A railway path through woodland at the south-west edge of the Peak District, running close to Alton Towers. Keep an eye out for the dramatic Gothic-style castle in Alton village to the south of the trail.
The Route: Oakamoor (east of Stoke on Trent) - Alton Towers - Denstone.
Di
stance: 4 miles one way, 8 miles both.
Start & Parking:
1. The car park in Oakamoor is just off the B5417 at the bottom of the hill just to the west of the bridge over the River Churnet, by the Cricketers Arms pub. Go past a second pub (the Admiral Jervis) to the end of the second car park and fork left to get to the start of the trail.
2. The Village Hall car park, on the B5032 in Denstone, 5 miles north of Uttoxeter. From the car park, go past the petrol station and turn left just before the telephone box on to the Churnet Railway Trail.
Surface & Hills: Stone-based track. One or two muddy sections after rain. No hills.
Links or other nearby trails: The Tissington Trail starts in Ashbourne, 8 miles to the northwest of Denstone. The Manifold Trail starts at Waterhouses, 6 miles northeast of Oakamoor.
Map & Leaflet: OS Landranger Map 119 or 128.
Nearest Railway: Uttoxeter.
Refreshments: The Tavern pub, Denstone. The Adminiral Jervis and Cricketers Arms pubs, Oakamoor.
