Section 3 of 5, Dane Valley Way
North Rode to Illidge Green
9.7 miles (15.7 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: SJ 890 659. Finish: SJ 799 640. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
About 137 m of climbing and 167 m of descent; highest point 123 m.
Getting there
The section starts at North Rode.
- Bus stops
- North Rode, Church Lane / Buxton Road, 280 m from the start. Directions SJ 893 661North Rode, Church Lane / St Michael's Church, 540 m from the start. Directions SJ 889 665
- Car park
- Car park, 590 m from the start. Directions SJ 888 665
Getting back
The section finishes at Illidge Green. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stop
- Illidge Green, Davenport Lane / Moorhead Lane, 980 m from the finish. Directions SJ 791 634
Planning the Dane Valley Way
- Planning the whole trail: congletonramblers.org.uk.
- The guidebook the trail recommends: Upper Dane Valley and Lower Dane Valley Way (Congleton Ramblers).
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 39%, earth, rock and mud 12%, grass 9%, gravel and tracks 7%; the rest (33%) isn't recorded.
About 26% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 11 stiles, 20 kissing gates, 11 gates, 2 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 34 m in a kilometre (1 in 29), starting 4 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- The Plough Inn, Eaton: 1.5 miles in.Lord Mountbatten, Congleton: 3.8 miles in. Seats outside.Farmers Arms, Congleton: 4.3 miles in. Seats outside.Congleton Cricket Social Club: 4.3 miles in.Church House Inn, Buglawton: 3 miles in, about 400 m off the way. Seats outside.The Throstles Nest, Buglawton: 3.3 miles in, about 150 m off the way.Beartown Tap, Congleton: 3.6 miles in, about 300 m off the way. Seats outside.Reubens Bar & BBQ, Congleton: 3.7 miles in, about 400 m off the way.The Black Bear, Congleton: 3.7 miles in, about 400 m off the way.Crazy Moose Ski Shack, Congleton: 3.7 miles in, about 350 m off the way.And 16 more within a quarter of a mile.
- Cafés
- Feast, Buglawton: 3.3 miles in. Seats outside.Top Nosh, Congleton: 4.2 miles in.GG’s Coffee Hub, West Heath: 4.9 miles in. Seats outside.Sienna's, Congleton: 3.7 miles in, about 350 m off the way. Seats outside.Crepe'o'licious, Congleton: 3.7 miles in, about 350 m off the way.Feast, Congleton: 3.7 miles in, about 350 m off the way.Bear Grills Cafe, Congleton: 3.7 miles in, about 250 m off the way.The All Ranks Mess and Community Cafe, Congleton: 3.8 miles in, about 250 m off the way. Seats outside.Costa, Congleton: 3.9 miles in, about 350 m off the way.Brook Lane Coffee Co., Congleton: 4 miles in, about 200 m off the way. Seats outside.And 8 more within a quarter of a mile.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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