Stolee three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

This is an excellent canal walk connecting the moorland town of Leek with the city of Stoke on Trent.
The path is very clear throughout and largely level (short ascent and descent where the canal goes through a tunnel).
Other reviewers have mentioned The Sportsman pub at Stockton Brook, I would also recommend the Hollybush at Denford which can be reached with a very minor detour where the Leek branch meets the Caldon canal.

We left the charming market town of Leek, passing the Joliffe/Ash Almshouses at the main crossroads and then the Condlyffe Almshouses as we headed past the side of the cemetery. A short walk through an industrial estate brought us to a footpath to the towpath of the Caldon Canal at the current end of the Leek Branch. There were some information boards here about the canal. We soon arrived at a tunnel where we had to go up a slope to walk above the tunnel, then back down the other side. Unfortunately access back down to the towpath was via a staircase that I don’t think could be avoided.
The canal route was very pleasant and easy to follow, and made up 85% of the entire route. There was lots of interest including several lift bridges, the tunnel, a boatyard, a couple of locks, and views of the River Churnet, which was flooded in places. My favourite feature was the Hazelhurst Aqueduct, which is quite a significant structure taking one canal branch over the other.
We had very mixed weather, sunny a lot of the time, but there were also some heavy showers, including one bit of hail and thunder. Parts of the towpath were muddy with large puddles in places, as a consequence. We took advantage of several bridges to shelter from the worst moments.
There was a pub just off the route where the canal went under the A53, and also a rough picnic table near Milton towards the Stoke end.
This was a really enjoyable route, and was so easy to navigate that it was done in no time!.

A very easy route to follow from Leek to Stoke. Mainly following the Caldon Canal, the route was relaxing and with barely any climbs. Starting in the pretty Moorlands town of Leek with its multiple shops, pubs and eateries, there's a very short walk down the main road of an industrial estate. A footpath then leads you to the canal. The route of the canal takes you through various landscapes, the Churnet Valley, and then through forest. There is a pub, "The Sportsman" just offroute near the halfway point at Stockton Brook. There are intriguing signs of old industry throughout. The canal into Stoke has a residential feel and is well used by locals. It seems that in no time you leave the canal to cross the busy and beautiful Hanley Park. The route to the meeting point is through an area adjacent to the University. There mutiple takeaways and an excellent Indian Sweet Shop. Based on greetings with strangers, this was one of the friendliest Slow Ways I've ever walked. Full marks!.

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