Delamere Loop (35km) Print

A circular route following bridleways, quiet roads and permissive access in central Cheshire

Delamere Loop Waypoint 1
The loop runs from partway along the Whitegate Way round in a circle, taking in Delamere Forest, Primrosehill Wood, and Little Budworth Country Park. The route is largely on flat ground with gentle hills in its western area. To download a pdf of the route from the Discover Cheshire website, click here. The route comprises some 19km (12 miles) of surfaced roads (mostly without verges), the southern and western areas of the route comprising most of the road work. The rest of the route is ‘off-road’, along public rights of way and routes which are permissive. You should expect to share these routes with walkers and cyclists and in the case of roads and some permissive tracks, with motor traffic. Agricultural vehicles also use some of the off-road sections. Some of the off-road sections of the route can be wet during winter months. Directions start at the Whitegate Way car park but you can join at any point. Horse boxes should park at the far end near the toilet block. Turn left onto the Whitegate Way and continue along it until its northern termination at the railway bridge in Cuddington. Delamere Loop Waypoint 2
Go under the bridge and ride straight ahead, passing through the gate and across the bridge over the stream, through the trees up a slight incline. Then follow the public bridleway around the edge of the field until it emerges onto Cuddington Lane. Delamere Loop Waypoint 3
Turn left onto Cuddington Lane and continue, crossing the road junction onto Gallowsclough Lane (cross Stoneyford Lane/Cheese Hill Lane with care). Delamere Loop Waypoint 4
Continue along Gallowsclough Lane and when you reach a sharp right bend, go straight on along the track in front of you (cyclists must dismount here). This track bends to the left about halfway along and there are two horse stiles to negotiate. The track will bring you into Delamere Forest. Once you’ve entered Delamere Forest, you are free to explore the tracks as you wish, but if you want to follow the recommended route for horse riders this is waymarked and goes straight on towards the Whitefield car park. Delamere Loop Waypoint 5
Cross the car park and the road junction with care. Once across, you can turn either left or right around Blakemere Moss, following the specially waymarked trails for horse riders. If you prefer to take a more direct route, turn left around Blakemere Moss and continue along the track keeping the water to your right. Delamere Loop Waypoint 6
When you reach the junction of paths at the end of the Moss, turn left and then right. Turn left again and continue over the railway bridge. About 75m after crossing the railway, when you reach a junction of 4 paths, take the path ahead across a small stream. Once across, ignore the footpath to the right. The path ascends an incline with trees either side. Delamere Loop Waypoint 7
Turn right onto the track out of the trees and continue out of the forest to Grey’s Gate. Turn left up Yeld Lane, over the road bridge and straight on at the road junction, past the village of Kelsall. Follow the bend in the road to the left and enter the car park for Primrosehill Wood. Delamere Loop Waypoint 8
From the car park, follow the Delamere Loop waymarks through the woods. The route is about 3.5km and brings you out near Tirley Farm on Tirley Lane. Delamere Loop Waypoint 9
Turn right past the farm and take the first public bridleway on the left signposted John Street’. Go straight on at the cross roads with Smithy Lane/Wood Lane. Delamere Loop Waypoint 10
At the junction with Fishers Green, turn right, then left and then right again, back onto Utkinton Road. Go straight on over the road bridge and after about 20m, turn left into the path through the trees. Head along this path as it takes you parallel to the A49/Tarporley Bypass. Delamere Loop Waypoint 11
Turn right along Heath Green. At the end of Heath Green, go straight on over the junction and then left along Sapling Lane. At the end of Sapling Lane, in the middle of Eaton, cross straight over the road with care onto Lower Lane. Delamere Loop Waypoint 12
Turn left along Dogmore Lane past the village of Rushton. Bear right onto Rushton Lane past Oulton Park racing circuit until you come to the T-junction with Park Road. Delamere Loop Waypoint 13
Cross with care and take the right hand side one of the two restricted byways which run through Little Budworth Country Park, starting from the informal car park. The byway will bring you to the Coach Road; cross over with care and continue along the restricted byway. Continue past Whitehall Farm onto Whitehall Lane. Delamere Loop Waypoint 14
At the T-junction at the end of Whitehall Lane, cross the A54 with care and go straight onto Pit Lane, past Akesmere Farm. Bear left onto Longstone Lane and then right onto Shay’s Lane, past the woodlands at Abbots Moss. Delamere Loop Waypoint 15
At the junction with Clay Lane, bear left onto Clay Lane. Just before the road bridge with the traffic lights, turn right to return to the station car park for the Whitegate Way.