Walk with wow factor

Taking in ancient woodland and sandstone bluffs, and offering magnificent views to North Wales, the Peak District and distant castles and cathedrals, this is a longer walk from our friends at Ramblers that is as rewarding as it is varied.

Location: Bickerton Hill, Cheshire

Difficulty: Leisurely

Walking time: 3 hrs 45 mins

Length: 12.5km/ 7.8 miles

Start:

Bickerton Hill car park, SY14 8LN (National Trust, £7 for the day)

Descend the car park track and turn right along the lane. In 200m fork right up the gravel track. Past Newfield (house), use gate on right into NT land. Walk the woodland path on left to a three-way split and take the middle option gently uphill. Edge left on a wider heathland path to the ridge-top and interpretation board about Maiden Castle hillfort. On clear days this is the first point to enjoy views to the Clwydian Hills and Berwyn Mountains. Bear right up steps to join the Sandstone Trail (ST) north –observe yellow waymarkers for Beeston/Rawhead/Bulkeley. This skirts the blu s here; in 900m pass a memorial stone to

Choose your challenge

• Tough Mudder 5k: the classic course will host both newcomers and returning runners in the attempt to navigate 13 menacing obstacles and thick mud. A 5k like no other.

• Tough Mudder 10K: a monstrous run over 20 infamous obstacles. Participants have no choice but to trust their fellow mudder in an event that requires extreme levels of teamwork and determination.

• Tough Mudder 15k: veterans and newcomers willing to step up will face 30 obstacles across 15 long kms. You’ve been warned!

• Tough Mudder Infinity: an endurance run like nothing else on earth. Same obstacles, same course, but for what feels like infinity. The exclusive 50k club is looking for new members – could it be you?

• Lidl Mudder Adventure: for future obstacle course legends. Kids work as a team to conquer the mile-long mud bath. To register, visit toughmudder.co.uk/events/north-west/

Kitty on Bickerton Hill and then another 1km through birch woods to a lane at Bickerton Church. Go straight over the crossroads and past houses to the A534. Cross carefully to ascend the no-through-road almost opposite. Some 120m past Walnut House is a sharp walled corner with a fingerpost on right for Coppermine Lane. Take this path; turn left in 50m along the fenced way along woodland and lower pastures to Coppermine Lane. Head left up this; beyond Rawhead Cottage it levels out. Cross the main road with care – visibility is restricted. Follow the rest of the route, available free to Shire readers at www.ramblers.org and enjoy rising through woods to Bulkeley Hill, views to the Peaks, groves of huge, old sweet chestnuts and glimpses of Chester Cathedral, Beeston and Peckforton castles.