Raw Head Walk

Grade: Moderate
Distance: 9km/5.5miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Start: Candle Workshops on Barracks Lane. Car parking also available here. | what3words: ///pegged.onto.fulfilled

Map: OS Explorer 257
Terrain: Terrain A mixture of quiet lanes and public rights of way. Moderately strenuous, with some steep climbs followed by level sections with good views. Note: Take care on the last road section and by The Pheasant Inn.
Barriers: 10 stiles, 3 kissing gates.
Toilets: Candle Workshop and several PHs in area, including Pheasant Inn on Barracks Lane.

Rugged sandstone outcrops, lofty trees and panoramic views both east and west across a patchwork landscape, combine to create an invigorating walk.

No visit to Cheshire would be complete without climbing Raw Head, the highest point of the Sandstone Trail at 227m.

The walk starts in Burwardsley, an attractive village nestling at the foot of Willow Hall and the sandstone ridge.

Much of this area is still owned by large estates. Pheasants roam the woodlands, which are managed for timber as well as pheasant rearing, but are still home to a wide variety of wildlife. Listen out for wrens, goldcrests and other small birds.

The woods on Bulkeley Hill have a magical atmosphere, with delicate silver birch and majestic sweet chestnut twisting high up into the canopy.

Natural stone outcrops around Raw Head provide welcome stops to admire the view, often framed by pine trees.