A lovely walk at Castle Ring Cannock Chase

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If you’re looking for a quick and quiet walk on The Chase, this one’s for you! Located in the South of this AONB near the Hednesford Hills. Castle Ring Cannock Chase is an Iron Age Hill Fort which is over 2,000 years old. It is the highest point in the area offering some amazing views of the surrounding countryside.

Keep your eyes open on this walk for wildlife. I’ve seen some amazing Red Deer in the area.

Where to start the walk at Castle Ring Cannock Chase

The start point of this walk is a little tricky to find but it’s well worth the windy lanes to get there. You’ll park in the free Castle Ring Carpark, use postcode WS15 4RN.

Castle Ring Walk Route

Leave the carpark near the information point on the path furthest to the left. You’ll pass a little bench on the left.

Keep going along this path until it starts taking you downwards through some woods. Watch your footing here as the path is a little steep and bumpy.

You’ll eventually come out onto a much wider path. Turn right onto it. The views here across Cannock Chase are just amazing, make sure you take a moment to breathe it all in.

Keep going, keeping the woods on your right and the hills to your left.

You’ll pass some gorgeous trees in the forest (perfect for a quick climb) and colourful wildflowers depending on when you’re completing the walk.

Once you reach the bottom the path widens up further where they’ve been clearing some of the woodland. Just keep going until you get to a couple of yellow poles with a height restriction rope on top.

We tried going on through these but it’s a private fishing lodge at the bottom so before you reach the poles turn right, heading back up the hill. Follow the well maintained path up and up. It’s not too tough going but will probably get the blood pumping.

You’ll eventually get to the end of the path. It looks like it completely disappears into the forest. There is a narrow opening through the trees. You’ll have to fight off some brambles and duck under some branches but keep going.

We messed up a little here, having to trample through the woods in the general direction of the car park but if you walk all the way up to the fence of Beaudesert Outdoor Activity centre you’ll be ok. Keep the fence to your left and follow it till you get back to another well trodden path out of the woods.

Here you’re back onto Castle Ring you can either follow the path around the edge of it. Or fight your way through the ferns directly through the middle back to the car park.

You’ll exit the Hill Fort downs some wooden steps, past a tiny pool on your left and back to your car.

Alternative Route

For a much shorter walk around Castle Ring you could just follow the path around the outside of the fort. The trail is easy to follow with no steep hills or forests to fight through. Leave the car park up the wooden steps and the whole loop should take you around twenty minutes.

Route Details

Walk Duration: This walk at Castle Ring on Cannock Chase took us around an hour.

Castle Ring Walk Length: This one is around two and a half miles.

Walk Difficulty: We didn’t find this walk to be too difficult. There are some gradients to tackle but nothing too challenging. We only struggled when we got a bit lost in the woods. But if you stick to the narrow path you should be fine. This part however means the walk is not possible for anyone on wheels. I think kids would manage this walk just fine.

Facilities: There are no facilities on this walk. For great food and perhaps a pint after your walk, we love The Swan with Two Necks in the village of Longdon. It’s just a ten minute drive from Castle Ring.

Parking for Castle Ring: The car park for this walk at Castle Ring is free and a good size. We’ve never struggled to find a space. Closing times vary at different times of the year. They’ll be a sign on the gate to let you know. Use postcode WS15 4RN.

Make sure you join the Marvellous Midlands Walks Facebook Group where you can share your favourite routes, photos and recommendations for walks in the Midlands. It’s also a great place to ask for recommendations and find inspiration for your next hike.

Another short walk on Cannock Chase is this two miles along the well maintained Fairoak Trail. Or if you’re short on time but still want a good work out, this quick walk from Seven Springs Car Park involves plenty of hills to up your heart rate.

Have you visited Castle Ring Cannock Chase? Let me know in the comments.