Tuesday 20 October 2026 - The Steel Cotton Rail Trail Stage 5 - Chinley to Marple

With excuses from regulars, varying from 'rain phobia' to a broken ankle, Sue and I found ourselves without the usual company after our journey in the sardine can that masquerades as a railway carriage from Navigation Road to Piccadilly, followed by a more comfortable ride to Chinley. The problem is caused by the closure of the Altrincham tram line for a couple of weeks.

Our waterproofs were needed to combat the drizzle on our 15 minute walk to Navigation Road, but our subsequent day's walk from Chinley was in overcast but dry weather.

We were soon leaving the fleshpots of Chinley (no obvious café), where the 'Steel Cotton' stickers were obvious amongst a plethora of guiding signs.

 

Soon, our stickers dominated and we headed along the course of the Peak Forest Tramway Trail.

After a while, Bugsworth was reached as we passed a well kept Morris Minor. I've seen a few of these vehicles recently, they are good 'runners'.

Next to Bugsworth Basin, the sad state of the Navigation Inn is an indication of the change from a working canal to a tourist destination, with provisions being brought in on the canal boats.

Bugsworth Basin is blessed with numerous information boards. At one time it was the largest and busiest inland port on Britain's narrow canal system, and it is the only one to survive intact.

We continued along the Peak Forest Canal towpath for about 2.5 km, passing Furness Vale Marina before turning sharply right and descending to the River Goyt.

There are still a few flora brightening our walks, including this Green Alkanet.

Beside the Goyt, we entered an area of impressive viaducts. This first example we went under on our way to the entrance of The Torrs Riverside Park.

Next we went under Queens Bridge, a two-tier stone arch bridge.

Beyond that, the path gains impressive views back to a viaduct.

Soon we passed over the Millward Memorial Bridge that dates from 1984. The path then leads to the Millenium Walkway, at the start of which there's a plaque to Stan Brewster (1953 - 2005), the engineer who masterminded the walkway and sadly died in the London bombings on 7 July 2005.

 

Eventually we said goodbye to the Riverside Park and continued towards Strines, following the River Goyt as it passed near Mousley Bottom Nature Reserve

After a while on the easy track through Hauge Bar Meadows we took a right turn uphill to reach Hauge Bar Picnic Site and Play Area. Lunch was taken next to the brand new equipment. A party of ancient walkers arrived here, the only other walkers seen all day.

We now ascended over a railway bridge and steeply up to a junction with Brook Bottom Road, from where the views extended to The Cage, on the horizon in Lyme Park.

The Fox Inn was then soon reached, followed by a steep descent that I've been up and down a few times on a mountain bike, most memorably at night with the Manchester Mountain Bikers.

You know you are near Strines Station when you reach this low bridge.

We continued down the cobbled track before turning sharp right at the bottom and heading back over the railway to pass Greenclough Farm, home of many vehicles requiring restoration and 'Private' signs that have one wondering what is down those secluded 'Private' tracks.

The footpath beyond Greenclough passed a grumpy bull and headed down towards the River Goyt via a railway tunnel.

We diverted from the track to visit the Roman Bridge, a centuries-old packhorse bridge.

Returning to the main track, we passed a heavily signposted side path on the way to Goytcliffe Viaduct, under which we soon passed.

 

The viaduct dates from 1865. Before that, Mellor Mill occupied a site near here, with the owner, Samuel Oldknow, responsible for various constructions of weirs and cottages.

There used to be tolls and tea rooms here (not at the same time!).

Roman Lakes used to be a venue for lots of mountain bike rides in the area, with plenty of parking, a tea kiosk, and a guide book with numerous suggested routes (some of which are recorded on these pages).

Times have changed. There's a sign (below) beside a locked gate.

Further along the track, after passing the ponds at Roman Lakes, we passed the ruins at the site of Oldknow's mansion - Mellor Lodge.

Steps then rose steeply to cross the railway via a footbridge before crossing Strines Road and climbing up to the Peak Forest Canal.

Our walk then carried on past the junction with the Macclesfield Canal to the top of the Marple lock flight. I'm familiar with this area thanks to many visits to the stone horse tunnel under the main road with my young children in the 1980's.

A fast walk to the station then ensured just a couple of minutes wait for the next train to Piccadilly, and onwards to Navigation Road in the sardine can parody of a commuter train.

Here's the route - 17 km with 250 metres ascent, taking 4.5 hours.

A lovely day out.