Staffordshire Moorlands District Council

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council

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Home | Information | Leisure and tourism | Tourism and travel | Staffordshire Moorlands Tourism & Leisure

Staffordshire Moorlands Tourism & Leisure

Cycling & Walking

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Cycling

Cycling is the perfect way to discover the diverse landscape of the Staffordshire Moorlands and really appreciate the sights and sounds of the countryside at a leisurely pace.

Manifold Valley Cycling

A number of old railway lines, including the Manifold Track (pictured) have been converted to traffic-free trails providing safe and level cycle-ways. Hire a cycle or bring your own to explore the quiet country lanes and byways.

Click here to download Cycle Routes

The Manifold Track - This follows the old route of the disused Leek and Manifold Light Railway, through the Manifold and Hamps Valleys, from Waterhouses to Hulme End, a total distance of 8¼ miles.

The track is surfaced and fairly level, throughout its length, making it ideal for wheelchair users, those with buggies or prams and people with limited mobility. For all but 2 miles, the track is car-free and shared by walkers, cyclists and pony trekkers.

Visit, or contact the Manifold Valley Visitor Centre in Hulme End for more information.

Walking

Walkers

One of the best ways to really get to know the Staffordshire Moorlands is on foot.

The moorlands countryside is very well served with over 650 miles of footpaths. 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 are walks to suit all tastes.

For short circular walks try:

  • Country parks at Biddulph Grange or Ladderedge
  • Churnet Valley - once a hive of industrial activity now gently buzzing with more leisurely pursuits including a steam railway and traditional narrowboat trips.
  • Tittesworth Water - nestling in the shadow of The Roaches, Tittesworth boasts easy access walks, a new Visitor Centre, adventure playground and nature trail.
  • Rudyard Lake - near the head of the Churnet Valley, a well known beauty spot and was a regular haunt of the young Kiplings who then named their famous son after their favourite place in the Moorlands.

For more challenging and long distance walks try:

If you prefer to walk in a group and at the same time learn about the surrounding countryside you can join a Ranger led guided walk

 

Further information

Cycling in and around Derbyshire

Derbyshire Cycling Information

Cycling in Cheshire

Cheshire Cycling Information

Staffordshire County Council Cycle Maps

SCC have begun a programme to produce cycle maps for each district in Staffordshire. The aims of the maps are to help cyclists plan their journeys around Staffordshire. The routes shown on the maps are those that exist at present and also a number of suggested routes along quieter streets.

Staffordshire County Council Cycling Stategy

In Staffordshire, when complete, National Cycle Network Route 5 will cross into the county from Cheshire via the Trent & Mersey Canal near Kidsgrove, pass through Stoke-on-Trent then go on to Stafford and Lichfield before leaving the county near Burntwood via the Wyrley & Essington canal.

The Manifold and Hamps Trail. A Staffordshire cycle track

In 1904 a narrow gauge railway opened along the Manifold and Hamps valleys, plying between Waterhouses and Hulme End, a distance of 8.5 miles or 14 kilometres.

Contact the Council

You can contact Staffordshire Moorlands District Council online, by email, by telephone, through your television, in person, using our kiosks, by post or fax.

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