Creals one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

The main roads leaving Crewe were very busy, but had good pavements and crossing points. They gradually got quieter heading into Haslington, where the field crossings started. These were all very clearly marked and included many aluminium kissing gates. At Hall o’ the Heath, as others have said, the signs were different from the OS Map. I followed the Slow Ways route which involved opening an electric fence “gate” by holding the insulated handle. I then had to negotiate a field full of close by cows and calves. I guess this is a seasonal issue, but neither of these things felt easy. Apart from this, and one field where the grass was rather long, the footpaths and roads were all very easy to follow, and this was a very enjoyable route. In the vicinity of the M6, and of Crewe, there was obviously a lot of traffic noise, but in other parts of the walk all I could hear was birdsong.

This is a direct and enjoyable route between the two towns. All the paths are well marked and well maintained. The walking is a mix of pavements, country lanes and footpaths through fields or wood. All the road crossings are safe and there are no stiles along the route, only kissing gates. The fields and the wood were very muddy after all the recent rain, but passable with good footwear. At the Hall o' the Heath several footpaths converge and there is an optional redirection as well, making this the place where most concentration is needed to follow the route, but otherwise a very straightforward walk.

When I first looked at this route on the map I didn't have high hopes for its enjoyability, but it proved me wrong! The route out of Crewe follows the pavement next to the dual carriageway and the traffic can be heavy, but it's not for very long and there are traffic lights for all the crossings you need to do. As you switch over to the B5077 you walk into Crewe Green, which has some intriguing old buildings. At Haslington you leave the B road, follow a lane (local drivers are very consderate) and then enter the countryside, navigating a series of footpaths towards Oakhanger. Despite the marshy conditions (this was the day after Storm Eunice) all of the footpaths were well marked and really easy to follow. My only encounter with livestock was at a distance thanks to the farmer fencing in the path and keeping his cows well fed, away from the footpath. Reaching Hall o' the Heath, the farmer has directed the foopath away from the marked right of way, this would be slightly quicker to follow, but as I was reviewing I followed the path as marked on the map and was able to do so. Holmshaw Moss was a pleasant but boggy section of woodland walking and soon after that I found myself crossing the M6 by bridge. A well marked path across a field takes you to the residential streets of Alsager and it's via those and some footpaths that you get to the meeting spot by the station. This route is a superb Slow Way. It's varied, direct and easy to follow. I didn't feel unsafe for one moment. The short section of lanes I had to walk in were open and quiet. There are shops, pubs and takeaways in Crewe, Haslington and Alsager. I'd definitely walk it again!.

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