Boots, Breezes and a Proper Roast: Five Walks That Start at Mow Cop Inn
Photo by Photo by Anita Austvika on Unsplash on Unsplash
A good Sunday walk needs two things: a bit of fresh air and a very good reason to stop. At Mow Cop Inn, the reason is obvious. There is a fire. There is a roast. There is a pint with your name on it. All you have to do is earn it.
These five routes all start and finish at the pub, so you can leave the car, pull on your boots and set off without any faff. They range from a gentle half-hour amble to a proper half-day stretch. Check the weather before you go, take a map, and remember that hill paths can be muddy long after the rain has stopped. Dogs are welcome on the walks and in the pub, but keep them on a lead around livestock.
1. The Castle Amble
Length: about 1 mile Terrain: lanes, a short steep path, uneven stone near the top Time: 30 to 40 minutes
This is the classic. From the pub, head up towards Mow Cop Castle, the mock ruin that crowns the hill. It is short, but it is not flat. The path steepens near the top, and the last bit is uneven underfoot, so take your time and enjoy the view when you turn around.
At the castle you get the full panorama: Cheshire on one side, Staffordshire on the other, and a patchwork of fields and rooftops in between. It is a brilliant walk for families, for first-time visitors and for anyone who wants a bit of air without committing to a full afternoon. On a clear day, the light on the stones is lovely. On a windy day, you will be glad of the pub when you get back down.
Highlight: the castle itself, and the feeling that you have climbed a proper hill without actually going very far.
2. The Gritstone Trail Taster
Length: about 4 miles out and back Terrain: rough paths, stiles, short road sections, some steep bits Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
The Gritstone Trail runs across this part of the country, and Mow Cop is one of its high points. This route picks up the trail and follows the ridge for a couple of miles before turning back. It is a good taste of the longer path without committing to the whole thing.
The walking is varied. You get woodland, open ground, stone walls and sudden views that open up between the trees. There are a few stiles and some uneven ground, so it is not a pushchair route. Good boots are worth having, especially after rain. The out-and-back shape means you can turn around whenever you like, but the two-mile mark makes a satisfying target.
Highlight: the ridge walking, with long views and a proper sense of being up on the edge of things.
3. The Canal and Country Lanes Loop
Length: about 5 miles Terrain: country lanes, towpath, field paths, a few gates Time: 2 to 2.5 hours
This one heads down from the hill towards the canal network and returns through quiet lanes. It is a softer walk than the ridge routes, with more shelter and a gentler pace. You get the contrast that makes this area interesting: the high, exposed hilltop and the low, sheltered waterways just below it.
The canal section is flat and easy, with boats, bridges and the occasional lock to distract you. The lanes are quiet, though you should still keep an eye out for the odd vehicle. There are field paths too, which can be muddy in winter. It is a good route for a mixed group, or for anyone who wants a longer walk without too much climbing.
Highlight: the canal, with its slow pace and that particular smell of damp woodsmoke and water.
4. The Old Railway Line Stretch
Length: about 6 miles Terrain: traffic-free path, some road links, gentle gradients Time: 2.5 to 3 hours
The old railway lines around here have been turned into useful walking routes, and this stretch makes the most of them. From the pub, link down to the path and follow it out into the countryside. Because it was built for trains, the gradients are gentle. This is a good choice if you want distance without too much effort.
The route is popular with walkers and cyclists, so expect company. The trees and embankments give it a sheltered feel, even when the hilltop is blowing a gale. There is plenty of wildlife if you keep your eyes open, and the sense of history is strong: old bridges, cuttings and the ghost of the railway.
Highlight: an easy, steady walk that still feels like a proper day out.
5. The Long Ridge Round
Length: about 8 miles Terrain: mixed paths, steep sections, stiles, rough ground Time: 3.5 to 4.5 hours
This is the big one. A proper leg-stretcher that takes in the ridge, the lanes and a good chunk of the surrounding countryside. It is not a route for a lazy afternoon, but it is very satisfying. You will climb, you will descend, and you will probably get muddy.
The reward is variety. You get the high ground and the views, the quiet lanes and the woodland, and the feeling that you have really gone somewhere. Take a map, take water and take a phone with a charged battery. The route is waymarked in places but not everywhere, and the weather can change quickly up here. If you are walking in winter, start early enough to finish before the light goes.
Highlight: the sense of achievement, and the knowledge that a roast is waiting at the end.
The Reward at the End
Back at Mow Cop Inn, the boots come off, the dog settles under the table and the serious business of choosing a roast begins. Yorkshire puddings, proper gravy, maybe a pudding if you have earned it. The fire is lit, the welcome is warm and the hill can keep its wind for a while.
A few practical notes. Book ahead if you are coming on a Sunday, especially in winter when the cosy corners go quickly. Wear boots you do not mind getting dirty. And leave enough time to enjoy the pub after the walk. The whole point of a hilltop walk is the coming back down.
