Best walks from Whaley Bridge

Whaley Bridge Station to Buxton Station

great views across the Goyt Valley. An almost entirely road-, lane- and track-based route between two towns, with a long steady climb out of Whaley Bridge along a quiet tarmac lane. Good open views across the Goyt Valley. Some rocky, rubbly track sections and a flight of steps. Trains between the two stations are regular and take under 20 minutes. No mid-route facilities, so bring food.

Tough: steep ascents. 10km.

A short section joins the A-road at Long Hill where there is no pavement, so you walk on the verge of a 50mph road. Some rough rocky tracks.

Lunch: No mid-route facilities; bring your own food.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Poynton Station to Whaley Bridge Station

stunning National Trust Lyme Park. A rapid change from town to country, with a road climb out of Poynton before reaching open Peak District country. The eastern half is characteristic Peak walking with hill views, gorse and sheep pasture, rocky farm tracks and many stiles; the western half is gentler, mostly narrow woodland paths winding through farms and beside streams. A short section of disused railway path and canal towpath and with occasional deep mud around gateways. Passes through the National Trust's Lyme Park. Uses a short section of the Middlewood Way, a disused railway now a multi-use route.

Tough: steep ascents. 11km.

A footpath near Hagg Farm has been closed since 2022 due to a dangerous footbridge and is expected to stay closed until at least June 2026; continue along the Middlewood Way to the next bridge and rejoin via the canal towpath. Two higher-speed road crossings near Lyme Park need care. Stiles and ladder stiles throughout, and watch for nettles. Can be muddy.

Lunch: Lyme Park (National Trust), roughly mid-route, has facilities.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

New Mills Central Station to Whaley Bridge Station

excellent views; bags of interest along the way. An interesting walk on a broad, surfaced canal towpath for most of the way and with steep stepped descents and cobbled slopes to cross the Goyt ravine in New Mills and to cross the canal. Good views across the Goyt Valley. Steps and cobbles. Follows the Peak Forest Canal towpath, passing the Torr Vale Mill, Millennium Walkway and Bugsworth Basin. Trains, buses and an inn just off route at Furness Vale.

Tough: steep ascents. 4km.

A couple of dodgy road crossings; stepped footbridges and cobbled slopes (steep and bumpy) at the Goyt crossing and canal junction; a narrow footbridge in Whaley Bridge canal basin.

Lunch stop: the Navigation Inn.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route