Disley, Lyme Park & Sponds Hill

Welcome to Freshwalks. This classic hike event is part of our own vibrant business community programme and everyone is welcome to join us for a day of hiking and networking in the great outdoors. Feel free to come alone - most Freshwalkers do - and you'll be warmly welcomed or invite a colleague or client along for company.

Route description

This circular walk from Disley offers a dramatic journey through the rugged beauty of the local countryside. Following the Gritstone Trail, you’ll ascend into the windswept moors of Lyme Park, passing the imposing landmark of The Cage. Climb higher to the ancient Bow Stones before reaching the broad summit of Sponds Hill, where sweeping views of the Cheshire Plain and distant Welsh hills await. Descend through the park’s western edge, with red deer often grazing nearby, before tracing the tranquil Macclesfield Canal. The final stretch along the Ladybrook Valley Interest Trail provides a peaceful, woodland finish – a perfect contrast to November’s wild moorland.

Route: Disley - Gritstone Trail - The Cage - Lyme Park - Bow Stones - Sponds Hill - Macclesfield Canal - Ladybrook Valley Interest Trail - Disley

Distance: 19.5km

Grade: Hard (more info on grading here)

Max elevation: 410m / Total ascent: 565m

Proposed schedule:

09:15 - Meeting, Disley Station

09:30 - Walk starts

10:45 - Coffee & toilets, Lyme Park

12:30 - Picnic stop, location TBC (subject to weather)

14:45 - Toilets, Nelson Pit Visitor Centre

16:00 - Walk finishes, Disley

Walk leader: Michael Di Paola

Meeting location: Disley train station, Buxton Road West, Disley SK12 2AE. Please gather in the car park at the back of the station. (W3W ///guides.clerk.rumble)

Parking: Pub customers can use the Ram's Head car park but will need to validate parking upon return to the pub. Pay & Display parking is also available for those not planning to stay. (Buxton Rd West, Disley, Stockport SK12 2AE)

Public transport: Please take the 08:52 train from Manchester Piccadilly calling at Stockport 09:05 and arriving in Disley 09:24.

Toilets: None directly at start but there are a couple of cafes open in Disley 5 mins walk away down the A6. Please arrive early if you need to use them. We plan to stop for a coffee and toilets inside the park mid-morning and we'll also pass public toilets mid-afternoon too.

Lunch: Please bring a packed lunch and we'll stop somewhere appropriate en-route, most likely between 12:00 and 13:00, subject to weather. You'll be able to purchase inside Lyme Park at the National Trust cafe.

Post walk: We expect to arrive back in Disley around 16:00 and will head to the excellent Ram's Head for drinks and food.