Bosley Reservoir from Bosley Locks

 

This is the final walk of three from Bosley locks. This loop takes in a walk along the canal, around the hills to the east and then returning via Bosley Reservoir. The walk passes up the hills with some views west to Cheshire.

Distance 7.5 miles, climbing 650 feet.

One busy road to cross twice and another busy road to walk along, cows may be in fields along the route. 

Link to OS Map route.

The two other walks from Bosley Locks are:

7.5 miles circular to Gawsworth

5.8 mile balloon canal walk

From Bosley locks had north along the canal for 2 miles until the swing bridge at Oakgrove were we cross the canal (footbridge also available), cross the main road and continue up the side road ahead, when this gets to the entrance to Hawkshead Quarry turn right and head up the track.

Oakgrove Swing Bridge (footbridge to the right)

Disused bridge.

Follow this until it forks, taking the left track until arriving at a duck pond. Follow the track off to the left which takes you along a ditch. Follow this ditch it will pass an old disused stone bridge before meeting a stream with bridges, continue ahead after a while. Eventually the path turns away from the stream and heads uphill after a while the path turns sharply left onto a small foot path uphill until it arrives at a gate turn left after the gate and follow this track until a T junction with a track where we turn left. 

This track takes us to another gate on the left just before a T junction head through the gate and follow the track up the hill, after a short distance a footpath sign points to the right, follow this across the field.

This path takes us along the edges of fields until a line of trees where we turn left going uphill again to a farm track where we turn right, follow this to Upton Fold Farm. Turn left to head downhill, first through fields and then along a distinct concrete farm track.

Shortly after passing through a gate the path enters woodland on the left, and over a short bridge, head diagonally right on entering the field to join a track leading up the far bank, this track takes you down hill passing a derelict barn surrounded by fencing.

Walk all the way downhill to the road, carefully cross the road (it is a fairly busy, windy road) and walk along the road, after a short distance you can take the style on the left to head down the east shore of Bosley Reservoir, and walk around the reservoir and rejoin the route before heading back towards the Locks. However for the main walk continue on down the road until the junction at the bottom of the hill.

View of Croker hill.

Turn right onto Brooks Lane, a short distance after the garage on the left there is a style cross over this and head up the slope, pick up the tree line, saying to the right, after a dip follow the left edge of the field up the slope and continue until a farm, heading straight ahead along the track.

At the junction turn left onto Stoneyfold Lane which takes us down to the A523, turn left and then right into Bull Gate lane to return to Bosley Locks and the Parking.