7k Run Stockport: Scenic Route Around Roman Lakes

Route Overview & Local Insights

This 6.7km loop offers a quintessential Stockport trail running experience, blending technical woodland paths with sweeping views across the Goyt Valley. Starting near Linnet Clough, you'll navigate a moderately hilly course featuring 150m of ascent that keeps your heart rate elevated. The terrain is a satisfying mix of roughly 20% paved sections connected by rugged trails through Barlow Wood and the scenic Roman Lakes. Prepare for some mud underfoot if it’s been raining, especially as you climb toward the Mellor and Townscliffe Golf Course, but the reward is a fast, flowing descent through Brook Bottom and back toward the reservoir.

Steeped in industrial and natural history, the Roman Lakes area was originally developed in the late 18th century as a series of mill dams for Samuel Oldknow’s Mellor Mill. Despite the name, you won't find many ancient Romans here; the title was a Victorian marketing tactic to attract tourists to the leisure park. As you run through Strines and the surrounding valleys, you are following in the footsteps of the textile workers who once dominated this landscape. Today, the area has reclaimed its wild roots, serving as a peaceful sanctuary for local runners looking to escape the urban sprawl of Greater Manchester for a dose of fresh Cheshire air.