Marple, The Peak Forest Canal and Chadkirk Country Estate, Stockport

Key Information: 

Start: Marple Station, SK6 7DA

Distance: 5.8 miles / 9.3 km (4.5 miles / 7.2 km for the shorter route)

Height gain: 696 feet / 212 metres (614 feet / 187 metres for the shorter route)

Grade: Moderate

Approximate time: 3 hours (2 hours 20 minutes for the shorter route)

Accessibility: Due to the varied terrain and the steps and gradients involved, parts of this walk are not suitable for wheelchair-users and those with mobility challenges. While the platforms at Marple Station are accessible by lift, the walk from the station to the canal is fairly steep. Once on the canal, the section up to and beyond Marple Aqueduct is step-free though with uneven surfaces and gradients in places. Alternatively, several shorter step-free routes on well-made paths are available around the Chadkirk Country Estate. You can find more information around disabled access here.

Terrain: Mainly well-made paths including the canal towpath, shared with bikes; short sections on earthen paths, which can be muddy and uneven in the woodland. Some ascents and descents but no stiles. Puddles and damp sections after wet weather. 

Facilities: Toilets, including accessible facilities, at Marple Station and – only when the chapel is open to the public (usually the last Sunday afternoon of the month) – toilets and refreshments at Chadkirk Chapel. At the halfway point of the full walk is the Spread Eagle Pub, also serving food. Restaurants and cafes in Marple Bridge (a short walk from Marple Station) include Dutsons Deli, Libby’s Cafe, Fold Bistro, and Maple Tree Chinese Restaurant, while pubs include the Norfolk Arms and the Royal Scot.

Public transport: Regular trains from Manchester Piccadilly (journey time 25 minutes). Check times and fares here. Also frequent buses from Stockport. When travelling by bus, simply tap on when boarding. To plan your journey, visit the TfGM Journey Planner.

Parking: The large car park at Marple station, SK6 7DA is for rail users only. Others should park at nearby Brabyns Brow Car Park (next to Brabyns Park), SK6 5DT.

1. Exit Marple Station via the steps or the car park access road and turn right, uphill, along Brabyns Brow.

2. In 200 m, turn right onto the towpath of the Peak Forest Canal and keep ahead, passing eight of the locks on the Marple Lock Flight.

3. Pass a large cottage, Aqueduct House, with its lovely garden, and turn left over the bridge and immediately right to rejoin the towpath.

4. After passing under a railway bridge, follow the towpath across the spectacular Marple Aqueduct, enjoying views over the tree-lined River Goyt far below.

5. Stay on the towpath through a shady cutting.

6. Where you see a tunnel ahead, keep left up either steps or cobbles. At the top, follow the gravel track ahead past white houses, bearing left as the track widens.

7. Pass Hydebank Farm and then fork left onto a narrower hard-surfaced track descending under a bridge to rejoin the towpath.

8. Just before a factory on the opposite canal bank, turn left up steps into Kirk Wood. Enjoy the flowers and birdsong as you ascend the path through the trees, watching for the drop to the right.

9. After a level section, pass stone posts and go down steps (with a fence to the right) to follow the winding, partly stepped woodland path downhill.

10. At the bottom, turn right for Chadkirk Chapel and, on reaching a stone wall, turn left (with the wall right).

11. At the corner, turn right towards the chapel, passing the wooden statue of St Chad. Information panels explain the history of the chapel and the country estate.

12. To continue, go sharp left past a monkey puzzle tree on a cinder path. Go through a gate, cross the access road (Vale Road), and turn right between a fence and the hedge to reach a gate and fingerpost.

For the shorter option, go through the gate and keep ahead along Vale Road past a parking area. Follow the winding road uphill, looking out for the ancient St Chad’s Well on the left. After passing two white cottages, turn right up steps to the canal where you turn right along the towpath (step 21 below).

13. For the full walk, turn sharp left at the fingerpost and follow the lovely path, with a fence to its left and a stream to its right, all the way to the car park.

14. Proceed through the car park and go up steps ahead onto Vale Road. Cross and turn right along the pavement.

15. At the T-junction, turn left along the A627, crossing to the right at the pedestrian crossing.

16. Continue in the same direction and, in about 80 m, turn right up steps at a gap in the wall.

17. Go immediately right (before the stile ahead), to follow the ascending path through more garlic-scented woodland. In 400 m, continue along the descending Bunkers Hill, a residential road where you need to watch for vehicles.

18. The road gradually descends and emerges onto the A627. Turn left, crossing at the lights, to pass a church.

19. Just before the Spread Eagle Pub – where you might want to stop for lunch or a drink – turn right along Green Lane.

20. Just to the left of a set of bollards, climb steps to reach the canal and turn right along the peaceful tree-lined towpath, watching for steep drops to the right.

21. In about 350 m, the canal crosses Vale Road and passes steps to the right, used by those following the shorter route.

22. In 500 m, pass the factory on the opposite bank and, on the right, the steps you followed earlier into Kirk Wood. Now simply follow the canal to retrace your steps, bearing left uphill past Hydebank Farm, to then fork right and re-join the canal after the tunnel.

23. Follow the towpath to recross the aqueduct, passing the locks, and emerge onto Brabyns Brow, turning left back to the station.

Before boarding your train, why not keep ahead downhill to enjoy the attractions of Marple Bridge? On the way, you’ll pass the entrance to Brabyns Park, which has plenty more paths to explore, including a lovely waterside route along the River Goyt. Alternatively, simply relax for an hour or two, enjoying a drink or some food in the village.