This site was produced by: LOCAL AUTHORITY PUBLISHING
Publishers for local authorities throughout Great Britain. View more Official Guides at www.officialguides.co.uk

This walk begins at Whaley Bridge railway station car park. Toilets and bus stops are nearby. Begin by heading out of the car park onto Reservoir Road, turn right, pass below the railway bridge, cross the junction with Whaley Lane and continue up Reservoir Road heading toward Toddbrook Reservoir.

Past Brookfield House, on the right, the pavement follows the hedge of Brookfield Pond. As the road swings around to the right you can go through a gate and visit Brookfield Pond.

The pond is a local nature reserve, water enters from the reservoir by-wash, and levels are controlled by a weir. There is a memorial bench and a little way along the path is a commemorative tree planted by the Whaley Bridge - Tymbark Twinning Association. Exit from Brookfield Pond back onto Reservoir Road go up the road and cross the first footbridge over Toddbrook Reservoir by-wash, walk along the crest of the dam.

In the centre of the dam as you look across Whaley Bridge to the surrounding hills, an interpretation board identifies some of the features. Cross the bridge over the central spillway and continue to the far end of the dam, exit over the right hand stone stile. Follow a surfaced path, beside the hawthorn hedge, to the yard at Reddish Farm. Walk out of the yard along the farm drive, this turns left and becomes Reddish Lane, take second right Reddish Avenue, and look on the left for a footpath sign and passage leading to Macclesfield Road, follow it.

Cross Macclesfield Road and walk uphill, passing the junction with Linglongs Road. Continue to the bend, leave the main road, go up the track passing left hand Stretton and turn, follow the track to the gates of Taxal Edge. Walk the path, beginning in front of the gates. Go over the stile beside the gate at The Nursery and continue walking until you reach Lanehead Road.

Turn down Lanehead Road, cross the cattle grid, continue downhill to the junction with Linglongs Road, turn right and follow the road to St James’s Church, Taxal. The parish church is open for visitors, light refreshments served, on Saturday and Sunday afternoons Easter to October.

Immediately after the church yard descend the surfaced track between church yard and cemetery, go down to the River Goyt. Follow the path running downstream from the ford, cross the footbridge and go through the left hand gate. Follow the track to Buxton Road.

Cross Buxton Road and go into Mevril Road. Walk to the far end of Mevril, cross the play area and go down a path leading to the Scout Hut on New Road. Join New Road at Alpha Mews and continue walking with Cromford Court on your right.

As New Road veers left, take the path, part of the route of former Cromford and High Peak Railway, pass a memorial stone, and continue through a short tunnel below Chapel Road. Stay with the footpath, behind Buxton Road homes, heading toward the rear of The Cock. The path ends and a passage on the left leads you to Buxton Road. Walk in front of The Cock; pass below the railway bridge and in a few minutes you are back in the centre of Whaley Bridge.