Thursday 10 July 2025 - GM Ringway Trail Stage 8 - Broadbottom to Greenfield

On a hot sunny day, only Jeanette was missing from our original team of eight who plan to complete the 200 mile GM Ringway walk by the end of the year. Jeanette has been told she can only walk on the flat, so today's ascent statistic of around 700 metres foiled her wish to attend. Hopefully she will catch up, as will any of the others who have missed stages.

We soon left the roads as we ascended from Broadbottom on private roads and narrow lanes. A panoramic view incorporating Longdendale soon opened up. Click on these pictures for a better version/slideshow.

The Roman Fort of Melandra Castle will have to wait.

This friendly goat would I'm sure have swallowed anything it could lay its teeth on.

Two 'team' pictures were taken from the same point, in different directions (see header for the other one). Some bright spark (probably Roger) quipped "better take one now as we may not stay together".

Nice paths led gently uphill.

An elevenses break was taken, near good views down to Arnfield Reservoir and Glossop.

On we marched, into open country, gradually ascending to the high point of the entire GM Ringway route - a shade over 500 metres.

En route we (I) made a navigational error as we thought we were supposed to go straight ahead at a lone tree (Step 34 in the Stage notes). "The description is wrong" I concluded. However, reading it again in the clear light of day, the step by step description is accurate, albeit the wording of Steps 34 and 35 could be improved to avoid the error I made.

We continued on a lovely narrow path to the head of a valley where Sue spotted a stream and declared "lunch".

She then stripped off and took her mug of tea down to the stream for a bit of splashing about, returning with the news that it was a nice skinny dip, but her knickers had fallen into her mug of tea. Hmmm.

First signs of Viv's illness

The Rosebay Willowherb is coming into flower just now, and soon the moorland will look wonderful when the heather blooms.

During our lunch break it became clear that Viv was unwell. After lunch I reached the high point with Sue, Paul and Rick. Looking back, it looked as if Viv, ushered by Roger, would take up to another hour to reach this point. Rick had maps, so they continued as a threesome whilst I stayed to guide the other three, who had no maps, ("it's Martin's walk, he'll have maps"). Fair enough.

Roger and Viv eventually reached the high point, beyond which a tiring yomp over very rough ground drew us slowly closer to the Chew Valley escarpment path. We should have stayed to the left rather than trying to cut off a corner.

Once on the escarpment path, views towards our destination opened up, with Dove Stone Reservoir now in sight.

We met a mountain biker on the rocky escarpment path. No helmet, silly man. Chew Reservoir, when we reached it, looked rather short of water.

We had seen vehicles on our route ahead, and Sue, Rick and Paul could be seen high up on an alternative but more demanding route than the one down the road. Here was the reason - nine months of work on an overflow channel from a nearly empty reservoir.

By the time we reached the dam the vehicles had gone and work for the day had clearly finished, so we walked down the road. This was fortunate as I don't think Viv would have been able to manage the alternative route. Meanwhile a rescue helicopter was practising landing in a spot on our path where a few minutes earlier it could have been most useful for Viv. But we had decided not to make the call. Viv was nauseous and unable to eat or drink, but she was able to stumble on between frequent rests.

We walked down the empty road above Chew Brook, whilst the helicopter continued its exercises.

After a while we left the road at a gate and crossed the river via a sturdy bridge. Beyond this, views opened out ahead towards Greenfield and beyond.

Some of the heather was already in bloom.

The contouring path follows the course of a light railway or tramway that was used in the early 20th Century during the construction of the reservoir. It ducks in and out of woodland and is a lovely part of this stage's route. (See here.)

Dove Stones Reservoir was passed, but Viv declined the opportunity to descend to the car park as we were getting quite close to Greenfield. She felt she could get there, albeit with frequent rests.

Greenfield was now very close, and soon after the signpost pictured below, we emerged onto a quiet lane - Intake Lane - that led past posh housing with lots of 'Private' notices.

After crossing the main A635 road to Manchester, we returned to a woodland path that led over the River Tame and then up to Greenfield station, greeted by Viv with immense relief.

Here's our route - about 21km with 700 metres ascent, taking over 7 hours. Sue, Rick and Paul were a good hour ahead of us, despite taking an extra half hour or so by virtue of the diversion they faced at Chew Reservoir.

We now have a four week break (catch-up time) to Thursday 7 August, when the 'flier' for stage 9 is:
GM Ringway Trail - Stage 9 - Greenfield Station to Newhey. Meet at 10:22 at Greenfield Station for this ninth 21km stage of the 20 stage circuit of Greater Manchester.
Arrive on the 10:00 from Piccadilly to Greenfield.
Return by Metrolink service from Newhey. 

Later: on Friday 11 July, Viv reported that she was feeling much better. Hopefully she will soon be fully recovered.