The canal has evidence of the use of horses towing boats not only in the roving bridges, but also the footbridges across the locks where there is a gap in the middle for the rope to pass through (although these days some of the railings have been closed up). At the Stoke on Trent end, the road is accessed by steps just to the north, or else through a cycle barrier and small car park just to the south of the road....

Mary Oz

It’s well signposted and easily accessible though. Combining this with the end of Stolon four would be better....

Kabutomushi

If you’re looking for spectacular views, this isn’t the walk for you....

Kabutomushi

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....

RGW

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. The canal route was very pleasant and easy to follow, and made up 85% of the entire route....

Mary Oz

We attempted to walk this route from Leek, but soon found that the former railway line route heading south towards the canal has been fenced on the west side so that we were able to walk along the path southwards, but were unable to turn westwards across the south of the industrial park. We had to backtrack and walk through the industrial estate to reach the canal. This alternative has been uploaded....

Mary Oz

A very easy route to follow from Leek to Stoke. Mainly following the Caldon Canal, the route was relaxing and with barely any climbs....

David Sanderson

A brilliant route in principle but comes a cropper to the south of Leek where building on an industrial estate has blocked off the right of way. I have submitted a similar route that I was able to walk...

David Sanderson

This is a good direct route along the Trent and Mersey canal with reasonably good public transport links either end.By its nature almost all on the flat, the going underfoot is good most bridges underpasses etc are cobbled.It has plenty interesting places to visit close by and plenty of canal traffic to see.The canal section is shared with cyclists (recognized traffic free route)caution is needed as cyclists can approach fast with little warning.I enjoyed walking this route and found no issues with access obstructions etc the mileposts/cycle route signs proved useful....

J w ollid

No stiles, cattle or barriers except for a stepped bridge to Stone station. Lots of boats line the canal in Stone and railway memorabilia fills one garden and shares space in the boatyard. The footpath link to the station has a stepped bridge over the railway line and the station is at a dead end of the town so if it's not your destination press on along the towpath for more interest and better access to the town....

Ken

On the way I noted under the rail bridge more of that orange water that coloured the canal. We leave the summit of the canal at the junction with the Caldon canal which brings a supply of water from the distant Rudyard Lake (reservoir). A couple of bottle kilns hide among modern development before we pass under the railway by canal then again on the road....

Ken

A functional but rather uninteresting Slow Way that to it's credit does serve Hartshill where there are shops....

Ken

Returning from Newcastle I found this route an improvement on the outward journey but steps to or from Richmond Street Park must make access difficult for any user. This route under the railway at Stoke is better. Having walked the road between Newcastle and Hartshill I investigated an alternative, which I found and enjoyed but it was or had been a gated path so I'm reluctant to suggest it....

Ken

A short section of road then an estate road leads surprisingly to a good path across a grassed area which after crossing another minor road takes us past Smith Pool....

Ken

It started from Stoke-on-Trent down steps and along the canal, past some interesting boats, then on past the Pye Hill Clock Tower and into a pleasant park. A short road section led to a surfaced path alongside the railway, with more railway interest (signal box, pedestrian level crossing, partially filled arches) leading to Longton Station. A small step longer than StoLon One, a giant leap better!...

Mary Oz

Really rather enjoyable stroll between Stoke and Longton stations incorporating pavement, towpath, park track and footpath. Very easy to follow and mostly offroad. Steps at the Stoke end, but with a visible ramp alternative for access to the Trent and Mersey Canal....

David Sanderson

Yes it’s direct, but it has an atmosphere of run down urban industry and trade, dominated by noise and fumes from cars. Satnav for cars....

Mary Oz

This was a very direct route and easy to follow....

Mary Oz

Some surrounding buildings make the Longton end an interesting start but I found myself thinking about where we were going to cross the road for most of the walk....

David Sanderson

This route is inaccurate as a section of it needs to be on the other side of the canal. It would cause problems particularly if walking from Stoke-on-Trent northwards....

Mary Oz

The main road bridge it uses for crossing the canal north of Etruria has no access to the canal, the correct one is footbridge a short distance further south. See KidSto Three for correction. Other than that, fabulous route!...

Mary Oz

From Kidsgrove Station car park a flight of stairs takes you to the towpath, then along to the north entrances to the historic Harecastle Tunnels (the current one designed by Telford, and the now derelict one designed by Brindley). Here it is necessary to leave the towpath and head up above it, alongside roads to the north car park for Bathpool Park....

Mary Oz

I've done this walk a few times in the past, but always in the opposite direction, so when I started following the pavement of Boathorse Road I thought I would be following it all the way to the other end of Harecastle Tunnel. To get back on to the canal you follow the pavement of a main road. The route leaves the canal before you reach Stoke Town and puts you on the road to Stoke City Centre (Hanley Town Centre) if you so require....

David Sanderson

You divert off into St Andrews Square and up some steps into Richmond Park (a route which can not be wheeled but I shall post a wheelable version). The steps into Richmond Park will be a problem for some but I was able to walk an accessible version on my return which I will post shortly....

David Sanderson

As you begin the descent towards Stoke Town Centre you get some incredible views towards Stoke City Centre (Hanley) and Burslem. The route skips Stoke Town Centre to follow the crossings over the A500 and the canal in the direction of Stoke City Centre....

David Sanderson

I walked this from Kidsgrove and managed to follow it as far south as Etruria but then sadly between SJ 8670 4792 and SJ 8686 4751 it wanted to put me on the wrong side of the canal. This wasn't quite so critical from the north as it is obvious that you can not continue along the west bank and need to move across. However, I know from bitter experience that if you approach from the south you can follow the towpath on the wrong side and then have to go back on yourself or have to leave the canal completely....

David Sanderson

I've done this walk a few times in the past, but always in the opposite direction, so when I started following the pavement of Boathorse Road I thought I would be following it all the way to the other end of Harecastle Tunnel. To get back on to the canal you follow the pavement of a main road. The route leaves the canal before you reach Stoke Town and puts you on the road to Stoke City Centre (Hanley Town Centre) if you so require....

David Sanderson

Leaving Stone from outside the station, it crosses the railway via a bridge and goes straight through to the canal. You pass the Wedgwood Museum and then having crossed the border into Stoke City the canal becomes more wooded as it passes through the pretty surroundings of Trentham....

David Sanderson

I "started" this route from Stone, well "started" isn't really the word....

David Sanderson

The walk is ok but some of the footpaths are a bit difficult to follow and not particularly accessible.The fields between Cat's Edge and Tompkin can be quite wet. Also walking into Stoke involves an extended walk through housing estates. I would recommend an alternative route....

andrewdcresswell

This route from Stoke Railway Station is walked mainly on streets through the city to Ford Green Hall, where the rest of the journey is on the cycle route to Biddulph. This is no problem for walkers though. It would be possible for a wheelchair user to travel the whole journey and the route from Ford Green Hall to Biddulph Bus Station is far more scenic than the first section (see photograph)....

WendyH

Coming from Stoke and going towards Kidsgrove, and a mile after Middleport Pottery, there is the beautiful Westport Lake and, if you're lucky, the oatcake boat may be there and it will be their pleasure to sell you this very local delicacy....

Eve Donnadieu

Nice and pleasant walk along the canal from the pottery town of Stoke to Stone. A bit boring during the first mile after Stoke but it gets better. After Trentham, it can get a little muddy in winter....

Eve Donnadieu