A Walk Along The Peak Forest Canal

[rufuskins]

Stephen

A very good set of photos illustrating walks that perhaps we don't always think of. Prior to MSTS I did a fair amount of walking, and Rufus and I managed to complete the South Pennine Ring. This comprises the Rochdale Canal to Sowerby Bridge, then the Aire and Calder Navigation, the Huddersfield Narrow, the Huddersfield Broad and finally the Ashton Canal that takes us back into the Castlefield area from where the Rochdale Cannal started. Mind you we effectively walked it twice, as we would drive to a spot where we could park and then walk the towpath for 3-4 miles and then walk back. This occupied a lengthy number of weekends as the ring is about 80 miles in length.

The whole walk comprised a bit of history, splended scenery and a whole array of characters - some of whom were not the most savoury!

Now I have to own up and say that we didn't fully complete the ring via towpath/canal as we never travelled through Standedge Tunnel. This is possible by electric boat from the Marsden end - all canal boats are towed through the tunnel for obvious reasons. We did walk over the top though.

Just imagine the effort put in by the early boatmen when lying on their back on top of the boat and "walking" the boat through!

Alec

[rufuskins]

Errata:-

Aire and Calder should have read Calder and Hebble

and

Huddersfield Broad comes before Huddersfield Narrow when heading towards Manchester.

Memory not quite what it was.

Alec

[stephenholmes]

Good afternoon Alec and all following this thread
I'm glad you've enjoyed viewing or adding to this topic
I hope to go on another stroll in the coming week and of course I'll take my camera with me
Kind regards Stephen
By the way the journey from Manchester Piccadilly to Marple was just 20 minutes

[markh5682]

Great pictures Look forward to seeing some more from your next stroll.

I have got quite a few pics taken along our local stretch of the Leeds Liverpool canal which I may post at some time in the future (if anyone want's to see them)

[terrycunliffe]

Thanks for sharing that Stephen.
Another good canal walk that I can recommend is the Huddersfield narrow.
Get off the trian from Victoria at Greenfield, and walk back down to Stalybridge along the tow path.

It also has the additional benefit that you can 'reward yourself' afterwards with a swift half in the Buffet Bar before catching the train back into Manchester.

[stephenholmes]

Good afternoon Terry
I'm glad you've enjoyed viewing the photos
I will keep your suggestion in mind for a future walk and enjoy exploring a different canal
Kind regards Stephen

[dorlan]

If the empty pound was between locks 15 and 16, I've just discovered why it was empty!

The pound has been leaking and has now resulted in the closure of the canal!

If it's not between those two locks it may have been a shortage of water on the rest of the flight, as a consequence of that leak.

[martinhodgson]

Ouch; that could ruin a few holidays/make things difficult for hire fleets!

[dorlan]

Ouch; that could ruin a few holidays/make things difficult for hire fleets!

It could indeed!

Peak Forest Canal - Marple Locks

Saturday 4 August 2012 until further notice
Due to a safety issue The Canal & River Trust have closed Marple Locks 1 thru 16 on the Peak Forest Canal.

[stephenholmes]

Good evening Ian and Martin
As you saw from my photos taken on Wednesday the canal was desperately low on water
A team of work men were busy near by
Kind regards Stephen

[Retro]

Great Pictures Stephen. It is so nice to see areas I have never been to.
Kind regards James.

[stephenholmes]

Thanks James glad you enjoyed viewing my photos

Good evening everyone
Today I took the train to Marple and walked from Marple to New Mills
I will post photos of my journey tomorrow
Kind regards Stephen

[FoggyMorning]

Lovely pictures Stephen

[stephenholmes]

Thank you Steve I'm glad you are enjoying viewing this thread

Good morning everyone
As promised here are photos taken yesterday on my journey from Marple to Strines Disley and New Mills
I caught an early train which was formed by Class 150 and 142 units from Manchester Piccadilly
Arriving at Marple Station



Arrival on the tow path by Marple Lock Flight


This photo of this charming cottage is what I would call a biscuit tin photo

Samuel Oldknows Warehouse

As I was heading up the flight of locks I came across a narrow boat heading down towards Romiley

Continuing the climb towards Strines

Looking down the lock flight towards Marple and Romiley

To be continued.....

[stephenholmes]

Continuing my journey
Approaching Marple Junction


Looking back from Marple Junction where the Peak Forest canal splits to join the Macclesfield Canal

Sorry this photo has been over exposed...this is the pedestrian walkway at Marple Junction

Continuing on towards Strines and still climbing the Marple Lock Flight


There was some repair work being carried out here

There is a boat yard and marina nearby as shown here



To be continued