Section 6 of 14, Staffordshire Way
Alton to Cannock Chase
20.5 miles (33.1 km). About 7 hours, challenging.
Start: SK 072 422. Finish: SJ 929 633. 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 519 m of climbing and 510 m of descent; highest point 224 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Alton.
- Bus stops
- Post Office, 140 m from the start. Directions SK 072 421Saltersford Lane, 520 m from the start. Directions SK 073 417Denstone Road, 530 m from the start. Directions SK 073 417
- Car parks
- Car park (free), 240 m from the start. Directions SK 071 425Car park, 380 m from the start. Directions SK 072 426
Getting back
The section finishes at Cannock Chase. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stop
- Bosley, Leek Road / Minn End Lane, 790 m from the finish. Directions SJ 928 641
Planning the Staffordshire Way
- Planning the whole trail: staffordshire.gov.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: gravel and tracks 33%, earth, rock and mud 27%, paved or flagged 11%; the rest (30%) isn't recorded.
About 13% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 41 stiles, 5 kissing gates, 11 gates, 14 flights of steps.
Steepest climb: about 85 m in a kilometre (1 in 12), starting 1.5 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- The Royal Oak, Alton: 0.2 miles in.Black Lion Consall: 8 miles in. Seats outside.The Boat Inn, Cheddleton: 10.4 miles in.Red Lion, Cheddleton: 11.1 miles in.The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer: 19.9 miles in. Food.The Black Lion, Cheddleton: 11.2 miles in, about 150 m off the way. Seats outside.The Wheel Inn, Longsdon: 13.4 miles in, about 200 m off the way.Royal Oak, Rushton Spencer: 19.7 miles in, about 300 m off the way.
- Cafés
- Adventure Centre, Rudyard: 17 miles in, about 150 m off the way.Mini Beans Coffee, Rudyard: 17.9 miles in, about 250 m off the way. Seats outside.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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