Gritstone Trail taster 2nd June 2021

 The plan was to attempt the Gritstone trail the following week, and this trip was just to get a feel of the directions and signage. I drove to Disley and parked at the station. The start of the trail is in the Station carpark and immediately climbs through a small woods to leave the station.

The route soon joined Green Lane which led to a bridge over a brook with a temporary wooden structure as the stone bridge was closed

The hunting tower in Lyme Park

Lyme Park House.

Just before entering Lyme Park there is an alternative path to the left which can be used to bypass the park if the park is closed. I returned by this path.I was soon in Lyme park with glorious views to the hunting lodge on the ridge, and Manchester in the distance. As there was no rush I stopped in the park for a cuppa , and then went to see where the path left the park. I got this bit wrong and ended up leaving the park by the wrong exit. However, with the help of my trusty Garmin I was back on the right track. This was useful for the following week. Soon I was climbing out of the park through some woods to eventually come through another gate onto open moorland. 

The view on the way up to Spond Hill ridge

The view across to the western edge of the Peak District

The Bow Stones

The trail up to the Spond Hill ridge was a typical peak district path - rocky and rugged. Soon I was up onto the ridge where the views across to the western edge of the Peak district on one side and the Cheshire plains on the other side were stunning. I walked up to the viewpoint on Spond Hill , enjoyed the view for a while and then retraced my track back down to where the path climbs up from Lyme Park. Here I found the Bow stones, the remains af a couple of  late saxon crosses. See sign above. From there I follwed the alternative route with a small road section and then back over fields to rejoin Green Lane and back to the car park. 

An excellent 8.5 mile wander. The instructions (printed from Cheshire Council web site) and the signage were excellent. I also, had some printed map sections and an OS download on my phone. Definitely good prep for the attempt next week. The only downside was the blister I picked up on the side of my heel. My fault wearing walking shoes rather than boots.