This is a good direct route,mainly using the canal towpath.I walked from Stafford to Rugely ( using both the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal along with the the Trent and Mersey)Some sections of the both canal towpaths are quite muddy but the majority is a made up surface which allows for easy walking.Leaving Stafford and passing through Victoria park one comes to the Sow Leisure Route,this area before joining the canal towpath does have the potential to be very wet and be flooded.Joining the canal,plenty of activity can be seen,narrowboats on the move a variety of interesting bridges and historic buildings in the distance.After several miles and approaching Rugely make sure to cross the canal (approaching rail line indicates roughly where to cross)After a a small amount of pavement walking one is soon in the centre of Rugely.I used public transport (bus) at both ends of this walk train is also possible both being fairly reliable!Onroute there are plenty of stopping off points pubs/cafes shops etc .I enjoyed this walk,there were no issues regarding obstructions or access....

J w ollid

Services just off route at Great Haywood junction, village, Little Haywood and Wolseley Bridge. Passing remains of the Mill and a short section of town it's then onto the Sow Leisure Route which has a good surface but close to the river level there was evidence of flooding after recent severe rain so hopefully not a regular issue. This area was still very wet and needed varied detours to avoid the wettest parts, in better conditions there could be cattle here and the link to the canal is the only stile on the whole route. Turn left under the railway for a short link to the village and Clifford Arms. The next, rather low bridge, offers access to Little Haywood and two more inns but the road under the railway has no pavement so take care, it may also flood. I missed this so was pleased to find that the bypass bridge does offer a cross link for those who ignore the plotted route....

Ken

Nice woodland walk but can be muddy When it has rained...

Simon

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

Approaching Stafford it's a cycle path along a old rail route offering easy walking. I walked from Stone, the path link to the canal is narrow, fenced and has a stepped bridge over the railway so a road route might be better and would offer shops to stock up for the service free route. Once on the towpath the surface starts good with a bit of heritage cobbles but the surface does eventually become a well walked field path....

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 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

It's a gorgeous route; it's safe, direct, and off-road; it's extremely pleasant; and it was surprisingly joyful (for someone who doesn't love canal walking). Full marks....

mtormey

After a very short stretch of road walking, there's a long bit along a former railway line....

mtormey

There are pavements passing shops and pubs throughout Penkridge and the route joins the canal at the earliest possible occasion. The towpath of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal takes you most of the route....

David Sanderson

The last section of the walk, alongside the river, past some shops and pub, and through Victoria Park was pleasant and interesting and mostly car-free....

Mary Oz

The descent into the Trent Valley is across a number of quiet fields and is easy to follow. As you get nearer the River Trent, the fields become wetter and as I got closer to Burston I encountered a herd of cows who seemed incredibly keen to get close to me. Having crossed the Trent via a footbridge at Burston, you join the Trent and Mersey Canal which you follow all the way to Stone....

David Sanderson

In the methodology of a Slow Way it's a definite 5 for directness and safety (in the road sense rather than the 24x7 as it's not lit). The only thing I thought it might fail on was somewhere to stop but almost miraculously at halfway (10km from in Stafford and 9km from Newport) the old railway reaches a spot where a bridge has been demolished and you have to descend and cross the road at Gnosall Heath, where there is a pub!...

David Sanderson

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

Leaving from Rugeley you are asked to join the canal then leave the canal via a bridge and then rejoin the canal where there is no means to do so. The Stafford end is very vague in an area where you need to know whether you follow either of the two rivers or the canal. Unworthy of a Slow Way...

David Sanderson

It was too early for it to be open, but I checked that the pub in Little Heywood is a short walk from the route. At Great Heywood you leave the Trent and Mersey and join the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. There's a strange bridge which crosses where the Penk should be which I've left the route crossing. After crossing a bridge and the road which crosses it, the route picks up the River Sow Leisure Route, a really enjoyable paved walk into the town centre....

David Sanderson

There is a brief section at the Stafford end that appears to go along a private road and says ‘No Cycling’ but this is universally ignored....

Sukydee

Lots of walkers, runner, cyclists and the occational horse....

Doomzero