Alderley Edge and the legend of the Wizard, on a Wednesday
12 people attending
13 places left
Join us for a walk through the woodlands of Alderley Edge, and the surrounding countryside, in search of the legendary Wizard! This is a circular walk of 8.5 miles / 13.5 kilometres, with 340 metres of ascent. The route takes us past the Wizard's well and the "Iron Gates" which are said to be the gateway to a secret cavern under the hill. The walk starts and finishes in the centre of Alderley Edge village, so is easily accessible by train from Manchester and from the south.
The legend of the Wizard of Alderley Edge describes a king and his sleeping knights who rest beneath the hill, waiting for the day when they will awake to fight the final battle to save the world. According to legend, each knight has a horse - pure white in colour. However, at the time the knights were placed in their enchanted sleep, the wizard whose job it was to watch over the king and his men found that they lacked one horse. One day, a long time ago, he encountered a local farmer taking a pure white mare to sell at the market. After the farmer's initial refusal to sell, the wizard bought the horse and the farmer was paid a generous price in gold from the king's secret store of treasure under the Edge.
Whilst the Wizard may be legend, there is no disputing the fact that Alderley Edge is a great location for walking. The Edge is a dramatic red sandstone escarpment, clothed with attractive woodlands. It rises from the Cheshire plain with impressive views west, north to the city of Manchester and to the Pennines beyond. There is a long and fascinating history of small-scale copper mining in the area, with activity dating back to the Bronze Age. Mining continued intermittently from Roman times to the 1920s. Below the Edge and the surrounding countryside lie an extensive network of underground natural caves and mines.
Dogs: well-behaved dogs may come on the walk, but must be under control at all times and on a lead when walking through fields with livestock or where wildlife might be disturbed. We will be walking through fields where there will be sheep and cows, so if your dog becomes excited in the presence of livestock, this walk is not suitable for them.
Waitlist: if this event is fully booked and you want to participate, just add yourself to the wait list because places usually become available closer to the date.
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Photo credits: photos by the event leader with permission given to OutdoorLads for their use.
What to bring
The right kit makes a good day out more likely, despite the weather:
Boots: your most important piece of kit: comfortable, waterproof, breathable and designed for hiking. Trainers may be OK, depending on how rough the ground is and if its dry. Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters. Gaiters: you may want these for wet weather or boggy conditions.
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and to body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt), a mid layer (micro-fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (windproof jacket or thick fleece). Trousers: avoid jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, and take ages to dry out. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry more quickly. On warm days shorts may be ok.
Waterproof jacket: carry one in your rucksack when walking in all but the calmest of weather. Breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry.
Hat or cap: useful for staying warm in winter and shaded in summer. Gloves: essential in winter and ideally waterproof.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, this should be comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely.
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter. Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days.
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated. Snacks: a range of biscuits, energy bars, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit (for example) are always good to have. Put them in your rucksack where they are easy to grab.
Water and other fluid: bring between one and two litres, depending on season of the year and temperature. A combination of water, fruit juice, energy drinks and a hot drink (in cooler weather) is recommended.
Medicines: essential if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments, etc. A personal first aid kit with hand sanitiser, bandages and paracetamol or ibuprofen (for personal use only) is a good idea.
Food & drink
Bring a packed lunch, snacks for along the way and sufficient fluids (hot or cold) to drink during the walk. A hot drink is recommended in cooler weather.
There's a café behind the former Wizard Inn which we may stop at, in the afternoon, on the way past and there will be the opportunity to go for a drink at the Drum & Monkey pub at the end of the walk, which is 10 mins walk from the railway station. The pub also serves food.