6k Run Poynton: Scenic Loop by Higher Poynton Canal

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 6.1km loop offers a blissfully flat and fast experience through the Cheshire countryside, making it a favorite for runners seeking a rhythmic, uninterrupted effort. Starting from Middlewood, you'll head along the serene Macclesfield Canal towpath toward Lyme View Marina. The terrain is a mix of well-maintained trails and paved sections, with practically zero elevation gain to break your stride. After reaching the marina, the route transitions onto the Middlewood Way—a reclaimed railway line that provides a wide, sheltered corridor of greenery for the return leg, perfect for cooling down or pushing a final tempo segment.

Steeped in industrial heritage, this route carries you through the heart of Poynton’s coal mining history. The Macclesfield Canal, once a bustling artery for transporting stone and coal, is now a peaceful haunt for narrowboats and local wildlife. Running through Middlewood feels like a step back in time, as the Middlewood Way itself occupies the former Macclesfield, Bollington, and Marple Railway line, closed in 1970. Today, the area is a lush green lung for Poynton-with-Worth, offering glimpses of the nearby Peak District foothills without the punishing climbs usually associated with the region.