Two Canal

(S/E) Cross the A6 at the pedestrian crossing in front of the Red Lion and turn left along the pavement. Pass the war memorial and church on your right, then cross Vicarage Close. Just before a bus stop, turn right between bollards onto a tarmac path which passes two metal barriers and bends right into a cul-de-sac. Turn left, then left at a T-junction.

(1) At the next junction, turn right along Russell Avenue. Take the next left, crossing a bridge over the Macclesfield Canal. Turn left down steps onto the towpath, then left again under the bridge. Follow the towpath for one mile, passing under bridges 9, 8, 7 and 6.

(2) At bridge 5, just beyond a canal milestone reading “from Marple 1 Mile”, leave the towpath and turn right over the canal bridge. Follow the lane up to Hawk Green. Cross the road and cross the green, aiming for the far right-hand corner.

(3) Beyond the play area, turn right past a metal barrier into a footpath between gardens. Beyond a stone barrier, the path bends left and climbs to the road just below the Methodist chapel. Turn left, away from the chapel, then leave the road at a left-hand bend, onto a footpath on the right. Keep right along the top of an area of open scrub, then enter the trees onto a path which drops steeply to the Peak Forest Canal.

(4) Turn right to meet a lane by a bridge, which you cross. Turn immediately right and right again onto the towpath, where you turn left to pass below some cottages. Follow the towpath for a little over half a mile with views over the Goyt valley. Beyond a lifting bridge (bridge 22), leave the towpath at PNFS sign no. 495.

(5) Descend to a track and turn right under the aqueduct. Ignoring a footpath on the right, climb to a track by a house, and turn left. Beyond some stables, take the grassy track ahead to a gate, where you turn right, passing below a square stone chimney. Skirt to the right of a silted-up pond and follow the path left to a stile and into a wood. Climb to emerge onto Disley Golf Course.

(6) Cross the fairway with care and turn right along a track running beyond and parallel to a golfer’s path. The track continues beyond the 6th tee then bends left, past a pond and bench, to climb to Jacksons Edge Road.

(7) Turn right and cross Wybersley Lane, descending to meet the A6. Turn right and follow the main road for 300 yards, crossing at the lights to return to the Red Lion.(S/E)

Mostly on canal towpaths and surfaced paths, but with one or two minor climbs, steep wooded descent and occasional steps and stiles. May be muddy in places.

The Macclesfield Canal runs from Marple to Hall Green near Kidsgrove, a distance of 26 miles.

Jackson’s Brickworks is a former industrial site now maintained as a local nature reserve by Cheshire East Ranger Service.

Lyme Hall is the largest house in Cheshire and was built in phases between the 16th and 19th centuries. It is in the care of the National Trust.