Staffordshire

Extending from the forests and heaths of Cannock Chase in the south to the beautiful and remote Staffordshire Peak in the north, the meadows and pastures of Lichfield and the Bromleys in the east, and the heartland of England's canal heritage in its far south-west, Staffordshire offers a varied tapestry of easily accessible walking locations.

The Staffordshire Moorlands, in the north of the county, has to be the best area for walking. Situated on the southern fringes of the Peak District it's an ideal base for everything from gentle strolls to energetic hill walking. More demanding footpaths can be found among the rugged crags of The Roaches or along the ancient packhorse trails of the Dane Valley. Long distance walkers can enjoy the scenic pleasures of the Staffordshire Way, Gritstone Trail and Limestone Way. If you prefer short circular walks, head for the softer landscapes of the limestone dales, the Churnet Valley, Rudyard Lake or local country parks.

North of Leek lies some of the most impressive scenery in the county in the form of The Roaches, a group of rocky fortress like hills set amidst wild moorland. The highest, at 1,500 feet, is called Five Clouds.

South of Leek down to the east of Cheadle runs the beautiful richly wooded Churnet Valley. The Staffordshire Way runs along the valley, providing an easy waymarked route, but there are numerous other options for shorter walks in the valley. Possibilities include visits to Coombes Valley RSPB Reserve with peaceful walks in secluded oak woodlands, or Hawksmoor Nature Reserve near Cheadle with moor, marsh and woodland.

Furthe east the equally beautiful Manifold Valley provides peaceful riverside walking besides this tranquil, lazy river as it meanders through a delightful pastoral landscape. Near the lovely and interesting village of Ilam there is an abundance of wild meadow flowers in the summer months. From Wetton, at the north of the Valley, it is possible to walk to Thors Cave 300 feet above the valley floor. This 30 feet high cavern, named after the Norse god of thunder, provides an impressive viewpoint.

To the north west of Leek Rudyard Reservoir provides a popular recreational centre for boating, fishing and walking. The delightful village of Rudyard at the south end of the reservoir is set near lovely woods bordering the shore of the reservoir. There are pleasant walks in the woods and along the shoreline. A new visitor centre at Rudyard Lake tells you all you need to know about the area's facinating wildlife.

Further west at Biddulph Grange Country Park you can trace the estate's environmentally friendly history by following the one mile Hydroelectric Walk. Further west still, on the Cheshire border, stands The Old Man of Mow, a 1100 ft. high crag topped with a ruined folly known as Mow Cop Castle.

	Guide Books: [For further information or to purchase]
	Village Walks in Staffordshire by: NickChanner. 20 walks from 2 to 6 miles introduce the walker to some of the most picturesque villages in the county, such as Barlaston, Salt, Brocton, Lapley and Brewood. The village of Cheddleton is probably most famous for its historic flint mill which dates from the 18th century. Two wheels were turned by the millrace in order to grind flint powder which was then sent by barge to the Potteries for use in the production of china. Abbots Bromley is also worth a visit; it is on the edge of Needwood Forest, once a royal hunting ground. Wall's history is even older. It used to be a posting station during the Roman occupation and a recent excavation has found the most complete Roman bath-house anywhere in the country.
	Walking in Staffordshire by: Julie Meech. 40 walks, between 3 and 10.5 miles in length. The walk locations include: Three Shires Head; Flash Bar; The Roaches; Leek; Upper Hulme; Rushton Spencer; Longnor; Hollinsclough; Hartington; Sheen; Alstonefield; Wetton; Warslow; Grindon; Rudyard Lake; Biddulph; Kidsgrove; Mow Cop; Cheddleton; Consall; Kingsley; Froghall; Whiston; Hazlescross; Alton; Farley; Barlaston; Stone; Norbury Junction; Coton; Milford; Tixall; Sherbrook Valley; Rugeley; Bishton; Hednesford; Brindley Heath; Alrewas; Lichfield; Tamworth; Alvecote Pools; Pelsall; Little Wyrley; Wombourne; Kinver Edge; Enville; Stourton; Stourbridge Canal; Hagley; Whittington.
	100 Walks in Staffordshire by: various contributors. An omnibus of local walks covering the whole of Staffordshire. The book is ideal for family outings and as a valuable reference book for residents wanting to explore their county. The wide choice of routes are spread very evenly across the county and vary in length from 3 to 12 miles, the majority being in the 4/6 mile range. They are listed in the contents by length, making it easy to find routes that suit your circumstances. In addition to the route descriptions, details are given of points of interest along the way, places to eat and drink and where to park the car. Sketch maps and route descriptions are on facing pages.
	50 Walks in Staffordshire by: Local walking experts. 50 themed walks of between 2 and 10 miles, each with fascinating background reading. There are clear, easy-to-follow route descriptions, including detailed sketch maps, for every walk. Information on what to look out for during the walk and places to eat and drink is provided. The walk locations include: Flash; Longnor; The Roaches; Danebridge; Rudyard Reservoir; Mow Cop; Tittesworth Reservoir; Manifold Valley; Ecton Hill; Leek; Endon; Cheddleton; Grindon; Mere Hill; Stoke-on-Trent; Apedale; Ilam; Caldonlow; Waterhouses; Consall; Froghall; Ellastone; Alton; Trentham; Loggerheads; Hanchurch; Barlaston; Downs Banks; Tutbury; Hanbury; Stafford Castle; Shugborough; Norbury; Abbots Bromley; Rugeley; Cannock Chase; Brewood; Lichfield; Whittington; Chasewater; Trysull; Wombourne; Kinver.
	Pub Walks in Staffordshire by: Nick Channer. 30 walks from 2.5 to 6 miles. There are walks in all parts of the county, from Kinver Edge on the Worcestershire border, to Harlaston, in the south east, and craggy Hen Cloud, part of The Roaches, in the far north. Remote and picturesque villages are explored, as well as the facinating canal town of Stone and historic Tutbury with its castle. Locations are: Kinver; Lower Penn; Brewood; Bishop's Wood; Derrington; Norbury Junction; Copmere End; Gnosall; Stone; Barlaston; Hill Chorlton; Wrinehill; Rudyard; Upper Hulme; Hulme End; Denford; Onecote; Wetton; Alstonefield; Ipstones; Ellastone; Alton; Saverley Green; Salt; Abbots Bromley; Tutbury; Milford; Cannock Wood; Fradley Junction; Harlaston.
	Short Walks from Staffordshire Pubs by: Nick Channer. 20 circular walks and all of them are less than 5 miles in length. Many of the routes are centred on particular places of scenic or historic interest. There is spectacular scenery on view from the lofty village of Mow Cop, with its eerie atmosphere and famous ruined folly. On the walk from Stanley you can enjoy glorious views of the wooded Churnet valley. The industrial heritage of the Potteries, now firing the imagination as well as clay, can be seen at every turn on the town trail through Hanley and Etruria. Locations are: Mow Cop; Longnor; Stanley; Wetton; Betley; Etruria; Foxt; Oakamoor; Swynnerton; Milwich; Sandon; High Offley; Gnosall; Hoar Cross; Wheaton Aston; Slitting Mill; Whittington; Kingswood; Wombourne; Stourton.
	Waterside Walks in Staffordshire by: Roger Noyce. 20 circular routes between 1.5 and 5.5 miles. Locations are: Longnor and Manifold Valley; Meerbrook and Tittesworth Reservoir; Rudyard Reservoir; Grindon and the Manifold Way; Cheddleton and the Caldon Canal; Etrucia and the Two Canals Walk; Consall Forge to Froghall Wharf; Barlaston and the Trent and Mersey Canal; The Brooks of Milwich; The River Dove at Tutbury; High Offley and the Shropshire Union Canal; The Trent Washlands and Burton upon Trent; Stafford and River Sow; Great Haywood; Alrewas; Whittington and the Coventry Canal; Brewood and the Shropshire Union Canal; Chasewater and its Country Park; The Bratch Locks Walk and Trysull; Kinver and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.