Staffordshire Way - Congleton to Leek (Day 5)

Monday 14th July 2025

Walking Diary (All Walks) Long Distance Walks Offa's Dyke to the Pennine Way Link Path 2025

Staffordshire Way - Day 5 - Congleton to Leek

A proper walk - finally !

We left Congleton in good spirits after a really good night out and enjoyed a bit of canal walking as we headed in the direction of the Staffordshire Way - our intention was to pick up this path and follow it to our next overnight stop which was to be Leek.

We soon realised that the Staffordshire Way and the Gritstone Way took more or less the same route in this area, and that The Gritstone Way was certainly very well signposted and maintained. So for most of the day we walked in lovely countryside without the overgrown paths with nettles, thistles, brambles and also without the fields of angry cows that we had become accustomed to on previous days further west.

We visited the high point of the area ‘The Cloud’ and then gradually descended to the old Leek railway line and Rudyard Lake.

A nice days walk with a night out in Leek with some live music to listen to.

Post Walk note - Unfortunately back home, my mother’s health had deteriorated whilst I had been away on this walk, so I made the decision to return home directly from Leek to be with her.

Myself and Dav have now planned a future re-visit to this long distance walk to complete the last two legs (Leek - Buxton - Edale). This will then fully connect our Offa’s Dyke to The Pennine Way and almost complete our end to end Lands End to Scotland overall challenge- nearly there, but still a few bits to do.

The information contained in the material on this Website is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice.
Distance: 15.5 miles
Duration: 6:15 hours
Ascent: 2096 ft
Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
Accompanied By: Davy

3D outline of route

Parking

Leaving Congleton, we pick up the Cheshire Ring Canal Walk again.

Congleton Viaduct in the distance.

Passing the occasional narrow boat - Apparently the canals may soon be closed due to the recent drought and low water levels.

Joining the Staffordshire Way or Gritstone Way (both actually) - The quality of path from now on was considerably better than we had experienced previously on both the Maelor Way and The South Cheshire Way. This was a proper walk and we were beginning to enjoy it.

After 4 days of intense heat, it looked like we may get a downpour, the temperature had dropped to a more comfortable 'mid-twenties' and we could just begin to feel the odd spot of rain.

However, it didn't materialised and our waterproofs remained in our bags.

Even wooden steps - we were walking in luxury !

Heading uphill towards 'The Cloud'. We could see this high ground from our guest house bedroom window - We tried to see our guest house from the top but as you can imagine, it was impossible.

Top of The Cloud.

Cracking views all round.

From the top of The Cloud, we could make out Congleton Viaduct and Manchester, way off in the distance.

Heading down from The Cloud, with even a finger posts to guide us for once - We still managed to follow a sheep trod instead mind.

Looking back up to the high point of the day.

More signposts! this is a luxury, here we are joining the disused railway as we leave the impressive Gritstone Trail and now follow The Staffordshire Way only.

Railway line walking for a couple of miles, good at first, but it soon becomes a bit 'samey'

Nice pub at Rushden Spencer, but our desperation for iced coca cola had diminished with the drop in temperature today - so we pressed on.

As we head into Cliffe Park, we see a strange sight - Other walkers !!!

This was weird, do we speak to them? it's been four and a half days and we haven't met anyone out walking (well apart from a bloke on an electric skateboard - does that count?)


Not in good nick, but this post still serves it's purpose.

Peering through the trees, we see the very low Rudyard Reservoir.

Nearing the end of the days walk we treat ourselves to another ice cream.

Cola and Ice Cream have been our staple diet over the last 5 days.

A last look back at Rudyard Marina as we carry on along the Staffordshire Way.

Following the course of the nearby River Churnet, we follow The Staffordshire Way through farmland.

We stopped for a while, as this lot we walking towards us as they were being rounded up by a farmer on his tractor, we kept our distance until they were moved up the hill towards the farm.

Arriving in Leek at the end of Day 5. We had been told by many that Leek would be a good night out.

The clock tower is one of Leek’s iconic buildings and known locally as the “Monument”.

We went to The Roebuck (The Titanic pub) for food on the evening and later on enjoyed some live music in their beer garden. A quieter night than we had expected - but it was a Monday after all.

As I said in the introduction, word came through that my mother was ill and I decided that under the circumstances I would depart for home in the morning, 2 days early. We hatched a plan to revisit later on in the year and finish off the walk and get to Edale via the Pennine Odyssey route - something to look forward to.

I will update this category when we have done those two remaining days.