This North Staffordshire linear walk starts in the village of Rushton Spencer near Leek and follows the Staffordshire Way to the summit of the Cloud. This local landmark offers some wonderful views across north Cheshire and north Staffordshire.
Calculated time: 2h50[?] 
Distance : 5.09mi
Vertical gain : 604ft
Vertical drop : 630ft
Highest point : 1083ft
Lowest point : 466ft 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Rushton (Staffordshire)
Starting point : N 53.159292° / W 2.097321° (D/A) The start is a small car park (grid ref. SJ936624) on the Staffordshire Way beside the Knot Inn which is reached off the A523 Leek to Macclesfield road. Note the car park is not the pub car park and actually lies on the of railway track bed that forms the long distance footpath in this area. After parking walk back to the road passing the old station to continue along the Staffordshire Way in a north westerly direction.
(1) After about a kilometre you reach a footpath sign on your left (grid ref. SJ930633). Descend and follow this signed path across meadows to follow the River Dane for a short section. Soon the path enters Ravensclough Wood. Continue through the wood which almost fills Ravensclough to reach an access road to a farm. Turn left up this lane to bearing right at a junction. So after take the signed footpath on your left (grid ref. SJ916635). Take this path across the hillside with improving views of The Cloud ahead.
(2) Reaching a lane (grid ref. SJ907636)turn left and continue up the lane to reach a footpath on your right. This leads without further problem apart from the steep initial section onto the moorland surrounding the trig point that marks the highest point of The Cloud.
(3) The return route follows the outward route although it is worth noting that views ahead certainly in the first half of the descent are excellent(D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 525ft - Small car park
1 : mi 0.66 - alt. 479ft - Reach a footpath sign on your left
2 : mi 2.17 - alt. 856ft - Turn left
3 : mi 2.55 - alt. 1083ft - The highest point of The Cloud
D/A : mi 5.09 - alt. 525ft
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
The Cloud is a gritstone promontory in North Staffordshire that many recognise but cannot name. From its summit wide views across the Cheshire Plain and the Cheshire and Staffordshire Moorlands that lie within the Peak District National Park can be enjoyed. This linear walk follows an out and back route starting from the village of Rushton Spencer.
Global average : 4/5
Number of opinions : 1
Description quality : 3/5
Routemap quality : 4/5
Walk interest : 5/5
Many thanks for your feedback. If you have any suggestions on how we can improve the walk description to make it clearer, please let us know.
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 07/06/18
Description quality
: Average
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
This is a lovely walk which we did on a perfect June day. It was a Thursday and we saw very few people. The pub at the start/end is a bonus and serves food.
The walk directions were fine on the whole but a bit cryptic at times and we were very uncertain at one point but worked it out by looking at contour lines. The best advice is to stick to the waymarks for The Staffordshire Way.
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10h15
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Starting point in Congleton - Cheshire The Gritstone Trail runs for 56 km through the Cheshire countryside, west of the Peak District, from Disley to Kidsgrove. This third stage picks up the trail at The Cloud, having left Congleton in a circular route using the Dales Valley Way and the towpath along the Macclesfield Canal to the aqueduct over the River Dale. The route passes Timbersbrook, Nick i' th' Hill, Cheshire's Close, Mow Cop and rejoins the Macclesfield Canal before following the Trent & Mersey Canal into Kidsgrove.
4.43mi
+630ft
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6.84mi
+1181ft
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4h10
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Starting point in Leekfrith - Staffordshire The Roaches are a popular place to walk offering dramatic views in this part of North Staffordshire. This walk includes Lud's Church a deep chasm that has some interesting historical connections.
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+1063ft
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5h20
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+610ft
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2h30
Easy
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5.44mi
+699ft
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3h05
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6.96mi
+692ft
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
