Kinalr three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Off road and mostly pasture, so sheep and cattle might be encountered. Stiles, gates and a very narrow footbridge. Perhaps the best winter walk with a decent section of very quiet tarmac road. Having arrived at King’s Bromley via Kinalr-4 see review, I decided to take an alternative route out which I recommend as a variation to make an excellent circular walk of Kinalr 3 & 4.

The route exits passing the school and enters the recreation ground then is accompanied by acres of poly tunnels. They perhaps do pick your own in summer so go prepared. Into open fields then a track takes us to the road crossing, it’s almost direct so no concerns here.

Another track leads away from the road and eventually we turn into fields and a very pleasant section alongside the River Trent which in December was fast flowing but remained within the banks. There was however standing water in the fields but our path avoids any need to paddle.

After the narrow bridge this route heads towards farm buildings at Orgreave. The path passes through the farm and past the boarded up farm house. Our unmarked footpath takes the gated hall drive which offers a view of the impressive Hall, then the not so inviting gas distribution high security enclosure.

Another section of tarmac makes this route a possible first choice for winter walking but it’s not been mud free. The road turns right and our path heads towards the church eventually taking advantage of a raised path which avoids the floods. It looks like this causeway did extend further back but has now become overgrown so our path starts in the boggy field.

Once into the village there are alternative routes to the meeting point but the plotted route is fine if you have not visited the pretty village of Alrewas before.

I started this route from Alrewas. The route out is the same charming one as the original. Just beyond Orgreave Hall, the route takes you away from the one which would have taken you towards the verge of the A513, and takes you away across farmland towards the River Trent. It was a good time to test out the route, it had been raining, the river was high, the fields were full of water, but the footpath could always be followed. There was a section where temporary fencing guides you around the outside of a field, away from the route, but that appears to be to help you avoid a quagmire. There's a major road crossing of the A513, but it's relatively easy, as the road is straight and not very busy. The Kings Bromley end is well signed and very easy to follow. This is a superb addition to the network. It's offroad, safe, relaxing and beautiful. Pubs, shops and buses at both ends. Stiles and kissing gates en route. One to wear boots for.

This is a lovely route and a definite win-win over Kinalr 1 and 2. First win is that it avoids a boring stretch of the A513 and the second win is the beauty of the off road section itself.
This is certainly easily walkable for 3 seasons, and probably for winter too unless it's very wet. Recommend taking a GPS as the first time you walk it some of the footpaths are not particularly obvious when crossing some fields.
At Orgreave, there is a misleading footpath sign that points towards the A513 when you should turn left through the Orgreave gates towards the gas station.
Photo 1 - busy road crossing!
Photo 2 - Turn off track here and stick to LHS of field
Photo 3 - As path swings left head straight on across field on RHS to start with
Photo 4 - Far left corner of field hides a bridge crossing
Photo 5 - Windmill a useful landmark
Photo 6 - GPS suggests path is wrong side of river, so either an OS mapping error or the river has meandered
Photo 7 - Head for the LHS of these farm buildings
Photo 8 - Note the wrong direction of the footpath marker. Don't go straight on turn left through the iron gates you see here looking back from where you came
Photo 9 - Enjoy the hissing gas station
Photo 10 - Pure beauty from here on!.

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