GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Birches Valley

2 miles (3.3 km)

This circular walk visits the Birches Valley area of the Cannock Chase AONB.
The site includes a visitor centre, car park, walking paths, mountain bike trails and a Go Ape adventure park. You can find the centre just to the west of the town of Rugeley. From here you can pick up trails heading through the woodland to the pretty Fairoak Pools and the Stony Brook Pools. It's a delighful area with good footpaths and lots of attractive water features to admire.

Postcode

WS15 2UQ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Birches Valley OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Birches Valley Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Dog Walking

As you'd imagine the woodland trails are ideal for dog walking so expect to see other owners on a fine day.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

In nearby Rugeley you can pick up the Trent and Mersey Canal and follow the towpath to the splendid Shugborough Park. Blithfield Reservoir and the village of Abbots Bromley are also nearby.
Just to the south west you'll find the Hednesford Hills. It's an interesting place for a walk with heathland trails, a popular stock car race track and the Museum of Cannock Chase where you can learn all about the mining history of the area.
For more walking ideas see the Cannock Chase Walks and the Staffordshire Walks pages.

Photos

Birches Valley Visitor Centre, Cannock Chase - geograph.org.uk - 90038

Cyclists at the Birches Valley Visitor Centre, Cannock Chase

Forest Pool - geograph.org.uk - 545217

Forest Pool

Blue Water - geograph.org.uk - 545210

Blue Water

Fairoak Pool - geograph.org.uk - 244952

Fairoak Pool

Near Fairoak Lodge - geograph.org.uk - 277577

Near Fairoak Lodge

Stony Brook Pool - geograph.org.uk - 244948

Stony Brook Pool

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Birches Valley.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')