Sutton ramblers prepare to tackle second part of Gritstone Trail

A club spokesman said the route was “very different in character to stage one”, but the scenery is still excellent with some of the finest views of the trail.

There are no facilities during the walk so please bring plenty of food and drink. A shorter walk is usually available and the club has been pleased to welcome a number of new members this year.

The spokesman said: “We begin the ramble from Tegg"s Nose car park where we finished stage one, with toilets and a café available . We start from a high vantage point and after a short walk through old quarries we reach Tegg"s Nose itself and descend to the Teggsnose and Bottoms reservoirs.

“After skirting Macclesfield Forest we make a gradual descent through delightful countryside to Higher Sutton and Foxbank Farm. There is then a long but gradual climb up Fox Bank towards the oddly named Hill of Rossenclowes. We are now at the very edge of the Peak District, overlooking Manchester and the Cheshire Plain. There will be a break here to absorb the views and have some refreshments.

“After this short break we continue along the ridge, past Croker Hill to Sutton Common, site of a very prominent radio mast. We then turn abruptly east and descend to the A54 following it briefly before joining a minor but spectacular road called Minn End Lane. This takes us up Golden Slack Hill and along another ridge with great panoramic views, Golden Hill and Wincle Minn follow. Another brief stop here high above Bosley Reservoir with yet another spectacular view of the Cheshire Plain.

“Near Hawkslee Farm we turn south east and head inland away from the ridge and across more pastoral ground. Eventually we descend through pretty woodland to cross the Shell Brook. We then ascend the other side of the valley to Dumkins, the ruins of an abandoned cottage. This is followed by another steady descent to the River Dane at Barleyford Bridge. A short climb takes us up to the Dane Valley Way.

“There is now a choice of routes, those feeling tired and thirsty can take a narrow lane direct to Rushton Spencer. The more energetic members of the group take an easy but slightly longer route turning right and following the feeder canal for Rudyard Lake towards the A523. Near here we eventually leave the trail and take a different path to Rushton Spencer.”

The coach will depart for home from the bus stop adjacent to the Royal Oak pub in Rushton Spencer at 6.30pm

The club aim to complete the Gritstone Trail to Kidsgrove in March 2024. The first section was covered on April 1, 2023

In the morning, the coach leaves the Staff of Life pub in Sutton at 9.15am and the Bancroft Lane end of Stockwell Gate outside Asda, Mansfield, at 9.30am, with other pick-up points available. The coach fare is £12, or free for accompanied juniors.

For further information call Helen Woodruff on 07592 886381 or John Price on 07749 164455, or visit suttonramblingclub.com