Title: The Thirlmere Way, Pt.1 - Heaton Park to Atherton
Date: 5th October 2008
Location: North Manchester Area
Leader: Mike Farrell
Contact: 07767 371437
Distance: 12 Miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.
Start Point: Lake Car Park, Heaton Park, Manchester
Timings: Meet at 9.30am for 9.45am start.

Details:
The start of a new long-distance venture for the Group , the Thirlmere Way follows the line of the famous aqueduct taking drinking water from Thirlmere in the Lakes to the centre of Manchester. It is around 140 miles long and walking it south to north means that each section is scenically better than the one before ! This first stage starts from Manchester’s biggest park and threads a decent route through unpromising territory to finish in Atherton (bus/train/tram combination to get back to start).
NB: Unlike CCW this is not meant to be a solo effort so Mike is looking for volunteers to take charge of subsequent sections of the route !

Directions:
M65 to junction 8 then A56 towards Manchester which becomes the M66 then eventually the M60 (get in the lanes for Ring Road (E & S). Carefully (limited time to change lanes) leave the M60 at the next junction (19) and turn right on the A576 towards Manchester. Heaton Park is now on your right. Ignore the first entrance and carry on to the second set of lights where you take the A6044 (sp Prestwich). Go into the Park at the next opportunity (sp Lake Car Park) and follow signs to the car park.