END TO END WALKS OF THE CANALS OF CHESHIRE AND STAFFORDSHIRE - 14, 17 AND 27 MILES.

ABOUT THE WALKS AND MY STORY -

In August 1985 I began walking canal towpaths with the idea of writing a book on them, I soon realised how vast the canal network is and my idea grew to three books, covenng my immediate area. Having completed Volume One on tbe Derbyshire and
Notlinghamshire area with more than thirty walks, my aim was to continue where that one left off, but again I underestimnated the scope and oow there will be five volumes! (Now more 30!). For this, Volume Two, I have walked more than 500 miles Jearmng the
canal secrets and discovering paths new to me. The attraction of canal walking, to me, lies in the fact that you can see at firsthand a transport system that was the forerunner to the motorway system today.

My aim has simply been to follow each canal from end to end doing a series of walks to illustrate the canal features and surrounding area in which they be. Whilst vou can always return the sameway back along the canal, 1 wanted to make the vast majority circular 1 show the canal in its setting. The Macclesfield Canal for instance passes
beneath the final Pennine Hills and I have included several walks up in to the hills providing stunning views of the arca. One of the joys of canal walking is you don't know what is around the comer—a quiet secluded inn, an old milepost, a series of locks, an aqueduct or a narrowboat coming along.

This book contains walks which include some of the canals finest architectural and engineering features, built  more than 200 years ago. These include the Marple Aqueduct and fight of locks, the Buxworth Canal Basin, the Bosley Locks, and the Harecastle  tunnel. The walks have given me endless pleasure and despite walking for six
months experienced no rain! I can only hope that these walks give you an added dimension to exploring the Cheshire and Staffordshire area on foot admidst some fascinating history and scenic beauty.

Three separate canal end to end walks - when ordering certificates and badges, please state which one!

Peak Forest Canal - end to end - 14.5 miles.

Macclesfield Canal - 27.25 miles.

Caldon Canal - 17 miles

The Trent & Mersey Canal is a separate book.

A5 Walk Guide. Wire bound and signed by John Merrill.

Canal badge and signed certificate by John Merrill, for each canal.

All walkers added to my Walkers Roll of Honour page.