[1] Leave St Luke’s and turn left up Brownley Road. At the roundabout turn left onto Hollyhedge Road. Carry along Hollyhedge Road for quite a way, passing the entrance to Hollyhedge Park on the way. At the pedestrian crossing turn left into Ogden Grove. At the cross roads turn right into Halstead Grove. Follow the grove round to the left and at the corner with Highcrest Avenue turn right down footpath.
[2] At the bottom of the hill at Styal Road cross over using the pelican crossing into Church Road. Carry on along Church Road, keeping the small wooded green on your right. Pass the Prince of Wales pub on your right. Carry on by the shops of Gatley on each side of the road. The entrance to Walter Stansby Memorial Gardens is on your left.
(A) The Walter Stansby Memorial Gardens are worth a quick detour, an area of tranquility away from the bustling main road.
[3] At the end of Church Road, at the memorial clock tower, cross over the main road at the pelican crossing into Old Hall Road, with the Horse and Farrier on your left. Go to the end of the road passing the impressive gates of Gatley Medical Centre on your left.
[4] Shortly after at the T junction turn left then bear left into Brookside Road. Follow the road down, there is Gatley Brook on left. At the entrance to Jeffries Nursery keep right. At the end of the lane at the small car park for Gatley Carrs Nature Reserve turn sharp left onto public footpath past steel gates.
(B) Gatley Carrs Nature Reserve consists of some 25 acres of Scrubland, woodland, marsh and a couple of ponds and is a local haven for wildlife. The Gatley Carrs Conservation Group has been active in planting trees and shrubs, installing benches and litter bins. Areas are set aside to encourage wild flowers and the area is frequented by many bird species. There are many tracks through the area and it seems to be little known outside the immediate area.
[5] Follow the footpath with the brook on left through a metal swing gate and arrive at the pond viewing platform on the right. Carry on along the path by stream to a bridge, turn left to cross it then bear left uphill to leave the trees and arrive on Lorna Grove.
[6] Turn right and at the end of Lorna Grove go forward into the wood past green metal fence with red reflective squares. Once in the trees immediately turn left and follow the track up to Longley Lane. Take care and cross Longley Lane by Orchard Gardens to the public footpath opposite.
[7] Take the footpath and bear left keeping the railings on your right. At the end of the railings cross Robeson Way. At main road go right. Then at the junction with Edgecote Close cross the main Altrincham Road and enter Hollyhedge Park (C).
[8] Follow the path as it winds its way uphill and at the fork go right and pass the basketball pitch on your left. Leave the park at the car park and turn left along Stancliffe Road. Follow this road to its junction with the busy Brownley Road.
[9] Turn left and walk a short way back to St Luke’s.