GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Oakamoor Walks

5 miles (8.2 km)

The pretty Staffordshire village of Oakamoor makes a great base for exploring the beautiful Churnet Valley.
This circular walk makes use of the Staffordshire Moorlands Way and the Staffordshire Way to explore the wooded valleys surrounding the village. You'll first visit the lovely Dimmingsdale where there's a waymarked trail to follow along a series of streams and pools. The route then heads to the National Trust's Hawksmoor Wood Nature Reserve. The ancient woodland is located just to the west of the village and is a great place for wild flowers and wildlife spotting.
On the walk you'll enjoy nice views of the River Churnet and miles of peaceful woodland trails. The area looks particularly stunning in the autumn months.
To explore the Churnet Valley further head north to Froghall on the Staffordshire Way and you can pick up the towpath of the Caldon Canal. You could also visit the nearby village of Alton, home to the famous Alton Towers and the interesting Alton Castle.

Postcode

ST10 3AB - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Oakamoor OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Oakamoor Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Head to the Cricketers Arms for some refreshment after your walk. The pub is in a delightful riverside spot with views of the weir and waterfall from the lovely garden area. You can find them near the village church at a postcode of ST10 3AB for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The woodland and river trails on the route are ideal for a dog walk. The Cricketers mentioned above is also very dog friendly with water and treats available.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The village is also located close to the market town of Cheadle and the lovely Consall Nature Park where there's ponds, streams, easy woodland trails and fine views over the valley from the high points .
For more walking ideas in the area see the Staffordshire Walks page.

Photos

Oakamoor Village Centre - geograph.org.uk - 458933

Oakamoor Village Centre. The village lies in a steep wooded valley in the Staffordshire moorlands. At one time it was served by both a canal and a railway. The canal has long since gone but the railway track bed still exists. To the south the track is now a pleasant multi-user trail to Alton. To the northwest the it connects to the Churnet Valley preserved railway with the prospect that one day the line might be extended once more into the village.

Widened Bridge over the Churnet in Oakamoor - geograph.org.uk - 485504

Widened Bridge over the Churnet in Oakamoor. The bridge over the River Churnet in the village was built in 1710. It was widened to turnpike standards in 1778 as part of the Blythe Marsh to Thorpe Turnpike road.

River Churnet at Oakamoor - geograph.org.uk - 1325135

River Churnet at Oakamoor. Looking upstream to the channelled section

Dimmingsdale - geograph.org.uk - 129338

Dimmingsdale in all its autumnal glory showing one of the holding ponds built to hold water used in the adjacent smelting mill, now a private residence.

Oakamoor Station, Churnet Valley Line (Closed 1965) (geograph 6492666)

Oakamoor Station, Churnet Valley Line (Closed 1965). The station was opened in 1849 as part of the Churnet Valley Line constructed by the North Staffordshire Railway. The station remained open until 1965 when all services were withdrawn.

Limekilns - geograph.org.uk - 485511

Limekilns near the village. These lime kilns would have taken limestone from the quarries at Caldon Low, delivered via the nearby Uttoxeter Canal.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

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

Memory Map Route

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