Walking in Staffordshire

One of the best ways of getting to know the county of Staffordshire is by walking and not only is it good for you but you will see some of the most sensational countryside.

The Staffordshire moorlands countryside is very well served with over 650 miles of footpaths and has to be the best area for walking. Situated in Staffordshire 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 walking in Staffordshire can be enjoyed along the Staffordshire Way, Gritstone Trail and Limestone Way. For short circular walking in Staffordshire, head for the softer landscapes of the limestone dales, the Churnet Valley, Rudyard Lake or local country parks. Most are signposted and Leek's Tourist Information Centre stocks a wide range of walking guides and maps.  The varied nature of the Staffordshire Moorlands countryside means there is walking available to suit all tastes. 

South of Leek down to the east of Cheadle runs Staffordshire’s wooded Churnet Valley. The Staffordshire Way runs along the valley, providing an easy waymarked walking route, but there are shorter walks in the valley. Possibilities include visits to Coombes Valley Bird Reserve with walking in quiet oak woodlands, or Hawksmoor Nature Reserve near Cheadle with moor, marsh and woodland.

Further east in Staffordshire is the Manifold Valley providing peaceful riverside walking. From Wetton, at the north of the Valley, it is possible to walk to Thors Cave 300 feet above the valley floor from where there are lovely views across Staffordshire.

To the north west of Leek, Rudyard Reservoir provides a popular recreational centre in Staffordshire for boating, fishing and walking. The village of Rudyard at the south end of the reservoir is near lovely woods bordering the shore of the reservoir with walking in the woods and along the shoreline. 

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

Many tourist information centres will provide maps and Staffordshire Moorlands also has rangers for guided walking.