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Middlewood Way – Marple Locks loop from Middlewood

Routes

Running trails & routes

Middlewood Way – Marple Locks loop from Middlewood

Moderate

105

runners

Middlewood Way – Marple Locks loop from Middlewood

01:28

13.4km

80m

Running

Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 16, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

88 m

The Boar's Head

Highlight • Rest Area

The Boars Head is a stunning, country pub located in the quaint village of Higher Poynton – the gateway into one of the National Trust’s crown jewels; Lyme Park.

Situated on Shrigley Road North, a dog-friendly pub is a popular spot for families, walkers and cyclists.

Tip by

1.75 km

Middlewood Way

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

Sensitively reclaimed from a former railway line to provide a natural attraction for walkers, cyclists, horse riders and nature lovers. An 11 mile (16km), traffic-free greenway from Macclesfield to Marple on the Peak Park fringe with car parking, toilets and information points, with fine views over the Cheshire Plain to the west.

The Middlewood Way follows the line of the former Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway through picturesque Cheshire countryside and between historic mill towns. For much of its length, the Middlewood Way runs close to the Macclesfield Canal, and there are many options for easy circular walks. For the more adventurous, the extensive public footpath network reaches into the Peak District Foothills to the east and the Cheshire Plain to the west.

Tip by

2.36 km

Middlewood Way

Highlight • Trail

The Middlewood Way is an 11-mile "linear park" in England, between Macclesfield and Rose Hill, Marple, opened on 30 May 1985 by Dr David Bellamy. The Middlewood Way follows the route of the former Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple railway, which had operated between 1869 and 1970

Tip by

2.41 km

Middlewood Way High Lane Station

Highlight • Rest Area

Nice surface to ride on & not too busy.

Tip by

7.29 km

Marple Locks

Highlight • Trail

The flight of 16 locks on the Peak Forest Canal at Marple is one of the steepest in Britain. Completed in 1804, the locks fell into disrepair in the 1960s with the end of commercial carrying. However, a successful campaign to preserve the Cheshire Ring saw them restored and reopened in 1974.

Tip by

7.33 km

Marple Locks

Highlight • Structure

Ideal spot to have a rest after climbing up the 16 locks.

Tip by

11.9 km

Barge Moorings

Highlight • Structure

12.0 km

Macclesfield Canal Towpath and Moorings

Highlight (Segment) • Bridge

Here on the Macclesfield Canal, just before Bollinhurt Brook, is a beautiful stretch of towpath, a bridge, and many mooring points filled with barges. The canal side here is pretty much festooned in colours, with brightly decorated canal barges filling up the numerous moorings here. It doesn’t matter what the weather is like, this area looks stunning in the sun or snow.

Tip by

13.4 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

11.4 km

670 m

536 m

340 m

251 m

178 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

4.30 km

4.21 km

2.24 km

2.04 km

613 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Wednesday 8 July

29°C

14°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Middlewood Way – Marple Locks loop from Middlewood

The Boar's Head

Middlewood Way

Middlewood Way

Middlewood Way High Lane Station

Marple Locks

Marple Locks

Barge Moorings

Macclesfield Canal Towpath and Moorings

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