UK Cycle Routes

Over the top to Bowstones  (84km / 52 miles)

From the Farmers Arms, the route cuts around by Lindow Primary School and then down Carr Lane to emerge in Alderley Edge. After a short road section, you turn into Bradford Lane, which has an initial cobbled section and turns into a steep, muddy track strewn with stones & bricks, bringing you out at the top of the Edge.

The route then follows the road, detouring around Slade & Hocker Lanes, crossing the main road & heading into Prestbury (with a short section along Bridge End Lane to skip the station). You then head up around Kerridge, turning right at the Bulls Head and then turning left instead of following the hairpin bend to climb very steeply up towards White Nancy before descending down to the river Dean, cutting through along a steep path to emerge by the Poachers Inn.

After a short steep road section, you take a right at the bottom of Blaze Hill to join Oakenbank Lane which has a fairly steep climb up & descend down the other side - it can be very muddy here after heavy rain! Bear left at the triangle junction to climb again up a quiet lane, emerging on the road Blaze Hill just before the second climb up to the B5740.

The next 1.5 miles are along the main road, followed by a left turn up Bakestonedale Road (the top of the Brickworks) and then joining the Gritstone trail, which takes you over the top of the ridge to arrive at Bowstones.

(the next section of the route is marked "no cycling" so proceed with discretion) From the top, descend down the track (with stiles & gates to negotiate!) all the way down to the main car park at Lyme Park, then bear left up the hill & pick up the track all the way down to the canal at Higher Poynton. The route then follows the canal as far as the train line, cuts down to the Middlewood Way and then all the way down Prince's Incline to reach the A523 in Poynton.

Turn right onto the main road briefly before turning after the Bulls Head into the housing estate & picking up Lower Park Road through to Woodford Road. Turn right again & then left after 300 yds to follow the track towards Bramhall. Weave through the housing estate & pick up the track next to the river, cross at Bridge Lane roundabout & enter Bramall Park.

The return section is a mix of road through Cheadle Hulme to Handforth, then off-road to Styal, back on the road again & then off-road around the grounds of Styal Mill along the river Bollin, returning to the start via Pownall Park and Racecourse Road.