Malkins Bank Circular Walk

Grade: Moderate
Distance: 9.6 km / 6 miles
Time: 3 hours
Start: Salt Line car park, or Sandbach or Wheelock
Map: OS Explorer 268
Terrain

Country footpaths and traffic-free routes

This area once contained thriving industries due to large underground salt deposits. Large works were constructed and brine shafts sunk to extract the salt. The brine was pan dried into salt crystals which had many uses including the productions of soda, glass, soap and detergents.

Today, it is hard to imagine the salt works at Rode Heath Rise with steam billowing from the salt pans and boats being loaded with their cargoes. The canal formed a crucial link for the local industry. Salt was take from here whilst coat and pottery were brought up from Stoke. If you look closely at the towpath you can still find pottery in the path, as broken cargo was often thrown off the boats.

The countryside around Hassall Green is gentle, rolling farmland with pretty wooded valleys and flower rich hedgerows. Both the Salt Line and the canal, built to serve local industry, provide pleasant walks at any time of year. In spring listen out for blackcaps and willow warblers singing in the trees, whilst skylarks can often be heard high above.

Wildflowers mark the passing of the seasons. In late winter, bright yellow coltsfoot is common along the trails. In early spring, lesser celandine and wood anemone carpet the woods and primroses can be seen in the old railway cuttings. Bluebells, red campion and wild garlic provide colourful displays before the trees come into full leaf. Foxglove, oxeye daisy and St John’s wort thrive in the strong midsummer sun. Knapweed, toadflax and scabious flower in later summer. Local artist's landscape painting

Flocks of redwings and fieldfares herald the onset of winter and if you are lucky you may hear a ‘twittering’ flock of long-tailed tits moving through the trees above your head.

Visitor Information

Location: Start at the Salt Line car park, best accessed off Hassall Road, between Alsager and Sandbach and is signposted off Betchton Road in Hassall Green. Postcode for satnav: CW11 4XT. Alternatively, start in Wheelock or Sandbach and join the circular route from there.

Public transport: Public bus services operate to Hassall Green, Lawton Heath End and Alsager. Alternatively, both Sandbach and Wheelock are served by public transport.
Local artist's landscape painting

Parking: There is a free car park off Alsager Road that is accessible for minibuses. There are no dedicated disabled parking bays. The car park closes at 8.30pm in summer and 5pm in winter.

Toilets: Toilets for patrons of refreshment stops only.

Refreshments: refreshments are available at public houses in Wheelock and Sandbach and there are coffee shops and the like in Wheelock, including Miola on Lodge Road in Wheelock, tel 01270 763364.