Group Walks Finder
Walk Details
Helsby circular.
Group: Stockport
Date: Sunday 5 April 2009
Start gridref: SJ490750
Start time: 11am
Grade: Leisurely
Distance: 8 miles
Longer description: Start from Helsby. CP East of Chester road (A56). Graded C+ in our printed programme, meaning it is hillier than usual for this grade of walk.
We are meeting at the free car park on Alvanley Road in Helsby close to the junction with Hill Road South. It is approx 40 ? 45 minutes from Stockport centre and therefore closer to base than many starting points in the White Peak. It is sometime since Stockport last walked in this area and with the views of the Mersey going out to sea being totally unique in the region I feel it is well worth the modest effort to sample it.
The walk in 8 miles long and will be taken at a leisurely pace with several unplanned stops intended to keep the group together. It is mainly easy walking with the climbs of Beacon Hill in Frodsham and Helsby Hill the only real ascents and neither of these is very demanding.
The first section of the walk, in the morning, is basically on footpaths through farm fields with a few areas of woodland. We will stop at Queen Charlotte Wood for a drinks break at round midday. We will continue to Beacon Hill, which we should reach at round 1:15 p.m. where we will stop for lunch. There are extensive views from this point with some claiming to be able to see Snowden and Winter Hill as well as the more prosaic, but interesting, views of the junction of the Mersey, Weaver and Manchester Ship Canal.
In the afternoon it is the reverse being mainly woodland with scattered lengths of walking on farmland as we walk through part of the Delamere Forest. The highlight is the view from Helsby Hill which can be gained with modest effort and should be reached at round 3:00 p.m. We may have a final formal stop at this point while we examine the scenery. Three cathedrals can sometimes be seen from the hill as well as the Mersey swinging to pass between Liverpool and Birkenhead. From there it is a short stroll back to the cars.
Starting at the car park we will be calling at Hill Road South, Firs Farm, Alderhall, Commonside, Queen Charlotte Wood, Snidley Moor Wood, Frodsham Golf Club, Beacon Hill Monument, Woodhouse Hill, Woodhouses, Helsby, Helsby Hill and back to the start.
Optional refreshments following the end of the walk will be at the New Helsby Arms on Chester Road, Helsby. (Sketch location map provided on the day).
Contact name: Doug Davies
Contact phone: 0161 962 6917
* Dogs are permitted on this walk
sunrise 06:29
sunset 19:35
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Stockport Group
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Phone: 07794 715265
Website: http:/ / www.stockportramblers.org.uk
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General Note
Most walks listed here are intended primarily for Ramblers' Association members. Non-members are welcome to join us as guests on two or three walks, though if you walk with a group regularly you will be expected to join the Ramblers.
Please make sure that you are fit enough to undertake the walk you intend to join. If you're unsure of your fitness level, try a short and easy walk first: it's much better to find a walk a little too slow and easy than to make yourself miserable and exhausted.
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