Biddulph Valley Way, Cheshire & Staffordshire

This Mountain Bike route is almost all off-road and uses long stretches of the Biddulph Valley Way and Canal towpaths. It includes some great views of the local countryside including Whitfield Valley Nature Reserve and Chatterley Whitfield Country Park.
Parts of the Macclesfield Canal can be quite rough and rocky so I would recommend a Mountain Bike or Hybrid for this route.… read more

image/svg+xml Distance:

26

miles
Riding Time:

3-4

hrs
Total Ascent:

1200

ft
Difficulty:

MEDIUM

Route Guide

I started the route at Etruria on the Trent & Mersey Canal. However, as it’s a circular route you could potentially start the route from anywhere in Stoke-On-Trent. If getting to the route by car there is parking at Westport Lake and Bathpool Park.

We take a left on the canal towpath and then under a tunnel and up a short, steep incline. Continue along for a few hundred yards before taking a right at Etruria Junction. Follow the path around to the right and onto the Caldon Canal.

The surface is generally pretty smooth and wide enough, however it does begin to get quite narrow in places after a mile or so. There are some pleasant views of Hanley Park and also quite a bit of bird life on the water and sides of the canal.

After about 3½ miles take a right at the bridge, leave the towpath and join the road above the canal. Then take a right onto the National Cycle Network Route 55 which marks the start of the Biddulph Valley Way.

This dedicate cycle lane is smooth, wide and well sign-posted. You continue on this path following the signs and Route 55 markings on the floor. After a short distance you come across a large pond at Holden Lane Pools with nice views across the water.

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Pros

  • About 90%+ of the route is Off-Road
  • Lot’s of wildlife and some interesting features at Whitfield Valley Nature Reserve
  • Well surfaced trails allow it to be ridden mostly all-year round
  • Mostly flat, so will suit beginner/intermediate riders
  • Biddulph Valley Way is well sign-posted

Cons

  • Canal paths can get quite busy with walkers at weekends
  • Macclesfield Canal path gets very narrow in parts and some sections only suitable for mountain bikes
  • More experienced riders may find the flat gradient a little mundane
  • No technical trail features or fast descents

Other Mountain Bike & Off-Road Cycling Routes in Staffordshire
Barlaston Downs
Cannock Chase Trails
Silverdale Country Park
Hanchurch Woods

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