Walks and Events

Printer-friendly Programme

Saturday, 20th March 2010   THE "HA-HA" CANNOCK CHASE WALK    6 miles  3 hrs   Grade 2
Start Time: 10:00am    Grid Ref: SJ972211. Follow the A34 out of Stafford and pick up the A513 towards Milford at Radford Bank. The road leads directly into the centre of Milford by the Common where there is a large car park.
The walks starts from Milford Common car park and takes in Shugborough Hall and Parklands. There will be an opportunity to go on the "Ha-Ha" walk on the Shugborough estate before we continue on to Great Haywood. From there we will follow the Staffordshire Canal back to Milford. You won't see anything funny on the walk, as most people expect. The expression "Ha-ha" is simply the name for a sunken path. Lunch required.
Walk leader: Beckie 07889 010326 Area Map    Start Point Map

Sunday, 21st March 2010   ASHFORD-IN-THE-WATER AND CRESSBROOK DALE    12 miles  7 hrs   Grade 3
Start Time: 10:00am    Grid Ref: SK195698. From the A6 between Buxton and Bakewell turn onto the road sign-posted Ashford-in-the-Water. Then turn first left and follow the road around until you see the P sign for the free car park. It is small, but there are other street spaces if needed.
Starting from Ashford in the Water, we'll head north to the village of Great Longstone, then a steep climb over Longstone Edge to Black Harry Lane. After a while we head West across rolling fields toward Cressbrook Dale, and following the dale pass by Cressbrook Mill and join part of the Monsal Trail. We then head back via Monsal Head to some welcome refreshments in Ashford. Lunch required.
Walk leader: Lee 2 07773 930315 Area Map    Start Point Map

Sunday, 28th March 2010   KETTLESHULME & SPONDS HILL    8 miles  6 hrs   Grade 2
Start Time: 10:00am    Grid Ref: SJ956795. Head for Pott Shrigley from the B5470 coming out of Macclesfield. Start from a small parking space on the road from Pott Shrigley to Kettleshulme marked as 'Bakestonedale Road'.
This route dispels the idea that Cheshire is a flat county!! This walk has a couple of long steep ascents towards the end but your efforts are well rewarded by nice views and interesting changes of landscape. Lunch required.
Walk leader: Sam 07798 763732 Area Map    Start Point Map

Friday, 2nd April 2010    SNOWDONIA    3 nights    Grade 4
See Weekend Programme for details

Saturday, 10th April 2010  GO APE! CANNOCK
See Social Programme for Details

Sunday, 11th April 2010   WHEATON ASTON AND MITTON    9 miles  6 hrs   Grade 2
Start Time: 10:00am    Grid Ref: SJ852126. From the A5, turn off at Ivetsy Bank towards Wheaton Aston. Follow the road into Wheaton Aston and the Hartley Arms is on Long Street. (postcode ST19 9NF).
Starting from the Hartley Arms in Wheaton Aston, we walk along the Shropshire Union Canal briefly and pick up the Staffordshire Way. We will cross Bickford Meadows, an area of Scientific Interest, before heading into Mitton. From there we walk across farmland before meeting the Shropshire Union Canal once again for our return into Wheaton Aston. Lunch required.
Walk leader: Beckie 07889 010326 Area Map    Start Point Map

Sunday, 18th April 2010   ROBIN HOOD'S STRIDE    13 miles  6 hrs   Grade 2
Start Time: 10:00am    Grid Ref: SK270621. On the A515 (Buxton to Ashbourne) turn left on to the A5012 towards Pikehall. Where the A5012 bends off to the right, take the left turn towards Winster. Cross over the B5056, pass Winster itself, and join the B5057 to Darley Bridge. Follow the B5057 through Darley Bridge, cross the bridge over the river and we'll meet at the car park on left just beyond the bridge (opposite the Square & Compass).
Our route will pass through Upper Town, Bradford, and Winster, utilising the Limestone Way for much of the second half of the walk before returning to Darley Bridge, and the pub. Lunch required.
Walk leader: Phil 01782 398849 / 07890 144047 Area Map    Start Point Map

Sunday, 25th April 2010   THREE PEAKS OF CHESHIRE    14 miles  7 hrs   Grade 3
Start Time: 10:00am    Grid Ref: SJ988699. From Leek take the A53 Macclesfield road. Turn right at the Bosley Crossroads onto the A54, and just before Allgreave turn left and travel towards Wildboarclough. Park at the car park next to Clough House.
A walk across moorland and through woods, taking in Shining Tor, Tegg's Nose and Shutlingsloe. This walk features quite a number of steep and prolonged ascents/descents. Lunch required.
Walk leader: Adrian 07976 049422 Area Map    Start Point Map

Friday, 30th April 2010    LAKE DISTRICT WEEKEND    3 nights    Grade 3
See Weekend Programme for details

Sunday, 9th May 2010   BLEAKLOW AND THE SUPERFORTRESS WRECKAGE    9 miles  6 hrs   Grade 3
Start Time: 10:00am    Grid Ref: SK109914. Take the A57 from Glossop, heading east. After 5 miles the car park is on the left in a woodland section of the road, called Birchen Clough.
The walk takes us on a path beside the road until we reach Snake pass. Here we head north on the Pennine Way until we reach Bleaklow Head. We then leave the marked paths and head south-west toward the lonely wreckage of a B29 Superfortress aircraft which crashed here in 1948. From the memorial, we head toward the trig point at Higher Shelf Stones before turning south-east to rejoin the Pennine Way. We then retrace our steps back to the woodland and car park. Lunch required.
Walk leader: Lee 2 07773 930315 Area Map    Start Point Map

Saturday, 15th May 2010   DOXEY MARSHES    4 miles  2 hrs   Grade 1
Start Time: 10:00am    Grid Ref: SJ917234. Meet at Sainsbury's car park, Stafford. If coming from the north head for the Gaol Gate Gyratory, and take the signs for Newport. Passing Sainsbury's store on your right turn right at the next roundabout into Doxey Road, then the next right at the following roundabout.
A pleasant walk through Doxey Marshes Nature Reserve then return back by the River Sow and Victoria Park.
Walk leader: Paul 07791 469071 Area Map    Start Point Map

Sunday, 16th May 2010   HARTINGTON    11 miles  6 hrs   Grade 2
Start Time: 10:30am    Grid Ref: SK128604. Follow the A515 to Buxton from Ashbourne. Turn left at the signpost to Hartington. Park in the town square or on the surrounding roads.
A walk along the River Dove, Wolfscote Dale and the villages of Mill Dale and Alstonefield, with the occasional steep climb. There may be a pub stop half way round. Lunch required.
Walk leader: Steve 07724 967031 Area Map    Start Point Map

Sunday, 23rd May 2010   THE LONG MYND    13 miles  6 hrs   Grade 3
Start Time: 10:30am    Grid Ref: SO384928. Park on the roadside, and meet at the Crown Inn in Wentor, reached by taking the A49 south from Church Stretton, then turning right on the A489, then right again onto a minor road in Eaton.
A pleasant area of Shropshire, this walk travels over the Long Mynd, and passes through the villages of Minton and Asterton. Lunch required.
Walk leader: Susie 01785 253071 / 07531 649650 Area Map    Start Point Map

Friday, 28th May 2010    YORKSHIRE THREE PEAKS WEEKEND    3 nights    Grade 4
See Weekend Programme for details

Saturday, 12th June 2010   HAWKSTONE PARK FOLLIES    4 miles  2 hrs   Grade 1
Start Time: 11:00am    Grid Ref: SJ575295. Drive out of Newcastle on the A53 Whitmore road, pass Loggerheads and Market Drayton, then enter the village of Hodnet and follow the sings for Hawkstone Park.
A short but interesting exploration of the towers and grottos of this 18th century folly garden. There is a cafe on site. Free parking (at time of writing) but there is a charge of around £6 to enter. Lunch required.
Walk leader: Steve 07724 967031 Area Map    Start Point Map

Sunday, 13th June 2010   FIVE DALES    9 miles  5 hrs   Grade 2
Start Time: 10:30am    Grid Ref: SK151755. Take the A6 from Bakewell towards Buxton, and follow the B6049 to Tideswell. Drive into the centre of Tideswell and park in the Cherry Tree Square car park or surrounding roads.
A walk featuring the five dales of Tansley, Cressbrook, Water-cum-Jolly, Miller's and Tideswell. Each one is distinctive and attractive. A fairly flat walk with the occasional climb. Lunch required.
Walk leader: Steve 07724 967031 Area Map    Start Point Map

Saturday, 19th June 2010   STONE TO BARLASTON    6 miles  3 hrs   Grade 1
Start Time: 10:00am    Grid Ref: SJ897345. From Stone town centre "ring road" head out on the A520 towards Leek for 100yards. Turn left into Kings Avenue before the railway line at the traffic lights. Follow Kings Avenue (which changes name to Tunley St) to the end, Station Approach (and parking) is straight ahead.
Leisurely wander from Stone to Barlaston, passing through the National Trust lowland heath of Downs Banks, and returning along the Trent & Mersey Canal. Optional pub lunch back in Stone.
Walk leader: James 07792 470394 Area Map    Start Point Map

Sunday, 20th June 2010   WILDBOARCLOUGH & SHUTLINGSLOE    7 miles  5 hrs   Grade 2
Start Time: 10:00am    Grid Ref: SJ961711. From Leek take the A523 (Macclesfield road), and before entering Macclesfield turn right towards Sutton and Langley. The reservoir is in about 2 miles. The start is the Trentabank Reservoir Car Park with toilets.
The uniquely shaped Shutlingsloe (the Macclesfield Matterhorn) is visible for most of the walk, but it's not until near the end that we will stand on its top and trace our route. From the summit we will have unrestricted views of Shining Tor, Kinder, The Cloud and the mountains of Wales (assuming it is a clear day!). Lunch required.
Walk leader: Sam 07798 763732 Area Map    Start Point Map

Sunday, 27th June 2010   IRONBRIDGE    10 miles  5 hrs   Grade 2
Start Time: 10:00am    Grid Ref: SJ665037. Take the A518 from Newport down to the A442 (Queensway). Follow the A442, passing Telford, and continue on the Queensway as it becomes the A4169. Carry straight on at the Castlefields Roundabout, and then turn left into Cherry Tree Hill. At the end of Cherry Tree Hill, turn left into Wellington Road, which becomes Dale Road. At the end of Dale Road turn left into The Wharfage, and the car park is on the right, just before the The Swan pub.
A wander around the Ironbridge Gorge, exploring parts of The Silkin Way, and crossing the famous Iron Bridge itself, before putting our feet up for a well earned rest in The Swan. Lunch required.
Walk leader: Phil 01782 398849 / 07890 144047 Area Map    Start Point Map


Points to Remember:
1. Please call the walk leader before the walk in case any details have changed.
2. Make sure that you are suitably dressed for the weather. Remember that some walks are on exposed high land and the weather can be cold and wet. Denim jeans are not suitable for high-level walks.
3. Dogs are welcome but only with the prior agreement of the walk leader
4. If the walk leader decides to shorten the walk then that decision is final and is not open to negotiation. The leader will only do this when there is a good reason for doing so.
5. Even if a walk does not state packed lunch, it is always advisable to bring something to eat and drink.
6. If transport is shared, please provide the driver with a share of the fuel costs.
7. Non RA members are welcome to join us for 3 walks before being asked to join the RA. There are no exceptions to this.
8. Regrettably, due to the nature of the programme, we are unable to accept children on our walks.
9. Web site address: www.staffs-walkers.org.uk
10. You are responsible for your own safety at all times.

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This site was last updated on 22 January 2010