Part of the Sandstone Trail, this circular walk gives stunning views over the Cheshire Plain and North Shropshire.
Start: SJ521565
Length: 5.0 miles
Duration: 2.0 hours
Grade: Moderate
The starting point is the lower car park at the Cheshire Candle Workshop where there is a Sandstone Trail information board. Exit the car park and cross straight over the junction where you will see Rock Lane leading off up the hill. Follow the lane until you see a Sandstone Trail signpost and gate leading off the the right.
The walk leads off across several fields which can be quite muddy and slippery, so take care and wear good footwear. Some of the fields may also contain livestock so keep a safe distance away and keep and dogs under control.
After the fields, a road comes in to view. Follow this a short way up the hill where another signpost leads off to the left along a track with a stone wall. This is still the Sandstone Trail.
To the left will be a set of stone steps leading up the hill in to the forest. Keep following the track.
Eventually the path leads around the the right as you enter a large clearer area with fewer trees. Also, if you take care and look down the hill to the left you will see an old railway track.
This is Bulkeley Hill where there is a viewpoint looking southwards.
Continue along the path and through the forest.
The path then crosses farmland.
At the other side of the field is Coppermines Lane. Cross over at the juntion following the sign for Raw Head Farm.
Passing the track to the farm, keep going straight on until you see another gate on the left.
The path becomes more maintained from here onwards. There are several footpaths leading off, but keep to the Sandstone Trail.
After a while the triangulation point at Raw Head comes in to view. Although the Sandstone Trail continues south, this is the point where this walk turns back to retrace the route to Raw Head Farm.
Go past the footpath sign at the farm.
Then, just afterwards you will see a footpath leading off to the left. Take this turn, which is breaking away from the Sandstone Trail, then at the next sign, turn left to cross a large field heading off down a slope.
The stile isn't visible at first but keep going. Then cross the next field as well.
The path then takes a diagonal to the left before crossing another stile and across a small stream which can be quite muddy.
After the stream, follow the curve of the field to the right. The signposts here seem to have vanished.
Eventually you will come to another stile with a lane on the other side. Turn left to go up the hill.
This is the village of Burwardsley where the church comes in to view. Turn right the the T junction to pass the church on your left. At the end of the road turn right up the hill.
The Pheasant pub will come in to view and the car park at the start of the walk can be found on the right at the top of the hill. The views across the Cheshire Plain and towards the Mersey Estuary and Liverpool are fantastic on a clear summer evening.
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