Chester: Upton - The Zoo - Croughton - Shropshire Union Canal - Upton (route 1)

This is a return walk - but partly circular, along good hard paths. Starting with urban streets in the northern suburbs of Chester, then along a bridle path through Chester Zoo with a good chance of spotting exotic animals. (The photo shows the elephant enclosure, which you can view without going through the turnstiles). The route then takes you along a very rural lane to Croughton with excellent views across the valley, returning along the canal towpath. In winter there may be water draining from adjacent fields over the towpath between sections 7 to 9. There is a long line of moored boats to admire here, before you finally return by walking back through the zoo. The walk can be shortened by half if too long - but you would miss the boats. This walk includes instructions for walkers from moored canal boats and is a longer version of walk 7816.

The walk is suitable for children, senior citizens, and everyone in between, also excellent for wheelchairs, buggies and dogs. Suitable footwear will be anything flat soled. The canal tow path is now called the 'North Cheshire Way' and is part of the cycling network, so look out for cyclists and joggers. At the first canal bridge you arrive at there is a bench seat on the canal bank. There are toilets in the pub at the start and finish along with a drink and good food. If you wish to sample their excellent grilled food after your walk you will need to book in advance. To see the menu and find the phone number Google 'Wheatsheaf pub, Upton, Chester'.

England - North England - Cheshire - Wirral

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12/19/2016 - Derek Smith

The walk instructions have been amended to remind future walkers of the water problem on the towpath.

1/17/2016 - Andrew Edwards

My Wife and me completed the walk today, directions good and clear. We chose this walk as there has been a lot of wet weather recently and we wanted something firm underfoot. It was easily navigable for the most part, but the canal path between the bridges 134 to 135 Way points 7 to 9 had stretches which had a fair bit of water on them, this was mainly water running off the fields into the canal, at one point it resembled a small stream flowing across the tow-path. Still we managed to get past with some care and enjoyed the walk. Saw some leopards and camels, and a vulture whilst passing through the zoo

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Walk id: 7424

Walk grade

Easy Walk

Length

4.4 Miles

Height gain

47 Metres

Duration

1 Hours 50 Mins

Average rating

Rated by 1 members

Dog rated by 0 members