Gradbach - Wildboarclough - Three Shires Head - Gradbach

Phil and Sue Eptlett

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Starting from the Peak District National Park car park at Gradbach, between Leek and Buxton, the walk first passes Gradbach Mill now a Conference Centre and B and B, which was formerly a flax mill then Youth Hostel. The route then climbs out of the Dane Valley and over to the village of Wildboarclough in the adjacent valley. From this interesting village overlooked by Shutlingslow, a prominent peak nicknamed 'The Matterhorn of the Peak' because of its familiar shape, our way then climbs out across open moorland to drop back down into the Dane Valley and Three Shires Head. Here in a few short steps, we travel between the counties of Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. It is now a straight walk, following the River Dane for part of the way back to the start point at Gradbach.

England - North England - Cheshire - Peak District

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, River, Wildlife

11/22/2022 - Phil and Sue Eptlett

Re walked and brought up to date

10/18/2022 - Simon Worrall

Walked October 2022. Very pleasant walk along generally well maintained and signed footpaths. Great views of Shutlingsloe and sweeping views across the Dane Valley particularly attractive in autumn when the leaves are changing colour. Some changes since walk posted: NAVIGATION WP1/2 (SJ996661): The Youth Hostel has closed and the mill is now a conference centre. The tarmac driveway you follow down to the old flax mill now has large metal gates and is signed "Gradbach Mill". NAVIGATION WP13/14: The barn is no longer derelict with agricultural machinery parked nearby. The route stated through the farmyard (turn right immediately after passing the building) is NOT a public right of way. Walkers should continue a short distance past the barn to the top of the enclosed track and then bear right (at SK0074567707) onto the Dane Valley Way. This joins the farm track where it becomes a public right of way just before WP15. NAVIGATION WP15: the signpost is now missing (SK00692 67351) and the path is not obvious but as the track angles left the footpath heads off on a SSE heading where the grass footpath becomes more apparent towards WP16 where there is a Peak & Northern Footpath Society metal footpath sign. LIVESTOCK: Several fields along the walk are used to graze cattle (with calves at time walked) so proceed with caution with dogs on leads. CAR PARKING: The small car park at Gradbach (run by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust) is free but gets very busy and there is no roadside parking in the vicinity so get there very early to secure a space. An enterprising farmer has however posted signs directing cars to his nearby farm where 'overflow' parking costs £5 per day.

4/12/2010 - Patricia Daw

Tricia Daw 9/4/10 we enjoyed this walk very much - thank you. We particularly loved The Three Shires Head area - fabulous place.