Mow Cop Castle to Kinver Edge
147km/92 milesSigned
Across the county from north to south, setting out from gritstone hills on the edge of the Peak District southeast via Congleton, Leek, the Caldon Canal and the steep wooded slopes of the Churnet Valley ("Staffordshire's Rhineland") to Uttoxeter. Here the route turns southwest via the Trent Valley, parkland at Shugborough Hall and Cannock Chase. From Penkridge it turns south, passing to the west of Wolverhampton through gentle pastoral scenery and parkland via Brewood to the dramatic sandstone ridge of Kinver Edge.
The Way was opened in three stages by Staffordshire council between 1977 and 1983, and was resurveyed and refurbished with the assistance of the Ramblers' Association to mark the Association's 60th anniversary in 1995.
The 76km/47.5-mile section between Rushton Spencer and Cannock Chase is now part of European path E2.
The Leek to Rushton Spencer Greenway (8.5km/5.5 miles EASY), a multi-user route along a former railway line, provides an alternative route between these two points, running parallel to the Way.
The Oakamoor to Denstone Greenway (7km/4.5 miles EASY), uses another stretch of the same former railway line to provide another parallel multi-user route along the Churney Valley.
No publication is available for either of the greenways, but the routes are clear on OS maps and further information is available from Staffordshire council.
The Greenways provide easy and level walking, with good surfaces between Leek and north of Rudyard Lake, and between Oakamoor and Alton. The Leek to Rushton Spencer route has wheelchair access via a RADAR key gate at Rudyard. For more information contact
Staffordshire council.
Public Transport
Much of the Way passes close to major towns and cities and is easily accessible by public transport, though note that many buses do not run on Sundays. The principle points are:
Mow Cop: short distance from regular buses linking Hanley (Stoke), Kidsgrove (rail services to Macclesfield, Stockport, Manchester, Stoke, Stafford, Birmingham, Crewe), Congleton.
Congleton: rail services to Macclesfield, Stockport, Manchester, Stoke, Stafford, Birmingham
Leek: numerous buses
Froghall: buses to Leek and Cheadle
Rocester: buses to Hanley (Stoke) and Uttoxeter,
Uttoxeter: trains to Stoke and Derby, buses
Abbots Bromley: infrequent postbus to Rugeley.
Rugeley (Trent Valley): trains to Tamworth, Stafford, Stoke, Hednesford, Birmingham, buses
Colwich, Little Heywood, Milford: frequent daily buses Stafford, Rugeley, Tamworth
Cannock Chase (Chase Road): footpath link (5km/3 miles approx) to Hednesford for trains to Rugeley and Birmingham
Penkridge: trains to Stafford, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, buses
Brewood: buses to Wolverhampton, Penkridge (daily), Stafford
Codsall: trains to Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, buses
Pattingham: buses to Wolverhampton (daily), Bridgnorth
Kinver: buses to Stourbridge (trains to Worcester, Birmingham)
More information: West Midlands | National enquiry lines
Publications
- The Staffordshire Way. Staffordshire County Council £6.99 + p&p. Order here!
Spiral-bound official route guide with route description, background information and detailed maps. [1996] - The Staffordshire Way & the Way for the Millennium. Accommodation and Information Leaflet, free. Order here!
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