Norrug two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Norrug here.

The first section is a gentle stroll along residential pavements in Norton Canes and then Chase Terrace although there is a blind road crossing at the A5195 which needs care. Leaving Boney Hay, you enter the countryside of Gentleshaw Hill, a reasonably gentle ascent via dirt tracks up to the village of Gentleshaw. If you crave refreshments your last chances are here and then shortly in Cannock Wood. Sadly, the morning was too misty for me to enjoy the panoramic views from Castle Ring but as I walked into Cannock Chase, the views were atmospheric. The walk along the tracks of the Heart of England and Two Saints Way through the woods of Beaudesert Old Park is lovely, but be warned that in about 1.5km (just less than a mile) you go from a height of 236.23m to 157.92m and then back up to 189.33m, and this isn't even the toughest section of the walk! The walk leaves the national trails and crosses the road, passing a caravan park before looping around to climb over Regents Hill and then cross the road. This way avoids any road walking but it comes at a price. The climb is 70m over a distance of about 600m. I mainly spent it passing mountain bikers who were pushing their bikes up before starting one of the runs from the top. After crossing Stile Cop Road you go through a car park, often busy with mountain bikers, and pass a triangulation pillar. From there you walk the trails through woods in Chetwynd's Coppice and start to meet dog walkers from Rugeley. The descent through the Brereton is pleasant and soon you are in Rugeley at the meeting spot. Rugeley town centre abounds with stops and shops which might be reward for your physical exertion. Make no mistake, I enjoyed this route but is it the best possible Slow Way? I'm not sure. I noticed a footpath that heads directly north towards Prospect Village rather than winding through Chase Terrace. This would have avoided the early blind corner when crossing the A5195. The other issue is the multiple climbs in the route which require a certain level of physical fitness. For Rugbur from Rugeley to Burntwood I followed 200m of Stile Cop Road which although being a 60mph road with no pavement, is not very, busy and has long lines of sight and a wide roadside to step into when a car approaches. These are thoughts for another version. As it is, I'd do this one again. 4 Stars.

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