18/02/23 - Greater Manchester Ringway - Stage 6

Greater Manchester's Boundary Path getting into its stride on Stage 6.  Proper rambling around Marple, at the edge of the Peak District 

The Greater Manchester Ringway simply gets better and better. This stage is a meandering route between two stations on the same line. So much variety contained within its 8 miles. Proper rambling country, offering views throughout.

A long climb from Strines Station, through Brook Bottom and onto exposed moorland for fine views in all directions. Manchester, sits in a the valley to the west, the Kinder Plateau to the east.  Cache finds straddling two territories in their description notes.

Pausing for breath, climbing out of Brooks Bottom

There is a ticking website for these sign posts.  Do I need a new hobby?

Manchester in the distance

Some of the properties have amazing views.

A drop down through Mellor to pick up the Goyt valley, walking under viaducts and past the Victorian beauty spots of the Roman Lakes. The Peak Forest canal delivering me to Marple Bridge, via an impressive set of locks.

Along the river Goyt

Easy final walking into Marple

Onto post walk refreshment. Marple Bridge has a couple of Good Beer Guide ticks that require maximum use of my Rover ticket to access - a good couple of miles away, but on the bus route home.

With no preconceived ideas - and I am desperate for lunch - I take a chance on the Norfolk Arms.

Norfolk Arms, Marple Bridge

An excellent choice - stocked with several unusual German keg fonts and four handpulls, I apparently chose wisely with a lesser spotted Timothy Taylor Knowle Spring. The lines had been cleaned and it had just been put on. A pin sharp pint was reward enough, but they also have taken roast pork sandwiches to an art form. It was the crossbone arranged strips of crackling that won the day.

With no hanging around, I head for the bus stop and get whisked to two Good Beer Guide Ticks opposite each other. Alas, the Northumberland Arms is a 3pm opener but at 13:00, the Spring Gardens is serving.

Not a Chinese restaurant

They are big on their Germanic beers in this part of the world.  Table mounted menus showing half a dozen Teutonic bottles, with a similar amount of Belgians. 

The ubiquitous Timothy Taylor Landlord, my choice.

 

Buses every 20 mins, I managed to catch the next available

The Tick that could have been - if I had waited 90 mins for the Northumberland Arms

Walk Information

Start - Strines

Finish - Marple

Previous Stages - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5

Distance - 8 Miles

Geocaches - 9

Good Beer Guide Tick - #799  

Walk Inspiration