North Cheshire Way walking guide
The “North Cheshire Way” is Cheshire’s longest path. It provides 70 miles of waymarked walking between Wirral and the Peak District across some of Cheshire’s most beautiful countryside.
Be aware that some sections can get quite overgrown in the Summer and you may need to cut back brambles etc. Maize fields between the A56 (Bridge Trafford) and Barrow Nurseries are hard going. Also caution is needed along some sections of the river bank along the River Weaver where the path is narrow – in summer the long grass hides unexpected holes in the ground which can lead to trips and falls down the river bank into the water – one section is that near Kingsley by near SJ 5584 7645 north of Well Wood/NW of Big Wood.
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Lyme Park to Great Budworth (Summer 2022): Notes on changes from guide book
Hooton to Dunham on the Hill (Summer 2023): Notes on changes from guide book
The route was developed by The Mid-Cheshire Footpath Society as the brainchild of former member David Kinsell of Chester, who sadly did not live to see its completion. It offers something for every kind of walker from serious hikers to families out for an easy stroll near their doorstep. The route has been designed to run close to the major urban areas of Merseyside, north Cheshire and Manchester – with easy access by car or public transport. Easy to use, it is waymarked throughout. The Society hopes that it will attract many town-dwellers to experience the countryside on their doorstep and help bridge the growing gap between “town and country”.
The original idea of the route was to complete the long distance paths around Cheshire, namely the Sandstone Trail, the Gritstone Trail and the South Cheshire Way
The places of interest along the route from West to East include Chester & the Wirral, Helsby Hill, Frodsham Hill, Weaver Valley, Anderton Boat Lift, Marbury Country Park, Manchester Airport, Styal Quarry Bank Mill and Country Park, The Edge at Alderley, Adlington Hall, Lyme Park, & Disley.
The project has been supported by a number of grants, notably from Cheshire County Council, who have also provided a great deal of material support during the development of the route. Other bodies who have helped with grants, loans and encouragement include Chester Rambling & Hill Walking Club, F H Properties Ltd. (Frank Hockenhull & David Vernon), Macclesfield Borough Council, Mersey Forest, The Peak & Northern Footpaths Society, Ramblers’ Association (Merseyside & West Cheshire Area) and Vale Royal Borough Council.