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Walk 1324 - printer friendly version

Glacial Boulder & Sherbrook Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 3.5 miles / 5.7 km

Ascent - 200 feet / 61 metres

Grade - easy

Start - OS grid reference SJ980175
Lat 52.755107 + Long -2.0310726
Postcode ST17 0SG (approx. location only)

Cannock Chase offers many opportunities for walking. However this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty does suffer from a number of unsightly conifer plantations and this walk explores an area where they have very little visual impact. A detailed map is a useful accessory as there are many paths criss-crossing the Chase. However provided you have a good sense of direction you should not get lost. If the Chase is quiet you have a good chance of seeing deer especially in the final mile or so back to the start.

The walk starts from the Chase Road Corner car park (grid ref. SJ980175) where there are usually spaces even on busy days. Walk from the road through the car park and at the end of the parking area pick up a broad path heading just east of south. The route continues in roughly the same direction to meet the Heart of England Way (grid ref. SJ986166). Turn right and descend into the Sherbrook Valley.

Reaching the main valley path turn left. To your right will be the infant Sherbrook and beyond that the boundary of the conifer plantation of Parr's Warren. Ignore many paths on your left and look out for the end of the conifers on your right. This is the first landmark along the valley. Shortly after this point the path bears quite sharply left and then right again in a large loop to regain its position next to Sherbrook.

At the next major junction turn left. After a few metres, bear left again onto the Staffordshire Way. The path climbs steadily onto the Chase. To meet a wide path going left and right (grid ref SJ 980182). Turn left and continue south roughly parallel to the road which is on your right. Reaching the trig point a few metres away on your right you will also be able to locate the Glacial Boulder abandoned here after the glaciers retreated at the end of the Ice Age. Note that on some OS maps the position of the Glacial Boulder is incorrect as it lies to the east of the road.

Return to the main path and continue south on the Heart of England Way. This leads you back to the start after bearing right at the first major fork in the path. From this point the path descends through a lightly wooded area to the car park.

Walk 1324 Route Map

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