The Middlewood Way: Bollington to Marple
The old Macclesfield to Marple railway, now a flat, traffic-free trail, from the 23-arch Bollington viaduct north to Marple.
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The Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple Railway opened in 1869, carrying stone from Kerridge and coal from Poynton until it closed in 1970. In 1985 it became the Middlewood Way, for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
The 23-arch viaduct at Bollington is the highlight, with a great view. I cycled it, 16.5 miles there and back, but it's just as good on foot. The Macclesfield Canal runs alongside, with plenty of places to hop between them for a circular route. It would be a great place to train for a marathon, adding a mile a week.
Highlights
- Bollington viaduct
- Old railway trail
- Macclesfield Canal links
- Distance
- 16.5 miles (26.5 km)
- Route
- one way
- Difficulty
- easy
- Start
- Pool Bank car park, Bollington
- Parking
- Pool Bank car park
- Terrain
- Old railway & trails, Canal, History
