Cannock to Rugeley
A station-to-station walkStaffordshireWest Midlands
Recommended: A place of quiet delight, and in autumn, a painter's palette spilled across the woodland floor; The Chase... is a place of enchantment. A tried-and-tested off-road walk through woodland nature parks, alongside a railway and brooks, over the open heath and forest of Cannock Chase, with brief, benign urban sections. Gentle climbs; no stiles, only gates and steps and bridges. A worn verge provides safe passage near Hazelmoor Farm. Crosses Cannock Chase, noted for its deer. Uses well-used local paths not marked on OS maps (look for Stookie's Alley and other unmarked turnings). A detour via Canrug-2 reaches the visitor centre.
Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.
Lunch: A choice of refreshment, a pub chain and a large supermarket in Hednesford mid-route, plus a detour to the Chase visitor centre.
Warnings: A sign on the Chase reports cattle as summer visitors.
Credits
Walk details: Slow Ways.