(S/E)Start from the very small car park to the east of Poynton Lake (Grid ref. SJ925842). Exit the car park and turn left (north east) then right at the lane to head south. Continue along this lane turning left (Grid ref. 929840) to join a very wide path through the trees. This path was originally a colliery incline, whereby rail trucks transported coal to the canal for transhipment to narrow boats. The incline climbs east crossing a minor road then over a disused railway line, now converted to a bridleway named the 'Middlewood Way', ending at the Macclesfield Canal.
(1)Turn right along the canal and cross to the other side at the next bridge. Here you take the footpath on the left keeping to the left of Barlow House Farm. From here head in a north-east direction up the fields turning left then right at the fences to Ryles Wood to continue to Elmerhurst Cottage (Grid ref. 963841). Go through the large gates into Lyme Park then immediately right to follow the pretty footpath through the woods. When the path nears the park-drive, you will see on the hill a tower named 'The Cage'. Make your way up the grassy hill to this building, which is thought to have been erected as a vantage point to watch stag hunting.
(2)From The Cage head south on the wide mown path (not shown on maps) that keeps to the ridge and descends to the left of Lyme Hall (a National Trust property well worth a visit). Go through the farm type gate, keeping the hall and gardens on your right to follow the tractor track that in turn follows the Hampers Wood fence. Climb up hill until you reach the park boundary wall at grid reference 974821. This is a good area to see the red deer grazing below you.
(3)Turn right and follow the wall until you reach Bowstonegate, the white building with its high radio masts that can be seen from miles away. If you want to see 'The Bowestones' turn left here as they are positioned near the road. A theory is these stones were used as a method of measuring the plumpness of sheep prior to their sale. Having viewed the stones retrace your steps then descend rapidly to the woods at Knights Low. Follow the wide path through the woods, then still loosing height, turn right after the woods to walk to the left of the car park. Take the tarmac surfaced road ahead of you, keeping the wall on your right. The surface changes to stones and leads you to the house and exit gate at Four Winds (Grid ref. 954827).
(4)Follow the lane passing Haresteads Farm and Elm Wood down to the Canal Marina at Higher Poynton. Cross over the canal and the 'Middlewood Way' to reach the road. Walk down Anson Road opposite as far as the road junction (Grid ref. 935836). Cross over and walk up the bridleway. Just before the golf course turn left. This path leads you over Petre Bank passing behind a residential home to reach a bridle way opposite. This bridleway is another colliery incline and leads you down to the main road. Turn right then right again back to your start.
