Saddleworth Round

Distance: 16 miles
Ascent: 650m
Weather: sunny
Bears on the Bear Trail: one
Donkeys on the Donkey Trail: none
Shoe faffing: lots

We were late setting off, after a chilled morning,  so bought sandwiches at the Co Op,  which we ate in a nice park in Lees.

We headed around Lydgate, Grotton and Grasscroft (where a very nice lady came out to point out the footpath through her garden as we were hesitating and about to turn back)  then up on to Wharmton hill above Greenfield. 

The hill is a broad grassy expanse, with sheep and a big antenna. Coming down off the other side,  we skirted a golf course and a quarry, to emerge onto the canal. The towpath was busy with families and couples,  we turned off at the bridge near Dobcross and went on to the disused Delph Donkey Line railway up to Delph.

From Delph, we joined the Tame Valley Way along the valley into Denshaw, while discussing house prices, and then up on to Brushes Clough and back along the track.