It certainly didn’t look good on the map lots of road walking. So if you have continued to Five Ways take Cannock Road then Newlands Lane which the plot soon meets. It eventually meets a proper road but even here traffic was light which was good as there was no pavement....

Ken

Only today another suggestion that the pavement section needs a better route. The excellent tarmac path needs treating with care because we soon bear left onto a well trodden earth path alongside the railway. Initially open among trees it then crosses a stream and a short section is between the railway fence and industrial buildings but it remains friendly and ends with a wide green corridor heading east to a road. Back in green space alongside blue the tarmac path offered an excellent and easy surface for the Slow Way. The path uses a short section of disused railway then drops to the road where we cross the active line, by bridge, and turn north. I decided to offer a direct route but if you need services at the visitor centre then look at Canrug-2 because we take a different line to Marquise’s Drive and Jockey Hill which provides good open view to the east and seats to take a break. It’s now down hill with limited views to the road which provides a short link to the next footpath along Rising Brook....

Ken

Once leaving Cannock Chase you start the long pavement section towards Cannock Railway Station with plenty of shops for supplies. A Good Route easy to follow taking in good scenery would be 5 Stars but for the last section along the roads....

Nigel Cull

Route is currently closed on the southside of the footbridge over the M6 Toll. No notices to officially close it so no indication when and if it might reopen. Only option at present is to use A34 crossing of Toll....

Ken

Safe, easy to follow and deceptively direct. Pavement, towpath, country lane, and a brief section of field. Stiles and steps....

David Sanderson

This would probably be a four star route were it not for the road walking on the B5012 Cannock Road near Pillaton, which I would not fail as a dangerous, but would certainly describe as requiring caution. The first section of the walk along Stafford Road is safe, but not very interesting....

David Sanderson

Having walked sections of it I can confirm that the Church Lane is a horrendous section of road to have to try and walk. It's a main road with no pavement and a blind corner. Too dangerous...

David Sanderson

Path at SK 0060 1540 to take you near the Cannock Chase Visitors Centre has been closed to the public and is gated at the other end. Canrug two is a diverted version of this route, use that instead....

David Sanderson

You can follow a signposted trail from the other side of the road but instead this route goes down the road (which involves verge walking) before going up a rutted bridleway to join up with the main route. It was at this point I wondered if there was a nicer way to finish the walk from the other side of the railway line as walking and cycle route is marked in that direction. Instead I pounded the pavement of the main road through Hednesford and then Chadsmoor to the eventual meeting place at Cannock Railway Station. Yes, crossing the road at Lady Hill Coppice could cut out the road walking and a bit of research might produce a more offroad section at the Cannock end....

David Sanderson

Just after you cross the M6 Toll you are directed down Hawthorne Lane in Littlewood....

David Sanderson

As you emerge on the other side the way takes you through quiet residential streets and as then as you come into Great Wyrley the occasional main road....

David Sanderson

It sweeps around (I had to dodge round a family of swans!) and emerges on the Hednesford Road, the pavement of which you follow for 400m approx before turning into Stokes Lane. As for walking the lane, it is potholed and was strewn with flytipped rubbish near the east end. The last section before emerging on the pavement of the A5190 requires a stretch of road walking in the lane. The last stretch of the walk is along the busy A5190 but it seems like this route has done everything it can to prevent you from having to do that so it's a small price to pay....

David Sanderson