Walk 2523 - printer friendly version

Black Rocks & Bollinhurst Reservoir Walk

Author - Mike Bexley

Length - 5.0 miles / 8.1 km

Ascent - 400 feet / 121 metres

Grade - easy

Start - OS grid reference SJ974846
Lat 53.358272 + Long -2.0405284
Postcode SK12 2JB (approx. location only)

This is a nice short walk offering wonderful views and complements Walk 2567. The seasonal colour changes of the countryside make this walk worth repeating during the year. The start is from Disley on the A6, south of Stockport, convenient for anyone travelling by bus, rail or car.

Proceed up the minor road to the left of the Ram's Head (grid ref SJ974846) then turn right at the second road on the right. On reaching 'The Quaker Meeting House' turn left then right, to follow the footpath behind the houses. This footpath keeps to the boundary of the housing estate then turns left into the estate. At this point turn right to the top of the cul-de-sac then up the path on the left. On reaching a further path turn right down behind a house over a stile and up to Green Lane (grid ref 976840).

Turn left along this pleasant lane with its views of 'The Cage' in Lyme Park on your right. Just after the house on your right follow the bridleway straight on through some woods until you reach a stile, a bridleway and direction signs (grid ref 981832). Turn right down the bridleway in the direction of East Lodge passing the conservation area with its signs on your left. Just prior to reaching the Lodge turn left over the stile with its footpath sign (grid ref 977830). The clearly marked footpath proceeds over the fields to the remains of some buildings in trees. Go over the stream to your left and a stile towards a low barn. Keep to the left of this barn up to the road (grid ref 982827).

On reaching the road turn right passing Bolder Hall on your left. Go over the stile with its direction sign to 'Black Rocks' passing through a small field and over a further stile to reach a fingerpost sign. Do not turn left but keep straight-on through the wall then left over a wire fence aiming for top of the ridge where the wall ahead crosses over (grid ref 988825). Note there is no right of way on the wide path to your left that runs diagonally to the ridge. On reaching the ridge follow the path left.

Now it's views all the way along the ridge, on the left is Cheshire with the Peak District on your right. The path descends to a small field. Keep to the wall on the left then over the stile just after the gate. Head diagonally left for the corner of a wall (grid ref 985835). Here you will the see a further stile ahead and the path leading to the road. Cross over the road and stile and on reaching a wider path turn left. You will recognise this path as the one you used on the way up. On reaching the stile do not go over this time but turn right to follow the path that descends at first through woods and then alongside the boundary wall of Bollinhurst Reservoir to Cockhead Farm (grid ref 972837). On reaching the farm turn right along the lane then left at Green Lane to follow the lane back to Disley. If you have started from the railway station there is a footpath at the corner on your left, which leads down steps to the station.

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