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About Cannock Chase | Parking Location | OS Map | Current Weather
Being quite local to Cannock chase it’s quite easy to forget just how big and beautiful of an area it is. On this route we wanted to try and take in as much of the different types of scenery we could find and although this route doesn’t take in the most wooded areas it does follow some of the quieter sections of the chase.
We started at the punchbowl carpark, however before setting off along our main route, we crossed the road and circled around the Satnal hills car park area. This is a little higher than the punchbowl and has some excellent views out. We completed a quick circle to take in Satnal hill before heading back across the road to the Punchbowl carpark and out main route.
From here we followed the main path up from the car park which runs alongside Sher Brook and Berry hill, the paths around the whole walk are well trodden and maintained so there is little concern underfoot. The woodland starts to build up and this point to provide a bit of shade (which was required on this beautiful October day, and the path is flat enough to get a nice pace if you wish.
Soon we came to a fork in the road and took the left turn which then follows the brook in a long arching curve. Here the path is accessible to walkers, runners, horse riders and cyclists but is more than big enough to accommodate and as you move around this bend the trees start to fall away to open up and reveal the stunning Sherbrook valley and Sherbrook banks. The banks in particular which make up this valley are of a very unusual form and when viewed from above are very interesting.
As we moved down the valley there where many paths to the right over the small hills and it was a case of finding one we liked the look of and using it to get some height. The route we took did have some loose rocks, but we also managed to stand aside and watch as two horse riders raced up to the top which was something to see. Once at the top, you can see for miles across the valley and beyond with hills, trees, valleys and more in the distance, it’s a great area to take in exactly what the Chase has to offer.
At the top, we did head left for a short while as we had seen some wildlife we tried to follow, but eventually got back on track and unless something takes your attention, the recommendation would be to just go right here. Following this path along keep these amazing vista’s while eventually heading down slightly and off to the left into more woodland. Here again, there is a multitude of paths to follow and as we wanted to eventually swing towards Oat Hill we took the path to the right after the Quarry. This path sweeps long through the woodland once again and gave us some respite from the sun. Moving along this a lot more animals and birds could be seen and not too far along the easy path there is a crossroads with many routes off it. As it was quite dry and warm, we chose the downward direct route which offered a very different view, steep treelined sides run either side of the path, and although there are likely better views on the paths which run along the tops of these side, the feeling of being enclosed in a dome of nature was fantastic.
At the end of the “tunnel” we swung right to head towards Milford common, and at this point the mapping we used stopped showing some of the paths. As we wanted to get up high towards Oat hill, so we followed the path to some steep steps and took this route to the top. Once at the top, the views are slightly obscured with trees, but on moving along the ridge you start to reveal some stunning views out with the little village of Milford in the background. Between this peak, and the next one of Oat hill, there is quite a steep path down and then back up again, this was fine as we are used to walking in the mountains, but others may want to stay on the lower sections here.
Once at Oat hill, the path disappeared under the foliage and although we could follow it, we did have to keep an eye out for where it changed. This wasn’t for too far and soon enough we had got back to one of the main paths. Once on this easy track, we followed it down the hill and back to the path which started our walk from the Punchbowl carpark. We headed back down this path and back to the car.
It’s great to get out this side of Cannock Chase as there is still deep woodland, but there is also much more fresh open spaces and on a sunny day it’s wonderful.
