No matter what time of the year that you visit, Cannock and the surrounding area are great for enjoying the outdoors.
No matter what time of the year that you visit, Cannock and the surrounding area are great for enjoying the outdoors. While we’re all encouraged to get in more steps and walk more often, few people are blessed with the beautiful scenery that a stroll in Cannock can offer. Walking should be something that everyone can enjoy. You’ll find that Cannock has walks that almost anyone can take on. There’s no need to be to be a primed athlete to go ahead and give these walks a try. They’re walks that are about taking in the local beauty rather than taking on a physical challenge. The truth is, when you’re in this part of the country, you’re never going to struggle to find a walk to enjoy. What we’ve included here are five of our favourites, but trust us there are many more that you’ll come across that are equally great.
If you stumbled across this walk by chance then you’ve been extremely lucky. It’s considered as being somewhat of a hidden gem that is off the beaten track. This is an area where there are plenty of open fields and forest walks to be enjoyed. As the name may suggest, the area is dog friendly and there are plenty of opportunities to let your four-legged friends off lead to enjoy a run. You may be a little confused when you first arrive as you’ll see that you have the choice of several paths. All we can say is don’t overthink it. Whichever path you choose, the route is circular and it’ll bring you straight back to the free car park.
This is an area that sees a mix of ancient and young woodland existing side by side. Once a part of the Maple Hays Estate, locals have been enjoying all that’s here since the 12th century. As you walk, you’ll notice the stunning views of nearby Lichfield Cathedral. It is thanks to the springs that were discovered in these woods that Lichfield developed and had a cathedral built in the first place.
If you want to take in some of the area’s history as you enjoy your walk then the Chase Heritage trail could be for you. That being said, this isn’t a circular route. It goes in a straight line and comes in at 10 miles long. While this may be a challenge for some people, generally the areas where you walk are easy to contend with. If the thought of 10 miles in a straight line is a little off-putting, there is another option here. You could opt to start at Cannock Chase Forest. This would then leave you with around 3 miles to walk to the visitor centre where you can refresh yourself before heading back.
If you do head out on the 10-mile walk, you’ll be taking in Rugeley, Hednesford, and Cannock. The walk will give you a real feel of the history of the area and give you an insight into local life. It certainly makes those extra few miles worthwhile.
If you’re looking for something a little shorter then the Fairoak Trail may be a better option. This is a circular walk which will see you clocking up around 2.5 miles. The walk sees you starting in the first before you emerge into the Fairoak Valley and the Fairoak Pools. The valley and pools are a great area to take in some wildlife. As you walk, you’re likely to come across ducks, swans, squirrels, and even deer. You may know that this area has a history linked to coal mining that dates back to the 19th century. Being the former location of a colliery, you can certainly get a feel for this as you complete your walk. You’re likely to spot other clues that tell you about the area’s past too.
This is a walk that’s easy to enjoy with just moderate slopes along the way. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that you’ll come across stepping stones that are used to cross a stream towards the end. If you have a wheelchair you’ll find that there’s an alternative route so that you can avoid these.
If you fancy a shorter walk, the Ladyhill trail is ideal. This is a circular route, that is almost entirely flat and comes in at around the 1-mile mark. This walk is perhaps one of the most wheelchair friendly that you’ll come across. As well as being one of the shorter walks in Cannock, there are other reasons that this one is a great choice. As you take your wander you’ll be coming across fairy trees as well as a sculpture of the Gruffalo. The truth is that you’re never too old to marvel at the sight of the Gruffalo in the woods and your grandchildren will be in awe of you!
There’s also a great open space that can be enjoyed. This makes an ideal spot to take the weight off your feet for a while and to enjoy a picnic. Picnics and great outdoor walks go hand in hand and the Ladyhill Trail proves this.
This is a walk that is often described as an epic trek. Coming in at almost 9 miles you can probably understand why. What makes this walk so great is that you get the chance to appreciate a little bit of everything that the area has to offer. You’ll be walking past woodland, wildlife, and lakes one minute. Soon after you’ll be ascending hills and even taking to roads. It’s a walk that allows you to take in everything that makes the area so special.
While the distance may seem a little off-putting, this is a walk that’s well worth the effort. It’s all about taking it steady, taking regular breaks, and making sure that you have drinks to hand. The views that you’ll take in will make you glad that you took the challenge.