Marple Sunset

Welcome to Freshwalks. This sunset walk is part of our own vibrant business community programme and everyone is welcome to join us for a late afternoon and early evening of hiking and networking in the great outdoors. Feel free to come alone - most Freshwalkers do - and you'll be warmly welcomed or invite a colleague or client along for company.

Route description

We meet outside Marple station and after crossing the main road will join the Peak Forest Canal heading south out of Marple. Our walk continues for about an hour into increasingly rural surroundings before we leave the towpath at Strines, passing its old calico printworks and the train station. We join the Midshires Way and begin a short climb upto the tiny hamlet of Brookbottom which features the quirky and charming Fox Inn public house. We'll continue climbing upto Mellor Cross for an evening picnic spot before descending back to Marple via the Roman Lakes. (NB: should weather conditions not suit an evening picnic approach we'll tweak plans to include a pub stop at The Fox Inn and reduce the walk length and uphill to protect return time).

Route: Marple - Peak Forest Canal - Strines - Brookbottom - Mellor Cross - Roman Lakes - Marple Bridge

Distance: 11km

Grade: Medium (more info on grading here)

Max elevation: 327m / Total ascent: 363m

Proposed schedule:

16:45 - Meeting, Marple Station
17:00 - Walk starts
19:15 - Sunset picnic, Mellor Cross (327m)
19:56 - Actual sunset
20:45 - Walk finishes, Marple Bridge

Please note that if weather conditions don't suit a picnic approach we will tweak the plan and stop at the Fox Inn, Brookbottom circa 18:30 instead to enjoy a quick and light evening meal. We'll then reduce the route length to 10km and skip the highest route upto Mellor Cross to ensure a similar return time.

Walk leader: Michael Di Paola

Meeting location: Marple train station, Brabyns Brow, Marple SK6 7DA (https://w3w.co/reprints.chills.asked)

Parking: Recommend parking in the Marple Bridge car park (Brabyns Brow, Marple Bridge, Stockport SK6 5DT) and walking 3-4 mins uphill to meet us at the station. Saves doing so later on.

Public transport: Please take the 16:18 train from Manchester Piccadilly arriving in Marple 16:44. Trains return twice an hour late into the evening.

Toilets: None at start though there are cafes nearby in Marple Bridge (5 mins walk away)

Post walk: You are welcome to join other walkers for refreshments at The Midland in Marple Bridge at the end of the walk.