Higher Burwardsley to Raw Head By richard
Waypoint 1. Grid reference SJ521565
The starting point is the lower car park at the Cheshire Candle Workshop where there is a Sandstone Trail information board. Exit the car park and cross straight over the junction where you will see Rock Lane leading off up the hill. Follow the lane until you see a Sandstone Trail signpost and gate leading off the the right.
Waypoint 2. Grid reference SJ525566
The walk leads off across several fields which can be quite muddy and slippery, so take care and wear good footwear. Some of the fields may also contain livestock so keep a safe distance away and keep and dogs under control.
Waypoint 3. Grid reference SJ525559
After the fields, a road comes in to view. Follow this a short way up the hill where another signpost leads off to the left along a track with a stone wall. This is still the Sandstone Trail.
Waypoint 4. Grid reference SJ524558
To the left will be a set of stone steps leading up the hill in to the forest. Keep following the track.
Waypoint 5. Grid reference SJ526552
Eventually the path leads around the the right as you enter a large clearer area with fewer trees. Also, if you take care and look down the hill to the left you will see an old railway track.
Waypoint 6. Grid reference SJ524550
This is Bulkeley Hill where there is a viewpoint looking southwards.
Waypoint 7. Grid reference SJ524550
Continue along the path and through the forest.
Waypoint 9. Grid reference SJ519550
At the other side of the field is Coppermines Lane. Cross over at the juntion following the sign for Raw Head Farm.
Waypoint 10. Grid reference SJ516552
Passing the track to the farm, keep going straight on until you see another gate on the left.
Waypoint 11. Grid reference SJ511552
The path becomes more maintained from here onwards. There are several footpaths leading off, but keep to the Sandstone Trail.
Waypoint 12. Grid reference SJ507548
After a while the triangulation point at Raw Head comes in to view. Although the Sandstone Trail continues south, this is the point where this walk turns back to retrace the route to Raw Head Farm.
Waypoint 14. Grid reference SJ517552
Then, just afterwards you will see a footpath leading off to the left. Take this turn, which is breaking away from the Sandstone Trail, then at the next sign, turn left to cross a large field heading off down a slope.
Waypoint 15. Grid reference SJ518554
The stile isn't visible at first but keep going. Then cross the next field as well.
Waypoint 16. Grid reference SJ516558
The path then takes a diagonal to the left before crossing another stile and across a small stream which can be quite muddy.
Waypoint 17. Grid reference SJ514560
After the stream, follow the curve of the field to the right. The signposts here seem to have vanished.
Waypoint 18. Grid reference SJ514563
Eventually you will come to another stile with a lane on the other side. Turn left to go up the hill.
Waypoint 19. Grid reference SJ514564
This is the village of Burwardsley where the church comes in to view. Turn right the the T junction to pass the church on your left. At the end of the road turn right up the hill.
Waypoint 20. Grid reference SJ520566
The Pheasant pub will come in to view and the car park at the start of the walk can be found on the right at the top of the hill. The views across the Cheshire Plain and towards the Mersey Estuary and Liverpool are fantastic on a clear summer evening.
(This could take a few minutes)
