Distance: Approx 6 miles Time: Allow 3 hours

A walk incorporating canal towpath, disused railway line, farm tracks and minor roads.

Start near the Boat Inn (OS map ref 822201)

Walk down onto the towpath and head north past the Navigation Inn. After passing beneath the old railway bridge climb the steps up to the disused railway line, and head right in the direction of Newport.

Pass beneath 2 bridges (the 2^nd of which is the A518), and a further mile ahead just before the 3^rd overhead bridge turn left off the railway through the gap on the left, turn right to join the track which has come across the bridge. Turn left to follow the track uphill, through woodland and past some houses. When you reach a horse-shoe shaped T junction, follow the lane round to the left to join the road at Beffcote.

Turn left towards Gnosall but after 30 yards turn right onto a rough road, past a house called Befcote Croft which is on your left. Follow this lane round to your left, passing behind a farm, and continue straight across when you reach a cross roads of farm tracks.

The lane actually turns right into a field but you keep straight ahead on a grassy track, this turns into a narrower path with hedges on either side (this can be very wet & muddy after rain – wellies recommended). Follow the path until you reach the Cowley Lane at Goosemoor (OS map ref 823181)

Turn right along the road for 400 yards, past some houses. Just after a public footpath signpost for Wood Eaton on the left, climb the stile in the left hand hedge, and cross to another stile directly ahead on the far side of the field with a ditch in front of it.

Once across the stile, follow the edge of the field with the hedge to your left until you are level with a derelict building in the field to your left. Here you will be able to pass into this field, pass by the derelict building to your left and climb up onto the canal bridge ahead (Bridge Number 28).

From the bridge, walk down onto the towpath to your left and follow the towpath towards Gnosall. Pass through the impressive Cowley cutting ending in the 31 yard tunnel, and continue until you reach the bridge next to the Boat Inn.