Peak Forest Canal

Marple to Whaley Bridge/Bugsworth Basin - 8th October 2016

Upper Peak Forest Canal

I did approximately 6-8 miles of canal walking on Upper Peak Forest Canal from Marple to Whaley Bridge. I started at Lock 9, I think, of the Marple flight of locks. Reaching top of 16 locks and Marple junction, I "officially" began walking the lock free Upper Peak Forest Canal to Whaley Bridge via Disley and New Mills. 

The Peak Forest Canal is one of the most scenic canals I ever walked on with stunning views of the Furniss Vale, the Torrs and in the distance the hills of the Peak District. When I reached Whaley Bridge junction I made a side trip to Bugsworth Basin where I made a comfort stop at its nostalgic Navigation Inn and learnt about the area’s history. 

I’m now looking forward to completing the Peak Forest Canal, from Ashton Under Lyne to Marple.



Ashton Under Lyne to Marple - 18th February 2017

Near Marple, Peak Forest Canal

My friend and I made our way down to Portland Basin from the railway station.  We spent some time beforehand looking round the excellent and recommendable Industrial History Museum and paid a visit to its shop and cafe where we enjoyed a hot drink and homemade cake. It must have been just before 1.00pm when we began our walk on the Lower Peak Forest Canal, completed in 1805 and restored in 1974, at Dunkinfield Junction.  It was uneventful for the first couple of miles or so when we passed Hyde with its industrial and urban surroundings.  

The scenery became more scenic when we approached Haughton Dale Nature Reserce and beyond passing Romiley. We braved walking through the 167 yards Woodley Tunnel, the only tunnel with a towpath on the canal, and my torch coming in handy.  Looked down below to Bredbury Green from the Hatherlow Aqueduct.  After our diversion from Hyde Bank Tunnel we reached Rose Hill opened out tunnel and Marple Aqueduct.  The aqueduct is a marvelous piece of engineering feet and we were able to look down to River Goyt and beyond.  We looked up to the Marple viaduct and saw a couple of trains passing by.  Beautiful scenery all around. We ascended up to first nine locks on the Marple Flight.   Some of the locks were currently being restored in order for the readiness of the cruising season at end of March/beginning of April.  The Canal River Trust held an Open Day in January for the Public which gave them an opportunity to see the restoration progress and learn more of its canal and its waterways in general. After a good walk and having very tired feet...we caught a train home via the Hope Valley and Sheffield.  Slowly going round the Cheshire Ring!


Ashton Under Lyne to Marple - 28th May 2018 

Canadian Geese and their goslings, Peak Forest Canal

My Dad and I have begun walking the Peak Forest Canal (my second time); the walk was from Ashton Under Lyne to Marple.  We travelled to Ashton by train, with a change at Stalybridge, and walked down the hill to the Ashton Canal and Dunkenfield Junction.  We stopped briefly at the Portland Basin Museum where we used the facilities and Dad had a quick look round.

We crossed the bridges to begin our walk on The Peak Forest Canal and crossed the River Tame over its aqueduct.  We were greeted with the Canadian Geese and their many goslings.  The goslings are rather cute though they will probably turn aggressive and unfriendly like their parents!  We passed Hyde, Haughton Dale Nature Reserve, transversed through the Woodley Tunnel and took a stop in Romiley.  We had a drink at the Duke of York Pub which was welcoming for somewhat a very warm day!  Afterwards we continued on passing Hatherlow and reaching the Hyde Bank Tunnel.

We had to divert at the Hyde Bank Tunnel and walked overland to the other portal.  This stretch is certainly one of the most interesting and scenic on the waterways network.  With the Rose Hill Tunnel Cutting, The Marple Aqueduct (designed by Benjamin Outram)and ascending up the Marple Flight of Locks.  I've noticed the new railings that have been put on the other side of the aqueduct - it's a good thing for the boaters' safety.

We finished our 8 mile walk after the 8th Lock on the Flight and we went down the main road to the train station.  As we arrived at the platform, the Sheffield bound train pulled in so we were on on our way home!  We now need to continue walking the remainder of the Peak Forest Canal and start on the Macclesfield one which are planned for completion this summer. 

Whaley Bridge to Marple - 14th July 2018

Upper Peak Forest Canal, near Marple

We meant to have returned earlier but the day we had chosen to finish the canal was the day of rail replacement services and we didn't make it Marple or Whaley Bridge in the end. Anyway there were no issues train wise this time round and we travelled to Whaley Bridge (we decided to walk in the opposite direction so we could spend some time looking round Bugsworth Basin and also we didn't have to wait long at Manchester Piccadilly for this connecting train). 

We got to Whaley Bridge at lunch time and we had lunch at the terminus/beginning of the canal.  Afterwards we walked towards Bugsworth Basin where we had a good look round and chatted to a friendly gentleman who told us more about the Basin.  There was a small exhibition about Busgworth Basin and how industrially busy it was in its hey day and also we picked up some guides.   It was an interesting exploration though the weather was beginning to get hot...so stopped at The Navigation Inn to buy an ice lolly.

We continued on the main canal towards New Mills - the canal is scenic with great views of the Derbyshire Peaks and the Torrs Valley.  We didn't stop at any pubs but instead got our supply of cold drinks at a convenience store in New Mills, just before the Swizzles Sweet Factory, and they were well needed.   The hot weather made walking hard work and being up in the hills didn't make any difference.

We passed Disley, Strines and Furniss Vale before reaching Marple Junction and then we descended down the locks until we reached the road where it leads to Marple Station.  We finished our walk of approximately of 8 miles at Lock 9 and headed down the station for our train home.  We only waited 15-20 minutes before we got our Sheffield bound train and connected there for home.  We have now completed walking the Peak Forest Canal (my 2nd time) and we look forward to walking another canal soon hopefully in cooler weather!