Trans-Pennine Trail 2 - Widnes to Penistone
Route facts
Waterways:
River Don »
St Helens Canal (Sankey Canal) »
Bridgewater Canal »
Manchester Ship Canal »
River Mersey »
Distance: 63 miles / 101.2km
Duration: 8 hours
Starts at: Widnes
Ends at: Penistone
This route takes you along various waterways such as the St Helens Canal, River Mersey, and the Manchester Ship Canal. The route takes you on some roads, although the majority of it is by the water.
The route follows the well signposted Trans Pennine Trail, making it easy to find your way. It is also part of the National Cycle Network. For more information on the Trans Pennine Trail, call their office on 01226 772574.
Getting there
Parking: There is parking at various spots along the route.
Public transport: There is a train station in Widnes, although it is quite a way from the start of the cycle route. There are also train and bus stations all the way along the route.
Waypoints
1. Widnes to Wilderspool (7 miles / 11.2km)
Warrington is a short cycle ride away from Wilderspool and has a train and bus station, shops, pubs, toilets, telephones and places to stay.
2. Wilderspool to Lymm (4.5 miles / 7.2km)
Continue along the Manchester Ship Canal until the bridge, where you need to cross over and continue cycling on the other side of the canal, along Thelwell New Road. When you come to Bradshaw Lane, you need to turn right down here along the path of the National Cycle Network. You will pass under the M6 and A56. As you get to Star Lane, there is a pub nearby and also somewhere to stay the night. A little further on, you will pass the Ranger Service Information Centre which is the end of this section. Lymm stands on the Bridgewater Canal and here you will find pubs, shops, somewere to stay, toilets and a post office.
3. Lymm to Altrincham (4 3/4 miles / 7.6km)
Here, you need to contine along the National Cycle Network Route. Just before Oughtrington, where there are pubs to go to if you are in need of a break, there are two danger points, where cyclists have to cross over the A6144 and B5159. Once past these danger points, you will go over the River Bollin. Further along, you will pass by the Dunham Massey National Trust, carry on along the cycle Route, cross over School Lane and you will arrive in Altrincham, just near the Bridgewater Canal once again! If you are in need of refreshments at this point, Altrincham is home to pubs, cafes, shops, toilets and a post office and telephone. There is also parking at this point of the route for those who would find it easier to begin at this part and a train station.
4. Altrincham to A6144 (M) (3 1/4 miles / 5.2km)
The first part of this section is considered to be a danger point so cyclists are asked to be carfeul. Go along Dairyhouse Lane which will lead onto Sinderland Road, where you will turn right into Woodcote Road. Again, cyclists are asked to be careful on this stretch. As you come to the end of Woodcote Road, you will join the National Cycle Network route once again. You will go past Dainewell Woods before arriving at the A6144.
5. A6144 (M) to Northenden (7 miles / 11.2km)
Cycle along the A6144 (M) and you will join the National Cycle Network route, passing over the River Mersey. You will pass through Stretford where there are shops, pubs, cafes, toilets, a telephone and a post office. Follow the cycle route and you will be cycling alongside the River Mersey after a short time, passing Chorlton Water Park Local Nature Reserve. The cycle route will continue to Northenden at the A5103, or, alternatively, you could follow the River Mersey until you have gone under the M60, where the two routes meet up. In Northenden, you will find, pubs, shops,a post office and a telephone.
6. Northenden to Stockport (4 3/4 miles / 7.6km)
Continue along the River Mersey until you get to Ford Lane, where you need to along this Lane, left at Wilmslow Road and right at Grange Lane and you will join the cycle network just after this point. When you arrive at Green Pastures, you can choose to go right and cycle by the River Mersey for a short while, or left along Station Road and Craig Road. For those travelling along the river, the final route is pending and you are asked to look out for signs and at The Pyramid (Co-Op Bank) you will join the cycle route, where you will meet the other route and the end of Bowerfold Lane. There is a link route at this point to Stockport Town Centre. In Stockport, there is plenty of parking, bus and train station, a tourist information centre, pubs, shops, cafes, telephones, places to stay and a post office.
7. Stockport to Haughton Dale ( 5 miles / 8km)
Carry on along the National Cycle Network, which will take you along parts of the River Tame and up into Reddish South, where there is a train station, Reddish Vale Country Park, a visitor centre, pubs, toilets, shops, cafes and a post office. The River will go right at this point, although you need to continue along the cycle route and over the M60 towards Denton. There is a steep muddy path near this point and cyclists are advised to walk. You need to to cycle South by the A6017 which is quite steep, so you are asked to be careful again. After this you will join the cycle route along the River Tame before arriving at Haughton Dale. There is parking here and also a train ststaion nearby.
8. Haughton Dale to Broadbottom (6miles / 9.6km)
Continue along the National Cycle Network which will take you up to Hyde. Here there are shops, pubs, cafes, a post office, telephone and toilets. There is also a train station. Turn right down Green Lane, which is a steep hill so you may need to be careful. Go left along the A560 which is considered to be a dangerous section of the route and onto Stockport Road (there are cycle lanes on this road). Cross over the road to go South towards Broadbottom. When you are going down, it is quite steep so you will need to be carfeul. In Broadbottom, you will find pubs, shops, cafes, a post office and a train station.
9. Broadbottom to Hadfield (4 3/4 miles / 7.6km)
You need to set off going down Long Lane, past the Visitor Centre (this is quite a steep hill so you will need to be careful) and left along the A626 past Charlesworth. You need to go left towards Gamesley. On your left you will pass Melandra Roman Fort, near Wooley Bridge and at this point you will be cycling along the River Etherow. Turn right down Wooley Bridge Road and left up Waterside and you will arrive in Hadfield. There is a link route here to Hadfield Station. For those needing refreshments or a break, there are shops, cafes, pubs, toilets and a post office in Hadfield.
10. Hadfield to Woodhead Pass (7 miles / 11.2km)
Continue along the River Ethrow and cross over it at Valehouse Reservoir where you will then meet the National Cycle Network once again. Stay on the route and you will pass Rhodeswood Reservoir, Torside Reservoir and Woodhead Reservoir before arriving in Woodhead Pass. There are parking facilities here and also a telephone.
11. Woodhead Pass to Dunford Bridge (3.5 miles / 5.6km)
Crossing under the A628 is considered a danger point in this route, so cyclists are asked to be careful. Passing under it again about a mile further down is also a danger point. There is a steep hill directly after this point as well. For a third time you will pass under the A628 before cycling along Windley Edge (the highest point on the Trans-Pennine Trail) before arriving in Dunford Bridge. There is somewhere to stay here, a pub, a telephone and somewhere to park.
12. Dunford Bridge to Penistone (5 3/4 miles / 9.2km)
Cycle along the National Cycle Network, near the Upper Don Trail. As you pass over Whams Road, there is a camp site and a bunk house nearby and at this point, you will meet the River Don. Continue along the route and you will pass through Ecklands, past Bank House Farm and into Penistone. In Penistone you will find shops, a pub, cafe, toilets, a telephone and somewhere to stay. There is also a train station.
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