Strolls on the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge – Stroll 2

Map in Duckington Car Park

The Start

Position 1

Position 2

Position 3

Optional Position 3A

Position 4

Position 5

Position 6

Stroll 2 – A Circular Stroll around Cuckoo Hill from the Duckington Car Park

Access: Drive to the Broxton Roundabout and turn left on the A534. At the top of the hill, turn right on the Old Coach Road. Turn left up a narrow lane just before there is a right turn to Meadow Lane. The car park is on the left at the top of this track.

Underfoot Conditions: A good path over sandstone, so well drained, with a few muddy places depending on the weather.

Length: About 1/2 an hour, plus any stops.

Click on the images to enlarge

Route:

Please read the map detail. You are walking on land maintained by the National Trust and should respect their recommendations and the Countryside Code.

Exit the Car Park by following the track to the north. On the left are views to the Clwydian Hills over the Dee valley. Proceed through the gate and up the slope. At the top, there is a horse training track to the left. Continue downhill on this track.

Through the gate at Position 1, turn right along the track. If you had gone straight ahead, you would end up in Brown Knowl.

Through another gate, and continue to Position 2.There are views to the left along the Cheshire Sandstone Ridge and the scarp in front has the Sandstone Trail on the edge. Take the right fork here.

Gradually the track rises into the wooded area. At Position 3 is more evidence of the effort required by the National Trust to keep the paths open after the recent storms. At the signpost on the saddle, turn right to climb up to the summit of Cuckoo Hill. If the last part of this ascent looks too steep or rough, follow the narrow path on the right at Position 3A, then fork left and left again to get to the top.

Turn left at the top to Position 4. The route is a right turn almost immediately down the hill as shown atPosition 5, but it is worth proceeding to the viewpoint. The view southward is towards Shropshire and the Wrekin and to the right is Wrexham and the Clwydian Hills .

Follow the narrow path down the hill from Position 5 through the gate at Position 6 and turn left. Follow the path as it descends to join the track back to the car park.

Enjoy the walk. As the name of the hill implies, cuckoos can be seen – but more often heard – throughout this stroll from April – September