Best walks to or from Hazel Grove

Poynton Station to Hazel Grove Station

A mostly on-road route through quiet 20mph residential streets with pavements throughout and light-controlled crossings and plus a section beside Poynton Lake and a short unimproved earth footpath escaping the traffic noise. Passes the Brookside Garden Centre miniature railway. A few shops on Macclesfield Road.

3km.

A final unsignalled crossing where traffic gives way; take care as there are no lights.

Lunch: A few shops on Macclesfield Road mid-route.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hazel Grove Station to New Mills Central Station

A pleasant, varied route with generally solid surfaces, taking in a canal, a river, woodland and farm tracks. It is not very direct, with quite a few steps, stiles, kissing gates and at least one cattle grid and some seasonally overgrown and muddy sections. Visits the outskirts of Lyme Park and passes through Disley three miles from New Mills; adding the Millennium Walkway and the Torrs at New Mills is recommended.

Tough: steep ascents. 12km.

There are three crossings of the busy A6; use the controlled crossings nearby rather than crossing where the footpaths emerge. Farm tracks may have slow-moving cars. Steps, stiles and gates. Can be muddy.

Lunch: Pubs and a Co-op at Disley, about three miles before the end.

Plenty of cafes in New Mills at the end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Stockport Station to Hazel Grove Station

an excellent route. A largely flat, almost entirely paved semi-urban walk through the suburbs of Stockport, avoiding the A6 where possible, passing parks, grand houses and a surprising amount of greenery and ending through an industrial estate. Two flights of stairs cross the railway.

Easy: 5km, gentle ascents.

Two flights of stairs at Woodsmoor and near Hazel Grove cross the railway and are unavoidable. Otherwise only one major road to cross, with safe crossing points.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hazel Grove Station to Marple Station

An almost entirely off-road, foot-only route using Torkington Park, the Middlewood Way (an old railway line) and the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canal towpaths, with two golf-course crossings and a horse tunnel near Marple locks. Surfaces are largely gravel/packed earth and paved, but with difficult stiles and muddy and narrow stretches in places. Uses the Middlewood Way (NCN 55) and the Macclesfield and Peak Forest canal towpaths.

Easy: 8km, moderate ascents.

Several difficult or wobbly stiles (one with no step) and narrow, muddy stretches make it foot-only. Two golf-course crossings — watch for golf balls (well signposted). A muddy, cambered drop near Marple golf course. Nettles can be high in summer.

End-of-walk reward: the Ring O'Bells.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Hazel Grove Station to Romiley Station

A mixed-surface route on the fringe of Greater Manchester with a country feel: definitive paths, roadside pavements and unrecorded paths, descending under the canal into the Goyt valley and through Chadkirk country park. Steep and cambered woodland paths with exposed tree roots; some wet and boggy field sections after rain. Passes Chadkirk Chapel, which has seats and a well-tended garden, and an aqueduct carrying the canal. The woods are full of wild garlic in spring.

6km.

Crossing Dooley Lane is a challenge with no pelican crossing; cross onto the grass verge and use the old road behind the closed pub. A couple of steep, scrambly woodland paths, slippery when wet.

Lunch: A few shops in Hazel Grove near the end.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Bramhall Station to Hazel Grove Station

A nice route on footpaths and quiet roads through Happy Valley Nature Reserve, with a stream-side section on the Fred Perry Way and a Peak District view from the station bridge. Has railway-bridge steps, a steep muddy stepped path and a kissing gate and a squeeze stile. Follows part of the Fred Perry Way along the stream; crosses two railway lines, so steps are unavoidable.

Easy: 4km, moderate ascents.

Two railway bridges with steps and a steep, unstable, muddy stepped path; one kissing gate and a squeeze stile. A footpath near Seal Road is closed by a locked gate; bypass via Dairyground Road.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route