group. Walk length: 8 miles Walk grade: Strenuous Start point: Car park at Bethania Leader: Nigel Sunday 19 October 2014: Bollington: Deer Spotting Description: This walk forms part of the week long Bollington Walking Festival … Starting from the heart of Bollington at Adlington road car park, we will walk along the recreation ground and through Bollington along the Gritstone trail to Sponds hill and the Bowstones , with spectacular panoramic views. Dropping down into Lyme park through knights wood we will walk thourhg the Fallow Deer enclosure to the house where there will be refreshments and conveniences. It is likely that "the cage" will be open to view red deer in the park before walking to west park gate across farmland to return along the middlewood way and canal. As similar walk this time last year saw a dramatic stand off between two of the Fallow deer stags. Sadly the Mr Darcy model is no longer resident in the pond at Lyme Park, the scene of the period drama 'Pride and Prejudice" (just to avoid disappointment). Walk length: 12 miles Walk grade: Strenuous Start point: SK10 5JT Adlington road car park Leader: Tracy Sunday 26 October 2014: Peak District: Lyme Park circuit Description: Initially skirting the park, we'll walk via Bollinhurst Reservoir onto Black Rocks ridge. Then down past the old Moorside Hotel to start a climb up Sweet Hill onto Sponds Hill. The Gritstone Trail will then take us to Bowstonegate and the entrance to the Park. More deer spotting may be possible in the Park as we take in the Hall and the Cage folly. Walk length: 7-8 miles Walk grade: Easy Start point: Disley Station car park (SK12 2AE) Leader: Ade Sunday 02 November 2014: Hilbre Island, Wirral Description: We will walk along a section of the Wirral Way to West Kirby, out to Hilbre Island and then back via Caldy Hill and Thurstaston Common. The walk out to Hilbre Island is across a large area of sand that is covered every high tide. The sand can sometimes have standing water on it after the tide has ebbed so walking boots are recommended (if you wear trainers you will get wet feet). Please bring lunch and gloves/scarf/hat as the walk to Hilbre Island is rather bracing if there is a cold wind blowing. Waterproofs recommended. Walk length: 11 miles Walk grade: Moderate Start point: Wirral Country Park, Thurstaston Centre Car Park Leader: Claire Cailes Sunday 09 November 2014: Peak District : Burbage Rocks & Padley Gorge Description: The walk takes in many of the highlights of the Peak District National Park in the vicinity of the Longshaw Estate. The walk incorporates stunning views, tors, moorland, woodland, water, an ancient fort and even a National Trust cafe. Walk length: 11 miles Walk grade: Moderate Start point: Hay Wood, Car Park off the A625 near the Grouse Inn, Longshaw, S11 7TZ Leader: Phil Anstee Sunday 16 November 2014: Peak District: Edale to Chinley Description: This is a linear walk from Edale to Chinley. It follows the Pennine Way through the Vale of Edale to reach Edale Cross via a climb up Jacob's ladder. The PW is left behind at that point, instead heading South then West, to skirt Brown Knoll towards the obvious target of South Head. Its summit is soon followed by Mount Famine, Peep o Day, Big Stone and Chinley Churn, which provide the key landmarks on the way back to the station car park. The train to Edale departs from Chinley at 09:59. A single fare is £3.50. There are toilets in Edale. Walk length: 10 miles Walk grade: Moderate Start point: Chinley train station car park (SK23 6AT) (SK038826) Leader: Ade Sunday 23 November 2014: Wrenbury, Cheshire Description: 10 mile circular route along Llangolen canal, fields and lanes. Approx finish time 4pm for anyone wishing to book a meal at the pub after. Walk length: 10 miles Walk grade: Moderate Start point: Wrenbury near Nantwich, Cheshire, Parking in front of Cotton Arms Pub, post code CW5 8HG Leader: Jane Sunday 30 November 2014: Cheshire: AGM Walk Description: The walk will incorporate a stop for lunch at the Ship Inn, Wincle. During this lunch stop, we will hold the group's AGM. Walk length: 8 miles Walk grade: Moderate Start point: Gradbach car park, SJ998663 Leader: Tom Sunday 07 December 2014: Loggerheads - Ffrith - Moel Famau - Bwlch Penbarras - Loggerheads Description: Ample parking at the start of the walk, as well as toilets and refreshments. Parking fee the last time I was there ( earlier in the year) was £3 for more than 4 hours. At the end of the walk there is a choice of the Caffi Florence which serves Fair Trade drinks, homemade soups, lunches and traditional teas, or the ' We Three Loggerheads' inn. This walk starts from Loggerheads Country Park and follows a relatively little-used bridle way around the base of Moel Famau , the highest summit in the Clwydian range. The Jubilee Tower on the top is a superb viewpoint (weather permitting!). The descent is on the more popular side following a stretch of Offa's Dyke National Trail, before quiet lanes and field- paths lead back to the country park. I consider this a moderate walk but with what some would consider a strenuous 1300m climb up to the summit of Moel Famau Walk length: 9 miles Walk grade: Moderate Start point: Loggerheads Country Park, CH7 5LH SJ200628 Leader: Stephen McDowell Sunday 14 December 2014: Christmas Walk and Meal Description: Join us for the annual Cheshire Walkers Christmas Walk and Meal (with the traditional raffle and quiz!). This year we're going to The White Lion in Alvanley, near Helsby. The walk will be a short 4-5 miler around the local area, possibly including Helsby Hill, Frodsham Hill and parts of the Sandstone Trail. Walk length: 4-5 miles Walk grade: Easy Start point: The White Lion, Alvanley Leader: Kirsty and Ian (walk); Charles (meal) Sunday 21 December 2014: River Dee Marshes and the Wirral Way Description: This weeks walk starts at a disused railway station preserved as it was in 1952, shortly before the line closed to passengers. Much of the route follows the former tree lined embankments and deep cuttings through the sandstone, in complete contrast between Parkgate and Little Neston, we walk along the edge of the extensive River Dee marshes, with views of the Clwydian hills, and Flint Castle, the marshes being a popular bird watching location. There is also evidence of the area coal mining past, and its use of a former sea port, and some of the old quayside can be seen, looking out of place in the grassland. The part along the marshes is quite muddy, boots and gaiters are advisable! Walk length: 8 miles Walk grade: Easy Start point: Wirral Country Park Car Park at Hadlow Road Station, Hadlow Road, Willaston, CH64 2UQ Leader: Ashley Timmins Sunday 28 December 2014: Cat and Fiddle - Christmas breakfast and a stroll Description: Come join us for breakfast at the renowned Cat and Fiddle inn, Englands second highest tavern, followed by a braceing walk including Macclesfield Forest, Shutlingsloe and Three Shires Head. Breakfast will be from 9.00, and the walk itself will start at 10.00. This is a new improved version of the walk I led this time last year, now with an ascent of the most recognisable peak in the Western Peak District, Shutlingsloe. Consequently, this will have to start at 10.00 sharp and will border on strenuous with several inclines, lots of mud and I've ordered clear skies to provide stunning views as well. This is a great way to finish the Christmas period, and will be our last walk of the year. Start those new year's resolutions a week early and get fit with Cheshire Walkers! Note in the event of inclement weather, a walk of equal excellence will be substituted, although in this case breakfast cannot be guaranteed. There may be a possibilty of eating at the Cat and Fiddle after the walk as well. There is often live music playing on a Sunday afternoon, so if this is the case we will stay for a while. Walk length: 12 miles Walk grade: Moderate Start point: Cat and Fiddle Inn on the Macclesfield to Buxton Road Leader: Neil Talbot Sunday 04 January 2015: Cheshire: Dunham Massey Description: An 11 mile walk around Lymm and Dunham Massey, featuring the Transpennine Trail, the Bridgewater Canal and (time permitting) a visit to the Lavender Barn tea room.