New Mills, New Mills so good they named it - well, just the once as it happens, that's New York you're confusing it with. But then, New York isn't a short bike ride away from Uppermill in Saddleworth.
The ride starts in Uppermill, Saddleworth. If you drive here, it's handy for M62 junction 22 and there is free all-day parking at the car park by the leisure centre. If arriving by train, Greenfield Station has connections to Manchester and Leeds. TransPennine Trains allow a limited number of bikes on trains which they insist must be pre-booked, a policy ruthlessly observed.
The outward journey is through Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield, with a climb up Joel Lane to get over Werneth Low which has fine views over a large area, including activity at Manchester Airport.
The Torrs is a deep gorge underneath New Mills and is well worth a quick stroll. The Millennium Walkway is a spectacular construction, hugging the huge retaining wall below the Station before running along the River Goyt.
The return to Saddleworth goes over Mellor Moor and Ludworth Moor before dropping to the River Etherow with its narrow bridge overshadowed by Broadbottom Viaduct.
The climb up to the Mudd at Mottram is via the notorious Gorsey Brow, which is then followed by the old road behind Roe Cross before returning via Stalybridge to Uppermill.
The millennium walkway at New Mills
The Perm could also be started/finished in New Mills, and ridden in either direction, although the GPX file and routesheet describes only the clockwise version.
Crossing the Etherow at Broadbottom
☕ Some Useful Café Suggestions:
29km: New Mills, Clockwork Cafe 54km: Uppermill, Many cafes, including Abaco and Cellar Pot
