Getting out of the house for some fresh air can make you feel refreshed but if you need a new walking route, look no further as one near Bolton has been named among the best places for a stroll.
The Guardian asked 10 writers and filmmakers about their favourite walks with breathtaking views and Chris Moss chose Alderley Edge as their favourite walk.
Alderley Edge is a village around a 40-minute drive from Bolton so if you need some inspiration for your next winter walk and want to see some stunning views, this could be the ideal spot.
Why Alderley Edge is one of the top 10 winter walks with stunning views
In The Guardian list, Chris Moss said: “A teacher at my north Cheshire school told us that the strangeness of Alan Garner’s books The Weirdstone of Brisingamen and The Moon of Gomrath was down to their setting: Alderley Edge, an ancient site of magic and mists and mysteries.
“Later – like a metaphor for modern Britain – the name Alderley Edge came to be associated with millionaire Manc footballers and their McMansions. Fable and folklore had been turned alchemically to dross. The large village of Alderley Edge has become eminently bypassable.
“But the Edge itself, a lofty sandstone escarpment, retains something of my imagined landscape. It is walking distance from Alderley Edge station (1½ miles) or there’s a car park off the B5087, or Macclesfield Road, which runs along the borders of the National Trust-managed area. There are several paths in, but, whichever you choose, fields soon give way to woodland.
“Alderley Edge is a surviving patch of the oak forest that once covered Cheshire and many other counties. It has plenty of oaks – including some veterans – as well as birch, rowan, holly, plus Scots pine and beech that are a hangover from 19th-century forestry exploitation. Paths crisscross the wooded areas, and it pays to take random turns and go slowly: the light inside varies with the weather and seasons, but it is always calming beneath the canopy.
@charlieonhistravels a very wholesome Saturday indeed… a lovely 1.5h walk in Alderley Edge, Cheshire (some hills at times so this particular route would be unsuitable for wheelchairs/pushchairs) but there were lots of other routes available! And make sure you stop off at the Wizard Tearooms for a slice of cake and a hot drink! Would definitely recommend this place for a nice afternoon 🍁🍂🥾#walking #hiking #nationaltrust #cheshire #fall #autumn #thingstodo #chester ♬ Amas Veritas - Alan Silvestri
“For company, there are redstarts, nuthatches, tree creepers, woodpeckers and – apparently – ravens, though I have yet to see one. There are also bats. Fallen trunks and exposed rock and roots host a huge range of liverworts, hornworts and mosses, which enhance the enchanted-wood quality.
“The Edge, a site of special scientific interest, is the only place in Britain where non-ferrous ores and the full range of sedimentary rocks are accessible for study. In short, it’s a fantasia for geologists as well as for naturalists and tree-lovers.
“All of which would be sufficient reason to go. But the Edge gets its edge from its edge. Follow the light, or the fresh breezes, or whatever wizardy force comes upon you, and eventually you will come to Castle Rock, or Stormy Point, or just a clearing and a cliff edge, and there lies below and all around the Cheshire plain, the northern Peak District, the hazy central Pennines, and, in the top corner, the distant sprawl of Manchester and Stockport.
“The view is like a luminous reward after a tramp through the dank and dark woods – especially in winter.”
You can find out more about Alderley Edge via the National Trust website.
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Walks to do in Alderley Edge
There are plenty of walks to do in Alderley Edge, according to the AllTrails website.
On the AllTrails website, it says: “Looking for the best walking trails in Alderley Edge? Whether you're getting ready to hike, cycle, trail run, or explore other outdoor pursuits, AllTrails has 13 picturesque trails in the Alderley Edge area.
“Discover hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Explore one of 6 easy walking routes in Alderley Edge, with child-friendly routes for your next family outing.
“Venture outdoors and learn more about the area's historic sites or take a break from the hustle and bustle along the many tree-lined paths surrounding Alderley Edge.
“Perfect for little feet, paws, walkers and outdoor enthusiasts of any skill level.”
Some of the walks in Alderley Edge include the Alderley Edge Circular, Stormy Point and Castle Rock Circular Walk as well as Castle Rock, Clock House Wood and Stormy Point.
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