Walking the Sandstone Trail
The Sandstone Trail offers some of the best walking in Cheshire. It promises superb, well signposted and waymarked paths across the loveliest countryside in Cheshire and northern Shropshire.
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| A party of happy walkers on the Sandstone Trail in Delamere Forest |
"The Sandstone Trail is an easy, well signposted, three day family walk with a variety of terrain and wonderful views. We highly recommend it."
— Hugh Baker, Leatherhead, Surrey
High ground has always been a magnet to walkers; and for most of the way the Sandstone Trail follows the dramatic, wooded sandstone ridge that runs roughly top to bottom across the Cheshire Plain. With its beautiful scenery and broad, ever-changing views, the Sandstone Trail is an invigorating walk at any time of year. By common consensus, it's one of the best Cheshire footpaths.
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| Walkers can join the Sandstone Trail at countless points along the route. Apart from a few small towns and settlements, the Trail runs mostly through lovely open country. |
Which Direction?
Historically, and for good practical reasons, most people choose to walk from north to south (from Frodsham to Whitchurch), with the sun on their faces and the best views of Beeston Castle ahead; nonetheless, the Sandstone Trail can, of course, be enjoyed equally well in either direction. A minority walk northwards from Whitchurch to Frodsham.
The official guide, Walking Cheshire's Sandstone Trail, includes detailed route descriptions in both directions, as well as large scale Ordnance Survey mapping throughout. The maps in the book are the only ones you'll need.
Equally, most people walk the Sandstone Trail in sections to suit their individual style and pace. The Trail can be joined at numerous places along the way, and the well managed and waymarked side paths give easy access to towns, villages, pubs, cafes and other amenities.
They also provide a wealth of potential circular routes (For thirteen well-planned circular walks on the Sandstone Trail, see Circular Walks along the Sandstone Trail by Carl Rogers).
Section by Section
The official guidebook, 'Walking Cheshire's Sandstone Trail', breaks the route into seven easy and enjoyable sections that start and finish logically at convenient towns, villages, roads or key points.
On the other hand, Cheshire West and Chester County Council's Sandstone Trail leaflet and website split the Trail into three roughly equal parts. Each section is around 18 kilometres/11 miles: an enjoyable day's walk in one direction for anyone who is reasonably fit.
Others choose to spread the journey across two days, staying overnight at a suitable halfway stop in Higher Burwardsley, close to Beeston Castle and Beeston Market, or perhaps in Tarporley.
Alternatively, a few of the central inns, hotels and bed and breakfasts cater specifically for walkers and will transport you to the start of your day's walk in the morning and collect you again in the evening, just in time for a welcome hot bath, a pint or two, and dinner. Ask individual accommodation providers for details.
Seasoned walkers can complete the Trail in one go; this is best achieved during the long summer days and takes around twelve hours. But be warned: it's a long way; as one weary walker remarked 'for the last few miles the stiles were ten feet high'.
Sandstone Trail Race
More extreme still is the Sandstone Trail Race held in May each year, when serious competitors attempt to walk or even run non-stop along the central part of the Trail. Everyone completing the Sandstone Trail challenge gets a medal. For details, see Deeside Orienteering.
Total ascent/descent for the whole Sandstone Trail is 1268 metres/4160 feet.
Please remember that the Sandstone Trail is for walkers only; mountain bikes are actively discouraged, and horses are welcome only on short stretches of bridleway.
Dogs are welcome but should be kept under close control, especially near farm buildings and livestock. Please consider other walkers and clean up after your dog.
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