Hixutt-2 is a direct copy of Hixutt use Hixutt-3...

Ken

Hixutt-2 is a direct copy of Hixutt use Hixutt-3...

Ken

Marshy fields, overgrown entrances and dilapidated stiles made what might have been quite an enjoyable walk into quite a slog....

David Sanderson

Two inns on route one at Kingstone where there are also seats at the church / village hall and children's play area, also a tap at village hall to top up on a hot day....

Ken

This route is an exact duplicate of HixUtt one, and has the same problems, so I'll repeat my comments:....

Hugh Hudson

The route between Pinfold Street and Trinity Road in Uttoxeter does not exist on the ground and goes through a fenced off area. The GPX plotting is rather wayward throughout. I have submitted HixUtt three to fix these issues....

Hugh Hudson

From Hixon, we start up the ominous sounding Puddle Hill, which becomes a farm lane once out of the fields, then we cross fields on a little used and (apart from waymarked stiles) unmarked path, with the first of many awkward stiles and a few wet sections. We cross the busy B5013 and go straight on along another little used path with more wet and muddy sections. A short section of quiet lane brings us onto the Staffordshire Way, which is better trodden and has some good new stiles, but also has a section that has been constrained between fences and is quite wet and muddy....

Hugh Hudson

The road has a pavement passing the church then turning towards the railway there is no pavement, this road could be busy on a work day, I walked it on a quiet Saturday. The main road can be busy but is safe to cross with care then we are on the canal towpath which the information boards states “The towing path has been restored to a high standard”. A farm shop and cafe at Great Haywood and a view of the junction with it’s huge finger post and gently arched bridge, perhaps the best view from the road bridge on this route. We pass Colwich lock and head on for Wolseley Bridge where we join the road. A huge bridge takes us over a road that was the by pass but has now been by passed so a direct crossing of the road may no longer be an issue but is not an option....

Ken

The path surface is good but very close to the water level and just a week after severe floods there was evidence that this route would have been impossible. The cycle track looks a possible alternative joining the relatively dry canal towpath at a different point. Once on the towpath, although muddy it was much easier going and at a turnover bridge where the towpath changes sides a new excellent surface has been laid. A track leads to the busy but not impossible to cross road then a severed road allows a peaceful walk to a footbridge over the railway which provides a good view of either countryside to the north or industrial buildings south. If shops are required avoid the village footpaths stay on the road to pass the chip shop, post office and convenience store all missed on the plotted route....

Ken

The route crosses the Sow unnecessarily at the Stafford end but that's minor. Stops and shops in Stafford and Milford if you leave the route....

David Sanderson

Mostly very safe, but some care is needed crossing the roads around the Wolseley Centre and passing under the railway bridge in Little Haywood....

David Sanderson

Mostly flat walk using riverside and canalside paths, many sections will be underfoot after rain, optionlly at the start you can walk thriough Victoria park (entrance opposite the station) rather than following the road. Good options for cafes / pubs just off the route at Little Haywood and Great Haywood and also at both start and finish....

simonalcock

From the Walton-on-the-Hill area there is a very popular footpath that goes over fields via Jacob's Ladder to Lazar Lane (photo 1), then a bridleway to the main road (photo 2). At the bottom of the hill by the main road (A513), there is a gate (see photo 4) - grid ref 985211. Then cross the main road, over the railway line, a bit of not very exciting footpath through an industrial estate, and along the pavement by the road into Hixon. I would either stay on the canal towpath as far as Walton Bridge, then take the footpath up Green Gore Lane to cross the A513 and go up School Lane, which leads to the footpath over the fields to Milford via Jacob's Ladder. Alternatively, I would leave the canal at the footpath that leads up to Falmouth Avenue and then take the short footpath from Stockton Lane over the field to Bluebell Hollow and then onto the A513 up to Kitlings Lane or School Lane....

sarah711