Ski Club of Manchester Midsummer walk, Quarry Bank Mill and Airport perimeter

Leader: Helen Richardson

This midsummer walk starts from Quarry Bank Mill, Styal. It's free car park is accessed from Styal Road via Quarry Bank Road.

We meet outside the Visitor Centre OS grid ref: SJ 8362 8315, what3words: w3w///pays.stage.knee, adjacent to the car park. Toilets are available down a flight of steps from the south end of the car park.

Meet from 10am to sign in and to start walking at 10.15am.

This is a circular walk of about 9 miles, which, including breaks, is likely to take about 5 hours.

The route follows a generally clockwise direction from Quarry Bank Mill along the river to Giant’s Castle Bridge (which remains closed), thence Bank House Farm, — Morley, — Hooksbank Wood, — Bollin House Farm, — North Cheshire Way, — Woodend Lane, — Airport south and west perimeter paths, — tunnel under runway, — Oversley Lodge Farm, — and return to Styal.

The route includes woodland, field paths, tracks and minor roads. Parts of it follow the R. Bollin and minor brooks. The terrain is fairly flat, with some undulating paths, and with overall ascent of about 700 feet across the route. The exact route may vary from the description pending a final recce and depending on weather and underfoot conditions at the time.

Weather permitting, we should enjoy some great views, and an opportunity for some plane spotting. Because of proximity to the Airport, it’s likely to be noisy! We shall end our walk with refreshments at the Mill or in Styal Village, where options include The Ship (Inn) and Earlams Café.

Parts of the route include muddy sections. Mix of tracks, bridleways, minor roads and field paths. Poles may be helpful. As it is close to the Airport, it will be noisy!

Walkers will need to wear suitable clothing to allow for changeable weather and footwear suitable for varied terrain (including mud in parts, even in midsummer). Please bring food and drinks for the day. Poles may be helpful if you normally use them.

Please see the website nearer the time for map of route and link to gpx file, and contact Helen to join the walk, or for more information, (including an option to join the walk part way along for anyone who may prefer a shorter walk).