I have always felt happy in Compstall and Marple. Several younger versions of myself – from the grubby oik of the sixties, to sullen teen, dutiful dog-walker, newly-wed of the eighties, Berghaus-clad hiker of the nineties and middle-aged jogger of the noughties – have spent long periods in and around the area.

Although I no longer live in close proximity, it still feels welcoming, even amid drizzle.

There is something about the topography that indicates that Compstall is a perfectly natural place to begin a walk.

The village’s most notable attribute is Etherow Country Park and, on any given Sunday, many hundreds tend to flock there to hurl lumps of stale bread at grateful ducks and surly geese and drag offsprings, who would clearly prefer to be with Nintendo, around the larger lake.

As such, the main Etherow car park tends to become crowded.

Parking across Compstall Road – next to the library – is both legitimate, free and tends to be the unofficial ‘walkers’ car park’.

So begin there and, taking care, cross the road and join the path which encircles the lake.

Any side will do. But those nervy of rampant geese might prefer the right-hand pathway.

As you leave the lake and follow the river, you will be intrigued by the low-pitched rumble, gaining volume with every step.

This is Etherow Weir, sensational enough to keep the kids entranced, and you will cross over it via the recently improved bridge.

Continue over the bridge and through the gate, which beckons you into the ‘Woodland Walk’. Immediately you will leave the clamour of children and dogs behind and the woods offer you the sweet scent of Scots pine, providing the welcome illusion of a Lake District ramble.

Take your time.

For this is the most arduous part of the walk and you need to stick to the main path as it zigzags upwards before straightening out to join Glossop Road.

Turn right and follow the pavement for half a mile.

To your right you will be rewarded by glorious views of Werneth Low and Manchester beyond.

If clear enough, the vista also extends to Fiddlers Ferry, the crags of Frodsham and Snowdonia.

After the road bends sharply to the left, cross and take the lane that rises steeply with the fishing pool to the right.

Your efforts will be worth it for, at the top, you will be gifted the sight of the glories of The Peak District with Kinder Scout dominating the view.

Continue forward for two miles, soaking in a lovely desolate atmosphere that is quite the opposite of Etherow's enclosed bustle.

As the road finally dips and bends to the left, cross the stile to the right and take the fenced path to the left of the old quarry.

Continue until you reach the road and turn right.

The road meanders past Gun Cottage and, with Derbyshire nudging close, offers continued stunning views to the left as well as the gentle sight of Mellor to the right.

The pub that greets you – and it saved me from a sudden and unexpected blizzard last year – is The Moorfield Arms.

It welcomes walkers, and serves excellent food and real ales.

The Moorfield makes the perfect half-way house.

Inexplicably, given its Derbyshire stone appearance, it is locally known as ‘The Log Cabin’.

Once refreshed, take the right-hand turning to the side of the pub, and follow it as it winds its lovely way down the valley and into the area known as Mill Brow.

It may seem unlikely, but one often used to see the sight of a pop star around here.

Aztec Camera man Roddy Frame lived in a shack-come-studio in the vicinity and, it has been rumoured, wrote the line: ‘A star above a city in a northern hill’ (from ‘Somewhere in my heart”) while walking home from The Moorfield Arms one night.

This is a gently winding, dipping two-mile stretch that will eventually lead to Glossop Road.

Cross and dip steeply down the lane opposite. You will now be returning to the outposts of Compstall’s leafy suburbia.

When you reach the T-junction, with houses on all sides, turn right and continue down to Compstall Road, before turning right once more.

This will take you over the River Etherow, past the defunct – though evocative – Compstall Mill and bring you straight back to the library car par.

Seven fairly arduous, though hugely rewarding, miles will have been traversed.

A further pub, The Andrew Arms (to the left of the country park), also offers warming pub food.

A further option is sandwiches and toasties at Etherow Country Park cafe.