Rainow Circular

Peak District Walk

Maps

Walk Route Description

This Cheshire walk from Rainow explores a less-visited part of the Peak District National Park. The terrain is interesting and views good offering an excellent reward for your effort. As with many quieter areas some paths see few walkers so are less easy to follow and with poorer waymarking navigation in places needs care. However, equipped with the relevant OS map you should soon overcome any problems.

The start is the attractive village of Rainow which lies just outside the National Park boundaries. On street parking is generally easy to find, though please think about residents and their access. I parked on Round Meadow opposite the Parish Church (grid ref. SJ951760. After parking return to the B5470 and walk north (with the church to your right). Just after a row of terraced houses on the right fork left into Stocks Lane and follow this north into Smithy Lane. Continue north along this lane which soon becomes Kiskhill Lane at grid ref. SJ953766.

Follow Kiskhill Lane continuing until the tarmac ends. Continue straight ahead on the unsurfaced track for 200 metres to reach a T-junction. Turn right here onto Jumper Lane which is followed to reach a lane at Billinge Head Farm. Turn left along the lane and almost immediately right onto a signed footpath which follows a track in a northerly direction. Keep right where the track forks and continue to reach a stone building on the left (grid ref. SJ959779). Turn right here, cross the stile onto a footpath signed to Harrop Fold. There is little evidence this path is used by many walkers. However, maintain an easterly direction across three fields to enter another field with Harrop Fold Farm in view ahead. The path goes to the right of a barn and waymarks indicate the route ahead.

Just as you join the farm access road, turn right off it and with the field boundary on your right continue south. Cross the access track to New Hey Farm and maintain the same direction south to the left-hand corner of the field keeping the hedge on your immediate left. The path continues in the next field following a wall on your right. Cross the access track to Withinlow Farm, maintain direction following the wall. The path leads to the B5470 (grid ref. SJ963773). Bear right along the road and continue straight ahead across two road junctions.

Just over the brow of the hill take the first signed footpath on the left (grid ref. SJ961769). Walk half right across the first field and reaching a wall, cross the stile and head half right across the next. The path maintains direction across a smaller field and leads to the access track for Wimberry Moss Farm. Follow this track to Smith Lane and turn left. A short way along Smith Lane take the first signed footpath on the right. A short way along the path you reach a path junction. Turn left and head along the path with some farm buildings in the field on your right. The path then crosses a stile on the right and heads to the left of a farm. Entering the next field, gear half right and continue to reach a stile at a wall junction (grid ref. SJ965761).

Go straight ahead, ignoring the cross path. Walk south with the wall on your right and pass a ruined barn on your left. Pass to the left of the farm and follow the track with the wall on your right. The wall soon crosses to your left. The track follows the wall and swings to the right past a small wood on your left and then turns sharp left alongside the perimeter of a 'factory' which is on your right to reach a clear track (grid ref. SJ968755).

Turn right along the track (Lamaload Road or Berristal Road depending which map you are using). The track climbs steadily to reach Snipe House where you continue straight ahead. Pass Higherlane Farm on your left and continue to follow the clear track which soon turns northwest and leads to the B5470 (grid ref. SJ948758). Turn right, and with care, follow this road back to the centre of Rainow.

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