Walk with us

Peak & Northern Footpaths Society members regularly get together for sociable walks in the countryside. All members are welcome. Prospective members are especially welcome because a walk is a great way to find out more about us.

There's usually a short walk (5-9miles on the second Wednesday of each month, and a longer, usually hilly walk (9-12 miles) on the last Wednesday of each month. Typically midweek walks are accessible by public transport and weekend walks by car. We always advocate car sharing where possible.

If you're coming on a walk, please wear appropriate clothing for the conditions, bring any essentials and lunch. If you're travelling on public transport, please check rail/bus times before setting out. You're responsible for your own safety during the walk and PNFS walk leaders reserve the right to exclude anybody from the walk.

The description of each walk includes the leader's contact details, who if you are a member will be pleased to answer any questions. If you're not yet a member, please email Ken Smith, or call him on 07918 154959. Walk leaders are Society members, which also means they're volunteers.

We're always looking for new walk leaders, if you think you could be one, please see more information near the bottom of this page.

Wednesday, 12 August  (Short)  ROSIE JONES  07531 034512   rosiejones44@gmail.com

RAWTENSTALL 6 MILE CIRCULAR Walk starts at Rawtenstall Bus Interchange and follows the Irwell Sculpture Trail to Irwell Vale then ascends to Edenfield and beyond with fine views across the valley to Balladen and Townsend Fold finishing with refreshments at the Buffer Stops. Take the X43 bus from Shudehill Interchange leaving at 10 o’clock arriving at Rawtenstall bus station at 10.47 BB4 7LZ

Wednesday, 26 August  (Long)  ANN HADEN  07766 194 900   ann.vernon-haden@virginmedia.com

Edale to Hope linear walk via the south edge of Kinder (320m), Win Hill (130m) and New Inn at Hope. 9:48 am train from Manchester Piccadilly arrives at 10:32 am. 9 miles. WALK STARTS AT 10.35 am S33 7ZN

Wednesday, 9 September  (Short)  MIKE GUNN  07724 155847   michaelgunn65@gmail.com

PLUMLEY CIRCULAR WALK 7 MILES, A flat walk in the Cheshire countryside on field paths and quite country lanes. We will frequently cross the Peover Eye and pass Holford Hall with a final stop at the Golden Pheasant for refreshments. Train from Manchester Piccadilly at 10:10 Altrincham 10:36 arriving PLUMLEY at 10:57 WA16 9RU

Wednesday, 30 September  (Long)  BILL MINSHALL  077719 85846   bill.minshall@btinternet.com

Stone to Stoke approximately 11 miles. WALK DETAILS TO FOLLOW

Wednesday, 14 October  (Short)  JOHN HARKER  07929 051978

WALK DETAILS TO FOLLOW

Wednesday, 11 November  (Short)  SUE DAVIES   07967 035784   suekercher@hotmail.co.uk

HATHERSAGE CIRCULAR 7 mile walk from Hathersage Station, following the Derwent to Grindleford Bridge, then up to Padley Chapel and returning to Hathersage. Mostly track or path with some road walking. Train from Piccadilly 9.47 Train from Sheffield 10.14 Walk from Hathersage Station 10.45 (or when train arrives). S32 1DT

Wednesday, 25 November  (Long)  DAVID GOSLING  07841 647275   davidgosling@pnfs.org.uk

11 miles and 835 feet of ascent, from Stockport Railway Station, via Reddish Vale, Haughton Vale, Peak Forest Canal, Woodley, Romiley, Far Benfield, Compstall, finish at Marple Railway Station. The is a varied walk with only short sections of road walking, level for the first half and then has some modest ups and downs in the second half. 10:14 am train from Manchester Piccadilly to arrives at Stockport 10:23 am. WALK STARTS AT 10.30 am SK3 9HZ

Wednesday, 9 December  (Long and Short)  KEN SMITH  07918 154959   kensmith4rj@icloud.com

PNFS MARTIN RILEY MEMORIAL GREENFIELD TO SHAW WALK. Please note that this walk has been deferred until after a PNFS Signpost dedicated to Martin has been installed. The land owner has already given permission to install. I am aiming to schedule this walk for Wednesday 9th December. This is a combined long and short walk 9 miles. WALK DETAILS TO FOLLOW

Lead a walk

We're always looking to welcome new leaders who'd like to help run our walks programme. Walk leaders are PNFS members, who volunteer for the role. Perhaps you already lead rambling groups or guided walks and you'd like to make your walks more widely available. Or perhaps you don’t yet have any experience of leading but are keen to share your favourite routes with other people. Please contact us to let us know.

About the walks

Your walk should fit into one of three categories:

  1. Short walks are usually 5-9 miles long, not particularly hilly, and are on the second Wednesday of the month
  2. Longer walks are usually 9-12 miles long, can be quite hilly, and on the last Wednesday of the month.
In December there's usually a combined walk on the second or third Wednesday. It is essential that Wednesday walks are accessible by public transport.

Walks programme

The following details are needed for the walks programme, which is published in the Society's newsletter and on this site.

  • Date of walk
  • Leader's name and contact details
  • Walk description, including start location and finish location if different from start
  • Length of walk in miles
  • Details of ascent in metres, or a brief description, e.g., 9 miles, 1000m ascent or 9 miles, hilly or 5 miles, negligible ascent, so that walkers know what to expect if they choose to join the walk
  • Times of trains/buses to/from the walk.

Leading the walk

The walk leader should:

  • Be familiar with the planned route, either through detailed local knowledge or by trying out the route beforehand
  • Be aware of any escape routes that would allow the walk to be cut short
  • Carry basic safety gear, e.g., map, compass, whistle, etc.
  • Know how to deal with emergencies and know how to contact the appropriate emergency service
  • Check the weather forecast on the day of the walk and be prepared to alter the route in case of adverse conditions
  • Have a system for ensuring that no member of the group is left behind.