Walk the Staffordshire Way
The Staffordshire Way is a 92-mile / 148 km long-distance trail from Mow Cop in the north of Staffordshire to Kinver Edge in the south. Running almost the entire length of the county, the route links the gritstone hills of the Staffordshire Moorlands with river valleys, canals, historic parkland, heathland and the sandstone landscapes around Kinver.
Beginning at Mow Cop, close to the Staffordshire-Cheshire border, the trail passes Mow Cop Castle before crossing the high ground towards The Cloud. This northern section follows the upland fringe of the Staffordshire Moorlands before turning south towards Rudyard Lake and Leek.
From Leek, the Staffordshire Way enters the wooded landscapes of the Churnet Valley. The route follows paths and canal-side sections through countryside around Deep Hayes and the Caldon Canal before continuing through the valley towards Oakamoor and Rocester.
Beyond Rocester, the trail crosses rolling farmland towards Uttoxeter before continuing through the Trent Valley. Rivers, canals and agricultural landscapes accompany the route south towards Great Haywood and the parkland of Shugborough Estate, where the Staffordshire Way crosses the historic estate and reaches Essex Bridge at the meeting of the Rivers Trent and Sow.
The route then enters Cannock Chase National Landscape, crossing its characteristic heathland, woodland and valleys. The Staffordshire Way is one of the long-distance trails running directly through this protected landscape, with sections around Milford, Sherbrook Valley and the wider Chase connecting the Trent Valley with the countryside farther south.
Leaving Cannock Chase, the trail continues towards Penkridge before crossing the estate and farming landscapes of southern Staffordshire. The route passes through countryside around Brewood, Chillington Hall, Codsall and Pattingham as it approaches the sandstone country close to the county's southern boundary.
The final section passes through Highgate Common before reaching Kinver Edge, a high sandstone ridge of heath and woodland overlooking the surrounding countryside. The Staffordshire Way ends here close to the Kinver Rock Houses, completing the journey from the gritstone uplands at Mow Cop to the sandstone landscapes of southern Staffordshire.
Overview
Distance: 92 miles / 148 km
Typical duration: 6–8 walking days
Difficulty: Moderate
Start: Mow Cop
Finish: Kinver Edge
Terrain: Upland paths, farmland, woodland, canal towpaths, river valleys, heathland, parkland and sandstone ridges
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