Tame Valley Station-to-Station Walk, Tameside

Key Information: 

Start: Mossley Station

End: Stalybridge Station

Distance: 3.5 miles / 5.6 km

Height gain: 157 feet / 48 metres

Grade: Leisurely

Approximate time: 1 hour 45 minutes (excluding breaks)

Accessibility: As there are some short gradients, varied path surfaces and a few steps, the full walk cannot be described as wheelchair-friendly, though it should be fine for families with all-terrain pushchairs. An alternative step-free version – mainly along the canal – is described below. However, the descent to the canal down Mill Street is fairly steep, and path surfaces are rough in places. As Mossley Station has only stepped access from the platform, disabled users with a ‘blue badge’ can park on Manchester Road (OL5 9AB) in Mossley Town Centre and return by bus from Stalybridge. Check bus times on the TfGM Journey Planner.

Terrain: Mainly level paths, with variable surfaces, including the canal towpath and the ‘Staley Way’, both shared with bikes, and woodland tracks. Short ascents and descents mainly on pavements, and some steps and cobbles but no stiles. Some puddles and damp sections, particularly after wet weather, when the Staley Way multi-user path can be muddy. A torch can be useful in the Scout Tunnel as the path underfoot is uneven with puddles in places.

Facilities: Toilets (including accessible facilities) at Stalybridge Station but none at Mossley Station. Cafes and pubs in Mossley include George’s Deli and Lucie’s Café inside the incredible Emmaus Mossley Secondhand Superstore (with accessible facilities). Bars and pubs include The Gillery (also serving food), The Commercial, and the New Bridge Inn. Cafes include Nonna’s, Magpie's Nest and Florence & Amelia’s Vintage Cafe, while full dining menus are available at the SK15 Cafe Bar & Bistro, Café Continental, and Giuseppe’s Sicilian Bistro among others. Bars and pubs include The Crafty Pint, The White House, The Q Inn and, at the station, the Stalybridge Buffet Bar.

Public transport: Trains to Mossley (journey time 15-20 minutes) approx. every half-hour on Mondays to Saturdays and hourly on Sunday from either Manchester Piccadilly or Manchester Victoria. Check the National Rail Journey Planner for the departure station and times. Even more frequent trains run from Stalybridge to Manchester (with a similar or shorter journey time). If you’re coming from Manchester, your return ticket to Mossley can also be used on the trip back from Stalybridge.

Parking: Small car park at Stalybridge station SK15 1RF or park at the nearby Rassbottom Street car park (pay and display), also SK15 1RF. From there take a train or bus for the short journey to Mossley. Check times on the TfGM Journey Planner. 

1. Exit Mossley Station past the ticket office and turn right to immediately cross Stamford Road at the crossing. Now cross the busy Manchester Road to your left with George’s Deli and The Commercial pub behind you.

2. Keep ahead, downhill, along Mill Street and, at the junction, turn left along Waggon Road, soon crossing the River Tame.

3. Cross to the right-hand pavement and continue across the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. In 40 m, turn sharp right on a gravel path to reach the canal.

4. Turn left along the towpath. Pass under the rather low Bridge no. 92 and, in 40 m, turn sharp left up to Egmont Street.

5. Turn left along the pavement to cross the canal and, in 100 m, turn left onto a wide earthen path signed for Scout Green.

6. Pass a gate and enjoy the tranquil scene of the rushing river to your right.

7. At a junction, keep straight on along the higher path, now with the canal on your left. Ignore a path left by a bench to stay on the main path.

8. After a path comes in from the right, keep ahead, descending next to a stone wall.

9. At lock 12, cross the canal via steps and the tiny footbridge and turn right along the towpath.

10. After crossing an often-damp section, continue through the 188 m-long Scout Tunnel – time to switch your torch on! The path is rather dark in the middle section and uneven underfoot but is protected by a railing to your right.

11. As you emerge into daylight, the canal curves left towards another set of locks. Continue along the towpath (with benches near locks 10 and then 9) until you reach bridge no. 96.

12. Keep ahead under the bridge and, after a building to your left, ascend steps. Just before a gate, go right up a rising path and then right onto the Staley Way, a wide and level cinder track, shared with cyclists.

13. Follow the full length of the ridge-top track, ignoring any paths off. Occasional benches give you the chance to pause and enjoy the views.

14. Eventually your route descends across a paved section towards a stone bridge. Just before this, turn sharp right, partly down steps, to return to the canal and turn left along the towpath.

15. As you approach busy Mottram Road, descend steps to remain on the canal towpath towards Stalybridge town centre.

For the step-free continuation, follow the ramp up to Mottram Road, cross at the push-button crossing, and follow the ramp on the other side back down to the towpath.

16. After passing under bridges 99a, b and c, go through a gap on the left and keep straight ahead across Armentieres Square with railings to your right. Look right for a view of Holy Trinity Church and Stalybridge Civic Hall with Florence & Amelia’s cafe just to the left.

17. Cross Back Grosvenor Street, with Magpie’s Nest Gift Shop and Cafe left, to continue across a metal footbridge.

18. With two micro-pubs, The Crafty Pint and the Bridge Bottle Shop ahead and to the left, turn right along Melbourne Street.

19. After passing Café Continental (with a fine dining menu) to the left, cross the River Tame and at the T-junction turn left along Market Street past the SK15 Bar & Bistro and the Cyprus Inn Restaurant.

20. After passing the bus station to your right, continue past the White House and then the Old Fleece pubs.

21. Just before Stalybridge Station, pass two pubs with contrasting names: the Old Thirteenth Cheshire Astley Volunteer Rifleman Corps Inn and the Q Inn, which has the shortest pub name in the UK – as certified by the Guinness Book of Records!

22. You soon arrive at Stalybridge Station for your train back home.

Before boarding, you might want to keep ahead along the access road to sample the renowned selection of real ales served at the trackside Stalybridge Buffet Bar.