Countryside Health Walks in Oldham and Tameside

Stalybridge: Staley Way & Huddersfield Narrow Canal

Length: Shorter Walk: 2km (1¼ miles)

Longer Walk: 2.75km (1¾ miles)

If walking in the countryside is new to you, to get the best out of this walk why not go with you partner or friend?

Walk Summary

The walk is level for most of the way on good paths. The outward route is along a former railway line (now a recreation trail), the return is along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. On the longer walk there is one short steep descent. Towards the end of the walk there are a few steps to go up and one very short easy slope. There are plenty of seats along the outward part of the route, but none on the return along the canal.

Landscape

Although there are housing areas and some industry nearby, this walk follows a pleasant green corridor along the Tame Valley, with views of surrounding hills.

How to get to the start

The start is the car park beside 'The Cherry Tree' public house at the bottom end of Huddersfield Road (B6175) just east of Stalybridge town centre, 200 metres from the junction with Mottram Road (A6018). Buses between Stalybridge town centre and Millbrook and Carrbrook go up Huddersfield Road. Alight at the bottom end of Huddersfield Road near 'The Cherry Tree' public house. Enter the car park adjoining the public house.

Toilets

None on route.

Refreshments

'The Cherry Tree' public house at the start/end of the walk.

Map

Directions

You can make a very short walk by following the route just to the first seat and back (800 metres in all) or the second seat and back (1.5 km in all).

1. Leave the car park by the kissing gate in the corner, and follow the wide surfaced path curving leftwards beside an open events area to a gate and stile on its far side.
2. Through here turn right on a wide surfaced track (a former railway line, now known as the Staley Way). There are seats at intervals.
   
   For the Shorter Walk
   
   
3. In about a kilometre, level with an electricity pylon set on the bank on the right, a flight of steps leads down on the left to the canal. Go down here and turn left, following the towpath all the way to a stone arched bridge over the canal.
   
   For the Longer Walk
   
   
4. Continue along the Staley Way until the path divides, both branches going downhill. Keep to the branch going straight ahead, dropping quite steeply for 100 metres to Grove Road. Turn left on the road for 30 metres, then bear left, beside a stone wall, just before the bridge over the canal, on to the towpath. Turn left, and follow the canal for a little over a kilometre to a stone arched bridge over the canal.
5. Whether you are following the shorter or the longer route, go up the steps on the left just before the bridge, bearing left on a paved path, and along the wide track for 50 metres to reach a gate and stile set back on the right. Here you rejoin the outward route, returning to the start past the events arena to the car park and Huddersfield Road.

If you have any comments about this walk please contact:

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Strategic Director of Education and Cultural Services Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 330 9613
0161 343 1834