(S/E) Exit the main car park by the lower entrance and turn right down the lane signposted to Linnet Clough Scout Camp and Activity Centre. Pass the camp entrance and follow the track beyond (signposted to Marple Bridge on PNFS sign no. 461). Follow this track downhill all the way to Bottoms Hall. Beyond the farm buildings and house, carry straight on with a lake on your right.
(1) At the junction with Bottoms Mill Road, bear left to the bridge over the River Goyt. Beyond the bridge, take the footpath almost opposite, which curves up the steep side of the valley to a walkway below the railway. Continue to a footbridge that crosses the line and follow the footpath at the top of the steps to the left and then right. Walk out between gardens to the road (the B6102).
(2) Cross and follow the shallow stepped path left and up to the canal. Turn right onto the canal towpath and immediately left under the bridge. Follow the towpath for half a mile until you pass under a footbridge (bridge 20), continuing along the canal.
(3) Just before bridge 21, turn left onto a driveway. Follow the driveway round to the right (downhill) then left, and descend to the B6102. Cross into a public bridleway that curves down through trees to pass between two cottages. Continue along the obvious path to the river and cross Roman Bridge.
(4) On meeting a track on the other side, turn left (signposted to Roman Lakes). After a short distance, turn right at a carved wooden gate onto a footpath signposted to Mellor and Cobden Edge. Climb the hill to the railway line, then turn right until you reach a footbridge. Cross the railway line into the golf course. Continue ahead, passing to the right of a clump of trees. Bear slightly left past a pond on your right. After another pond on your left, you pass through a belt of trees, beyond which follow the signposted Cown Edge Way to the right of a fairway. Follow the top of the wooded valley on your right until a waymark directs you between stone gateposts into the trees. Bear left just inside the wood.
(5) At a Cown Edge Way fingerpost, turn left to leave the wood and cross two fairways, guided by blue-topped stakes and waymark posts. Bear right of the scout camp’s climbing tower to return to the lane opposite the camp entrance. Turn right to retrace your steps back to the clubhouse.(S/E)
